the 'direct design' process
stage 1: in new zealand - PLAN AND PREPARE
Book Your Preferred Tour:
Your journey with Direct Design begins while you are still at home in Aotearoa New Zealand. In this stage, we help you choose the experience that suits your style, schedule and budget. Once you have reviewed our tour options - Individual, Couples, or VIP, and we've answered any questions you might have then go ahead and select the tour type and dates that best fit your plans.
Once you’ve decided, a 30% deposit secures your place on the tour and ensures your itinerary and arrangements start moving forward. At this stage, we also begin pre-trip planning: sending you our information guides, booking details and full itinerary. We also provide details on travel essentials, cultural insights, and what to expect in China, so you feel informed, confident and ready before departure.
Share House Plans, Design and Style Preferences:
We will also collect your house plans, style preferences, and design inspiration / preferences for sharing, to our China based design partners. This information allows our partner designers and engineers to start tailoring your experience and preparing options that perfectly match your vision. They will work to the exact specifications of your house plans.
This stage sets the tone for your entire journey - thoughtful, personalised and seamless, ensuring every detail is considered before you even step on the plane.
Consultation:
Even before leaving home starting with the project plan you provided, our partners will work directly with you to understand your unique requirements. They review your drawings, discuss your design vision, and establish priorities such as budget, production schedule and any specific custom product needs. You will have full access to their product catalogue and range allowing you to carefully craft your design plans. Our Direct Design team will support you online throughout this process, ensuring every decision aligns with your expectations.
Design Service:
Experienced engineers and designers from our partner network create custom engineering solutions tailored to your project. They provide detailed plans, 3D renderings and cost estimates. Our team is available to monitor progress, provide input, and make sure the design remains practical, visually exceptional, and aligned with your timeline and budget, (we do not insert ourselves as "middlemen", you get to work "direct" with the design teams).
The 3D rendering attracts various fees from our trusted partners, but is not expensive and is deducted from any final production costs once manufacturing is started.
STAGE 2: IN china - consultation and design
Consultation:
As soon as we arrive in country, starting with the project plans you prepared and provided from home you'll get to meet one on one with your in country design project manager to confirm your design vision, the budget, production schedule and any further custom product needs. You will walk the floors of our partners showrooms, looking, touching and feeling for yourselves the amazing product ranges that you have selected and that are available to you. Our Direct Design team is present with you on the floor, available for advice, answering questions, and ensuring every decision aligns with your expectations.
Design Service:
Our partner engineers and designers will be looking for you to finalise and confirm the custom engineering solutions they have tailored to your project. Here you will make any alterations, additions, or changes needed - this is your time to push the design project to meet every dream and expectation you have. Our team is on hand to monitor progress, provide input, and make sure the design remains practical, visually exceptional, and aligned with your timeline and budget, but we do not insert ourselves as "middlemen", you get to work "direct" with the design teams.
Design Approval & Contract:
Once your design is finalised and approved by you, a contract is signed directly with the partner and a 50% deposit is paid to them before production begins. At this stage, you will also visit the factories and manufacturing plants to observe how your selections move through production, understand detailing, quality standards and packaging. Once the deposit is paid and your factory visit is complete, you can rest confidently in the knowledge that your dreams are literally being "made" a reality.
Shipping and Logistics Introduction:
As part of your journey with us, you will be introduced to our trusted China based shipping and logistics partners. They will guide you through the entire shipping process so you understand each stage, including documentation, handling procedures and timeframes. Their quality assurance processes are rigorous and carefully managed. Every item is checked against order specifications, photographed and verified before loading. Their team follows strict protocols for fragile and high value products, ensuring the highest level of care is applied from the factory floor to the export warehouse. This partnership provides confidence that your order is handled with accuracy, transparency and professionalism before it begins its journey to New Zealand.
Stage 3: Packaging, Logistics & Installation
Packaging and Pre-Shipping Preparation:
Before shipping, our manufacturing partners will require the final 50% payment. At this stage, the pre-shipping phase on the ground in China is fully implemented. Every component of your order is checked, barcoded, packaged, and detailed installation instructions are prepared to ensure a smooth process on arrival. The logistics team applies their expertise to handle fragile and high-value items, creating custom packaging solutions tailored to each product.
Shipping and Customs:
Once packaging and preparation are complete, your carefully curated products are shipped to New Zealand. Our Partners who you have met manage the end-to-end logistics, including customs clearance, duties, excise and GST, with experts ensuring all regulatory requirements are met. Products are delivered safely and securely direct to the port in New Zealand. This stage ensures your premium selections transition from the factory to your doorstep with precision, quality, completing the journey from design to delivery.
NZ Customs Brokers and Delivery to you:
When your shipment arrives in New Zealand, our trusted customs brokers take over the final stages of the process. They manage all import requirements on your behalf, including customs clearance, payment of duties, excise and GST, inspection coordination and the release of goods from the port. Their role is to ensure every document is accurate and compliant with New Zealand regulations so there are no delays or unexpected issues, and that you do not have any unexpected costs.
Once clearance is complete, they will request payment from you, arrange secure transport from the port directly to your nominated address. Their oversight ensures your products move seamlessly from arrival through to final delivery, giving you peace of mind that everything is professionally managed right through to the end of the journey. (We can introduce you to our preferred NZ based partners or you are welcome to select and work with your own customs broker).
Installation Guidance:
When your products arrive, they come with full installation instructions and guidelines. You will also have ongoing access to the after-sales team who can provide all-round installation instructions and guidance to you, or your builder.
stage 1 - Pre tour (in NZ)
Choose your tour, pay your deposit, and share your house plans and preferences.
stage 2 - in china
Handpick interiors and finishes with partners, review 3D designs, and approve selections while our team guides the process.
Step 3 - post tour (back in nz)
Partners prepare, package, and barcode all items, manage shipping, customs, duties, GST, and deliver to your address.
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