Editorial Feature : 18 May 2026

WALK THROUGH YOUR DREAM HOME RENO OR NEW BUSINESS FITOUT - BEFORE IT IS BUILT

The Small Business Project is a weekly series that shines the spotlight on Kiwi small businesses doing interesting and unusual things in their industries.

This article was originally published in The Post - Link
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Wellington business owner Paul Harvey, founder of 3D home planning service citizenCAD, was a former architectural technician before he went out on his own. Working with computer-aided design or CAD models in his day job, and for the past three weeks working on the business fulltime, Harvey tells Aimee Shaw he could see a gap in the market to put designing in the hands of homeowners planning their next renovation.

What has your venture set out to achieve?

The business was set up to give clients the ability to play with a digital 3D model of their house to reduce the time and money spent on home alterations. We supply an industry-level and site-measured digital model of an existing home that users can manipulate, explore and express personal design ideas through computer design software on their computer. The service allows home owners to play with options before engaging architectural services so if they've got designs in their head, they can see that in 3D beforehand.

I had this idea in the back of my head when I was working at an architecture practice. After I left the business, I spent eight to 12 months seeing if the idea was viable as I worked freelance projects. I ran some trials, and I kept ticking boxes to see if it was something that could work. People I spoke to thought that it had value, so I launched the business last September at a trade expo in Wellington.

How much time and money have you invested?

I spent two years working on the business until now and the investment has been under $10,000. This is my first business, so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about different aspects of video and website creation, the art of communicating the idea effectively and more; a lot of business admin.

What’s the biggest challenge your business is facing?

The challenge is that we’re a novel, new service. For me to fulfil the business idea I had at the start to a satisfactory level, but not knowing exactly what the form [of that business] will look like, I need to keep an open mind as to the possibilities of what the business can be, and who it can serve. It might be people we weren't necessarily targeting when the business was conceptualised.

For example, at the trade expo someone came up to me about providing the service for a yet-to-be opened cafe, so I could model the existing space, and they could add custom furniture and look at optimising the layout. I did provide that service. It was something I wasn't necessarily targeting at the start, but it’s a good opportunity and market that I can now actively advertise to.

What’s the biggest issue affecting your industry?

Changing technology. Our intention is to establish ourselves as a market leader in providing an achievable pathway for people outside the industry to use the latest technology, for people who haven't trained in architecture or design to express their design ideas, but what apps we provide in the future is unknown as there are many regularly changing factors and new tools coming to the fore.

What’s next for citizenCAD?

We've had six clients to date, and the focus is to push awareness. The original intent of the business was for homeowners or potential homeowners, but targeting commercial clients is also a focus now. We’ll target new businesses, hospitality and retail clients to give owners an ability to have a look at the space before they decide which architect they wish to engage. The focus is to make the architect and client feel they're both communicating their ideas, maybe as an advancement beyond what is typically done, where people come in with a written set of requirements and perhaps a pen and paper sketch. A standard house model costs $1000 excluding GST, and part of the service includes a second model that can be given to the architect to use when building the documentation.

What’s one thing you wish you’d known before starting the business?

Be constantly proactive. To begin with I designed and published a website, and created a service video for YouTube, thinking people would discover us. It being my first business, you hold this optimism, but I’ve learnt continuously pushing awareness in all channels, both digitally and in-person, is really important.

Most helpful piece of advice you have received?

Take a step back from thinking as the business owner and more about why potential clients would engage your services - and how you can help them.

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Author : Aimee Shaw

Aimee Shaw is a senior business journalist based in Auckland, and specialises in retail and consumer-focused companies and small business