Frequently Asked Questions
About LM Architectural Builders
We’re architectural builders who create better building experiences. Led by managing
director Leo Meredith, we collaborate with homeowners and architects to create awardwinning,
bespoke designed houses in Christchurch and Canterbury. We’ve been building
exceptional homes since 2013.
We focus on making sure our customers enjoy their building journey. We create better
building experiences by being easy to deal with, proactive, and by keeping projects on track,
on budget and on vision throughout. There are plenty of builders who can complete high
quality architectural homes – we do too. But what we really excel at is making sure our
customers love the process of getting there.
We build throughout Christchurch and Canterbury. From small-scale alterations to high end
architectural hill builds, our approach doesn’t change – we’re committed to helping our
clients realise their vision for their home and to love the process of getting there.
Leo established LM Built (now LM Architectural Builders) in 2013. Our team has over 10
years’ experience building high end architectural homes in Christchurch. We’ve built a
reputation for excellent customer service experiences and high quality finishes.
Yes, we’ve won multiple house of the year awards, including a national category award for
the Kowhai House in Oxford. These awards are a testament to our incredible team and the
quality of our work. Leo is immensely proud of this recognition.
Our Services
We specialise in bespoke architectural homes. We see the uniqueness in every build and our
emotional investment is the same, no matter the size of the project footprint or budget. We
collaborate with homeowners and architects to create sometimes award-winning, bespoke
designed houses.
Yes. Some clients approach us with a first concept, others have nothing more than an idea of
how they’d like to live. We can help develop a design for your project or partner with you
before you buy land, to give you the knowledge you need to confidently make a decision.
Absolutely. We have experience working with a range of architects and designers and know
the ins and outs of different designs, styles, techniques and features. We’ll use our
experience and eye for detail to spot opportunities to elevate your finished home.
We handle projects of all sizes, from small-scale alterations to high end architectural builds.
Our approach doesn’t change regardless of project size – we’re committed to helping our
clients realise their vision for their home.
When the build is done, we can sort your landscaping, from pools to soft plantings. We want
to help you create the complete vision for your home and outdoor spaces.
We have a dedicated quantity surveyor, Katherine Bennetts, on our team. She works directly with
architects, subcontractors and clients, providing financial oversight on projects. By having
this expertise in-house, we can complete cost checks without delay and keep our clients
informed about how their build is tracking against budget.
Our Building Process
We work closely with you through all stages of your build. During the design phase, we
figure out how to best use your budget to create your dream home. We utilise our quantity
surveyor to provide clarity on costs and budget. We don’t want you to have to compromise
on your dream halfway through – we want you to love your build from start to finish.
We utilise our quantity surveyor to provide clarity on costs and budget throughout the
build. Katherine has the skills and expertise needed to provide clarity on how a project is
tracking against budget. This helps alleviate stress and keeps projects moving. We can
analyse design concepts and provide costings for different options.
We keep our client communication on point and projects on schedule through our full
administration support. We have systems in place to reduce the chance of unexpected
surprises. Our approach is proactive – we stay ahead of potential issues rather than reacting
to them.
That’s perfectly fine. We can help develop a design for your project or work with you and
your chosen architect. No matter what stage you’re at, LM Architectural Builders can help.
We want you to love the process of building your dream home as much as we do.
Our quantity surveyor can quickly analyse any design changes and provide costings for
different options. We maintain clear communication throughout the process so you
understand the implications of any changes. Our goal is to keep you informed and confident
in your decisions.
Yes, we don’t overcommit. We limit the number of jobs we accept so we can always be
available when you need us. This ensures we can provide the level of service and attention
that creates better building experiences.
Quality and Standards
We’ve handpicked qualified carpenters and experienced foremen who know their stuff and
will share your passion for your project. We’ve built relationships with a trusted network of
subcontractors who work to the same high standards of service and quality.
We keep our sites clean and tidy so they’re safe for you to visit, and it’s how we hand over
your new home too – washed, spick and span. Site safety and cleanliness are priorities
throughout the build process.
Leo Meredith is a qualified builder and licensed building practitioner, as well as a registered
master builder. Our team includes qualified carpenters and experienced foremen. Katherine Bennetts has over 20 years’ experience as a quantity surveyor on residential and commercial
construction projects.
We use our experience and eye for detail to spot opportunities to elevate your finished
home. Our team’s passion and enthusiasm, combined with our systematic approach,
ensures consistent quality outcomes.
Our Team
Leo is our managing director – a highly experienced, technical builder who is well regarded
by clients, architects and subcontractors. He’s valued for his clear communication skills, his
workmanship and the passion and enthusiasm he brings to all our projects. Leo is a
qualified builder, licensed building practitioner, and registered master builder.
Our team includes Lisette Zonnebeld, who focuses on keeping projects on track and
enabling our building team to do what they do best. Clients value her level-headedness,
never give up attitude, and excellent customer service. We also have Katherine Bennetts, our
senior quantity surveyor, providing financial oversight.
Leo completed his carpentry training with an industry-leading firm specialising in
Christchurch hill builds and architectural projects. He established LM Built (now LM
Architectural Builders) in 2013. His experience and technical expertise make him wellregarded
in the industry.
We maintain a carefully sized team that allows us to provide personal attention to each
project. We’ve handpicked qualified carpenters and experienced foremen, with full
administration support to keep communication and scheduling on point.
Working Together
Contact us to discuss your project. No matter what stage you’re at, we can help – whether
you have a first concept or just an idea of how you’d like to live. We’ll work with you to
understand your vision and how we can help bring it to life.
We’ll discuss your vision, timeline, and budget. We’ll explain our process and how we create
better building experiences. We’ll also assess how we can best help you, whether that’s
design development, working with your architect, or planning your entire project.
As involved as you want to be. We believe in close collaboration and clear communication
throughout. We want you to love the process, so we’ll work with you to find the right level of
involvement that suits your preferences and lifestyle.
We’ll guide you through any decisions that need to be made, providing clear information
about options, costs, and implications. Our quantity surveyor can quickly provide costings
for different choices, helping you make informed decisions.
We maintain proactive communication throughout your build. Our administration support
keeps client communication on point and projects on schedule. We believe in keeping you
informed rather than leaving you wondering about progress.
Practical Information
We build throughout Christchurch and Canterbury. We’re familiar with the local conditions,
council requirements, and the unique opportunities that different areas present for
architectural homes.
Yes, Leo completed his training with a firm specialising in Christchurch hill builds. We have
extensive experience with the technical challenges and opportunities that hill sites present
for architectural homes.
From small-scale alterations to high end architectural builds. Our emotional investment is
the same regardless of project size or budget. We see the uniqueness in every build.
Project timelines vary depending on size and complexity. We’ll provide realistic timelines
during our planning phase and keep you informed of progress throughout. Our proactive
approach helps keep projects on schedule.
Yes, as a registered master builder, we provide appropriate warranties on our work. We
stand behind the quality of our construction and the relationships we’ve built with trusted
subcontractors.
We hand over your new home washed, spick and span. We can also arrange landscaping to
complete your vision. We’re available for any questions or minor adjustments as you settle
into your new home.
