Thorne Group

Our Process

Chat With Us
Visit our showhome or make a time to sit down with our Client Care Manager and discuss ideas for your new home. Our Client Care Manager will be with you every step of the way, supporting you throughout the consultation and planning phase. We aim to make it a fun, stress-free experience from the outset.

Your Brief & Budget
Every Thorne Group home is uniquely designed. You can choose to work with our multiple award-winning Architectural Designer (Jon McAlpine - Thorne Group Architecture) or select your own. To establish your brief and budget and ensure our design is in line with your vision, we will send you a link to our My Home Planner assessment questionnaire. This will prompt you to think about the way you live, what you like about your current home and what you would like included in your new build.

Concept Sketch From multi-award winning architectural designer - Jon McAlpine
This phase involves engaging the services of Jon McAlpine (our Architectural Design partner) to produce a draft floor plan and elevation sketch for your proposed build project. Or you are welcome to bring your own plans to us for pricing. Based on the initial concept you will be given an indicative cost range. Although only an indication, in most cases final pricing is within close range of the initial estimate.

Design
After reviewing and refining the design concept, Pricing Plans are produced. With the additional design detail included with Pricing Plans, we are able to provide a more accurate estimate of the cost to build your home. Once Pricing Plans are completed you will be presented with a full Build Proposal.

Working Drawings
Next, we prepare full working drawings which are the nuts and bolts of how your home is constructed. Every junction, join and surface of the home is detailed.

Building Contract
Our Master Build Residential Building Contract consists of all supporting information for your home: geotechnical and structural engineering reports, developed floor plans and elevations, product selections, kitchen layouts and payment schedule. All building contracts have a fixed price and, in most cases, include provisional sums for items such as flooring, bathroom fittings, kitchen and interiors.

Building Consent
The full working drawings, along with other required documents are submitted to council for approval. This process usually takes between 4-5 weeks.

Selections & Fittings
While we wait for building consent, we arrange for you to meet with our interior designer and other specialists to select paint colours, bathroom fittings, finalise kitchen design, flooring and tiles etc. This is the fun part where your vision for your new home starts to become a reality.

Construction
Prior to construction commencing you will be introduced to your dedicated Project Manager who will work alongside you and our build team to achieve the best quality and workmanship for your home.

Your Project Manager will keep you up to date on what is happening on-site each day, right through to your move-in day. You will have access to your own secure website (Buildertrend) where you can stay up to date on progress, track any contract variations, and view photos as your new home takes shape.

Handover and Ongoing Care
Upon completion of your home, we apply to the Council for the Code of Compliance to be issued. Moving into your new home is a reason to celebrate but it is not the end. We are proud of the Thorne Group reputation for quality but understand that sometimes issues crop up as you settle in.

We keep in regular contact once you move in, correcting any defects during the aftercare period (12 months from completion), and then provide ongoing support throughout the 10-year Master Build Guarantee period. We are always available to help with any concerns you may have – just give us a call!

Our Quality

We have achieved a reputation for outstanding quality, often going above and beyond to achieve exceptional results, which has been recognised in the Registered Master Builders’ House of the Year competition. We have accomplished this by honing our procedures throughout the entire build process. In a number of instances, our best practice processes are unique to Thorne Group. This includes the way we box up the floors through to the finishes touches on the home. It’s an accumulation of dedication, perseverance and years of collective experience. We invite you to discuss these specific ‘best in industry’ processes with our directors.

​Our fastidious approach to quality is one of the many reasons word-of-mouth has built our business. Irrespective of budget or scope, we never compromise. We have one project manager and one lead builder working on your home, which is surprisingly unique in this industry. We don't outsource aspects of the build to different builders. We believe having a dedicated team on your home from start to finish creates a passion and sense of pride in workmanship from each individual who works on your home. 

Working with the best in the business

Over the years we have established amazing relationships with our suppliers. Regardless of budget, we ensure the very best people are working on your job, some of who work exclusively for Thorne Group.

​We have rigorous review processes that consistently assess our sub-contractors to ensure they’re working within our very strict quality control parameters. This means you have the assurance that only people who are experts in their respective areas are working on your home. Each one shares our values and commitment to fastidious quality. There is a huge difference in the quality of workmanship within the market – quite simply, we only work with the best.

World-class management system

Thorne Group uses a world-class project management system that provides each client with their own customised webpage with a secure login. Within this, clients can stay updated on the status of their home, throughout the full development process.

​This includes

• regular logs from the project manager
• comprehensive build schedule from dig out to move-in day
• to-do lists and meeting minutes
• regular photos of the house build
• access to relevant documents including build contract, selections, contracts, guarantees, and warranties

Our vision is to “Exceed expectations every time"
This vision applies to the homes we build, our quality, our service and our people.

