Southern response- payment of professional fees

In Ginivan & Ors v Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd [2018] NZHC 2403 the High Court considered an application by home owners of a house being rebuilt for orders requiring Southern Response to pay specified expert engagement expenses because Southern Response apparently refused to pay the costs of building experts suggested by the homeowners.  The homeowners proposed using Warren & Mahoney as architects.  Its price for plans and related architectural work was $195,000.  Southern Response regarded the fee as unreasonable and got a price from Eco Workshop for $114,000.  The policy provided that Southern Response would pay the reasonable costs of any architects to rebuild the house provided that Southern Response approve the costs before they are incurred.  The Court decided that the homeowner had the right to choose the architect, but the costs must be objectively reasonable.  It put in place a process for consideration and payment of fees.