The Step Most Miss — But Our Mount Clients Say Made All the Difference

When Catie and her family decided to build at the Mount, they wanted the process to feel less stressful — and more enjoyable. Instead of following the traditional path of designing first and worrying about who would build it later, they chose to bring their interior designer, architect, and the Thorne Group build team together from the very beginning.

That decision made all the difference. Because the design and pricing were developed side by side, there were no nasty surprises later on. Just a few minor adjustments were needed to bring the budget into line with expectations, while the design itself stayed true to what Catie had imagined. “I felt like we got a gold star,” she laughs. “There was so little we needed to change in the end.”

It’s a step many homeowners miss. Most assume that shopping around for a builder and putting their plans out for tender will deliver the best price, but often the real savings happen much earlier — long before plans are ready for consent.

“Budget blowouts seldom start on site,” explains Aaron Thorne. “It’s the details you don’t always see — the sequencing, the materials, the methodology and finer points of design — that can have the biggest impact on cost.”

That’s where experience matters. Aaron’s years of experience in the industry means he’s assessed hundreds of Bay of Plenty sites, from beachfront sections to rural blocks with no services. He knows how to interpret geotechnical reports, spot risks early, and point out the impact that council requirements can have on a client’s budget.

Once the design process is underway, co-director Gavin Morrow applies his expertise, particularly in complex builds. By working closely with architects, he helps refine detailing to optimise materials and labour — keeping costs in check without compromising the design intent.

“We essentially have two clients,” Aaron says. “The homeowner and the architect. Both want the design protected and the budget respected. Without early and ongoing pricing checkpoints, it’s almost impossible to know where things will really land.”

This philosophy underpins Thorne Group’s Architecture + Build service — a wraparound model that brings architects, designers, and construction specialists together from day one. It means modifications can be made while the design is still easy to adjust, not once it’s too late.

Backed by nearly 20 years of continuous improvement, the team has refined their systems for both coastal and rural builds — both on and off site — to develop smoother processes, avoid surprises, and deliver better outcomes. “Every build teaches us something,” says Gavin. “We carry forward these lessons into the next project, constantly evolving and improving.”

For homeowners like Catie and her family, it adds up to a calmer journey - with budgets protected and the design integrity intact.

When one of our clients — and podcast host — Catie from Super Creative sat down with Aaron, she asked the tough questions most people never think to ask. From pricing to the nitty gritty of due diligence, it made for a refreshingly candid conversation.

👉 [Watch the full podcast here]