Innovation
Provides a pathway to a better future. Our promise – We will seek creative ways to solve problems, produce unique designs, minimise waste and care for our planet.

Humility
Is recognising that success is a collective effort. Our promise – We will work in partnership with you, be approachable, listen and respect your perspective.

Trust
Takes time to earn and is easy to lose. Our promise – We will be open and honest, keep our promises and always do the right thing.

Family
This is how we got started and what continues to drive us. Our promise – We will deliver quality homes worthy of carrying our family name – that is our legacy. 

Dedication
Is working hard to deliver our best. Our promise – We will provide great service, maintain high standards, pay attention to detail and meet our commitments. 

Meet the Directors
“While each of us has a very diverse background, cohesively the team works incredibly well together. Each of us brings a different skillset. All of us have families and kids, therefore family is our priority and is one of our pillars that form our values. Essentially, we work in a way that we hope will make our kids proud of us. This means always staying true to our values and doing what is ethically right. This core pillar filters down to the way we operate on a daily basis but also how we plan our long-term vision.”

​ - Gavin, Aaron and Peter

Aaron Thorne: Managing Director
Aaron is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Thorne Group. After graduating with a business degree Aaron has spent over twenty years in and around the building and development industry, with a particular passion for project management.

Aaron has a reputation within the marketplace for being an exceptional project manager. It is his understanding of the process, control, and how resources can be allocated effectively that ensures the focus remains on the client. We suggest you don’t take our word for it but, instead talk to suppliers and clients who have built with us.

Gavin Morrow: Construction Director
Gavin qualified as a builder over 25 years ago and has overseen Thorne Group’s construction team since joining in 2007. Working on some of the world’s best home in London many years ago inspired Gavin’s passion to work on homes with exceptional architectural detail. Gavin channels his passion now by coming up with best-in-industry solutions for every aspect of the build process.

Peter Buck: Executive Director
After graduating with a Bachelor of commerce Peter worked for global fund managers for 10 years, based in Sydney and London. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2005 Peter joined the family business. Peter now oversees Thorne Group’s development and investment strategy with a particular focus on collaborating with like-mindeddebt and equity partners to generate value through creativity and quality.

Jon McAlpine: Director of Thorne Group Architecture
Jon McAlpine creates what can be called ‘conscious architecture’ – bespoke designs which have a life beyond a material manifestation. And these designs have won him awards every year he’s been in business. As the driving force behind Thorne Group Architecture, his impressive portfolio of striking new builds and transformational renovations have been recognised both regionally and nationally. Always committed to catering to the needs of his clients, Jon brings a humble, approachable nature to architectural design, one that now sees him also play a significant role in minimising environmental impact.

Exceptional Project Managers
Building should be enjoyable. To ensure a seamless building experience, it is critical to have an experienced project manager. At Thorne Group, your personal project manager will ensure everything happens on time and to plan. It is not only quality and design we are renowned for within the market, it is also the client experience. This is why we have incredibly loyal clients. We provide a detailed project timeline for each job which allows us to establish a completion date well ahead of time. We are committed to adhering to the agreed move-in date while ensuring we don’t compromise along the way on construction quality.

What type of homes do The Thorne Group specialise in?
Actually, this is the most difficult question to answer. One of the most unique things about a Thorne Group home is that we do not have a particular ‘type’. We build homes across a range of styles and budgets from affordable, small-but-smart homes through to large-scale, complex projects. We cater for all tastes from modern-contemporary to more traditional homes. What we are passionate about is applying the same quality standards regardless of the size of the home and sourcing the best materials to ensure the client achieves the exact look and feel of the home they are seeking.

Do you work with first home buyers?
We do not specialise in working with first home buyers but are happy to chat about your requirements to see if we can assist. Our House & Land Packages can be a good option for buyers entering the property market or investors looking for a rental return.

How long has Thorne Group been in business?
We have been in business since 2006 and have decades of experience between us. Word-of-mouth has built our business, which speaks volumes about our client satisfaction. We have an abundance of testimonials available and encourage you to speak with any of our previous clients.

Is Thorne Group Architecture separate from Thorne Group Design and Build?
Thorne Group Architecture is a separate entity and was formed in 2015 to provide architectural design expertise to Thorne Group. Our partnership enables us to offer a one-stop design and build service under the same roof. As a separate entity, Thorne Group Architecture can work directly with clients to produce plans only. Likewise, Thorne Group Design and Build are happy for you to select your own Architectural Designer or bring your own plans to us for pricing.

