After researching the building industry she decided many of its leaky home-type problems happened because project management was done by builders rather than project managers with a wider range of skills. Typically hiring a project manager added 7 per cent on construction costs and many people chose not to pay for it.
Her business covered all aspects, she said, and didn't charge an extra fee for management.
Launched in 2008, it had so far built a variety of its SmartHomes in Wanganui and Palmerston North. Among their sustainable features were rainwater harvesting, maximum insulation and natural cross-ventilation, solar hot water and the use of certified sustainable timber.
The houses could be built anywhere in New Zealand, Ms Harding said.
"We handpick our designers, builders and subcontractors and that gives us total control of the type and quality of the service that we provide."
She'd like to be involved with settlements that have their own wind and solar power, harvest rain for their water and treat their own sewage and greywater.
The recession had made business a bit slow, she said, but that had given her valuable time to develop systems.
She designed and oversaw the building of her own house in Turere Pl on St John's Hill. It's the base she works from, and it won the Master Builders House of the Year supreme award in 2008, as well as awards for sustainability and energy efficiency.
Its design maximises winter sun for heating, has hydronic underfloor heating using water warmed by a heat pump and it is well sealed and insulated.
Brought up in Wanganui and having returned eight years ago, Ms Harding has a dual passion for business and for sustainability.
She has an MA in politics, and had taken a special interest in environmental politics. She's also been involved in marketing, human resources and distribution.