At what point should l contact the Thorne Group if l am considering a design and build option?
Whether you already have a site, have found a site you are interested in or are considering subdividing, this is the ideal time to make contact. We offer a complimentary onsite visit and can assist with your due diligence. If you prefer to build on one of our available sections or purchase a ready-build home, make sure you check out our For-Sale Listings page.

Does the cost of an architecturally designed Thorne Group home cost more than a set plan?
Rather than taking a set plan and adjusting it (often with costly results), we take a start-from-scratch approach and create an original design to suit your site and budget. While the architectural design cost might mean you invest a little more upfront, this is generally recouped through improved efficiencies in the construction. We will always discuss likely costs with you from the outset.

Are Thorne Group more expensive than other build companies?
No, not when you compare like for like. It can be very tricky when comparing pricing, so we recommend seeking advice to be sure you have a good understanding of what you are paying for. The Thorne Group brand represents quality and value. All components that go into our homes are of enduring quality and high standard. We always strive to be price competitive but will never compromise quality over price.

What if l don’t have a clear idea of what l want?
You have come to the right place! In our initial meeting, we will get to know you better, starting with how you like to live, what you like about your current home and what you would like included in your new home. Our talented design team will then develop a concept to fit your taste, budget and site. When it comes to choosing colours, fixtures and fittings, our interior designer will help guide your selections.

What is the process?
The idea of building a home can be daunting. We have broken down the process into key stages, so you know what to expect – refer to Our Process

How long does it take to build a new home?
This is very dependent on the scale and complexity of the project as well as the workload and time of year. As a rough guide, for an average sized family home, we recommend you allow 4-6 months for design, planning and consent then a further 4-6 months for construction. For homes with more complex structures and details, we can discuss this with you.

Do you manage everything?
Yes, we aim to make building a fun, stress-free experience from the outset. We will manage everything for you, from plans and consents through to cleaning and putting the finishing touches on your home, ready to move in.

Who will be my everyday liaison?
Our Client Care Manager will take care of you throughout the design consultation and planning phase. Once construction of your home is underway your Project Manager will be your everyday liaison. Your Project Manager will keep you up to date on what is happening on-site each day, right through to your move-in day. You will have access to your own secure website (Buildertrend) where you can stay up to date on progress, track any contract variations, and view photos as your new home takes shape.

How much am l involved in the process?
You can be involved as much or as little as you wish. Each project has differing levels of client involvement. On some projects we see and speak to our clients more than our families - others prefer to have much less input. Whatever way you like to work is fine by us!

Who will be working on our site every day?
Every site is allocated a qualified and licenced foreman and depending on the size of the project any number of builders under their stewardship. This means that you have the peace of mind knowing that your home is being built by qualified and experienced staff. In addition to our qualified on-site staff, your Project Manager will visit the site regularly to go through a detailed checklist and oversee the build process.

Do you use specific subcontractors on a regular basis?
Our business is built on the back of years of practical experience in the trade. This has allowed us to carefully select a team of builders, suppliers and tradespeople who we know to be hard-working, fastidious and dedicated to our vision of building top quality homes.

What are PC Sums?
PC refers to ‘Prime Costs’. This refers to an allowance for specific items that have not yet been selected by the client. For example an allocated amount for the kitchen, electrical, flooring selections or plumbing. Our PC sums are realistic and based on quotes from our suppliers for selections that they recommend to suit the style and size of the home. In the majority of cases, selections made by the client fall comfortably within the range allowed.

What if l change my mind about something?
It is not uncommon to change your mind on what you want once a building project is underway. These changes are called variations. Our job is to be flexible and accommodate changes whilst ensuring you stay well informed of any cost implications. Have a chat to your Project Manager about any changes as soon as possible.

Do you guarantee a fixed price contract price? What happens if it goes over?
Yes, we guarantee that we will not go a cent over the agreed price. Our contract price is for the entire job as set out in the contract specifications. There are no surprises or extra costs unless of course, you make subsequent changes to the plans, specifications or make selections that are outside the range allowed for within the PC sums.

Do you guarantee a fixed price contract price? What happens if it goes over?
Yes, we guarantee that we will not go a cent over the agreed price. Our contract price is for the entire job as set out in the contract specifications. There are no surprises or extra costs unless of course, you make subsequent changes to the plans, specifications or make selections that are outside the range allowed for within the PC sums.

What after-sales service does Thorne Group provide?
Our family name is on every build and we feel this is the best guarantee on the market. Not only do we offer the 10-Year Standard Master Build Guarantee, but our team of builders and subcontractors also stand behind their work. We keep in regular contact once you move in, correcting any defects during the aftercare period (12 months from completion), and then provide ongoing support throughout the 10-year Master Build Guarantee period.