Did you daydream about the changes you’d love to make to your home during lockdown? Have a list of your favourite renovation ideas but unsure what your budget will get you? Let’s talk through why now’s a good time to renovate in
Auckland and what bang you’ll get for your buck.

The good news is interest rates are at an all-time low, and restrictions on mortgage lending have been lifted by the Reserve Bank in a bid to keep money circulating and help our economic recovery.

It’s an ideal time to renovate and increase the value of your home but what does $30k or $200k get you? Let’s find out.

How far will your renovation budget take you?

For $30k – $50k you could . . .

• Create an entirely new kitchen space that better suits your lifestyle. You could go open plan, give yourself that butler’s pantry to hide the kitchen clutter (and create more storage), and change the flooring, layout and cabinetry if you want to.
• Reconfigure under-utilised spaces in your home to create a small home office, reading nook or play space for the kids.
• Renovate and reconfigure existing spaces to create a larger bathroom (and/or add a separate toilet so you can shower in peace!), a new laundry space and new storage.
• Redo your roof if it’s looking tired/dated/leaking or causing structural issues. This could include adding skylights to get that all important light into dark hallways.
• If you want to focus on the outdoors, you could build a new deck with shelter, such as a Flexiroof with blinds.

For $100K – $200K you could . . .

Combine a couple of the above options or convert your garage into another bedroom, add a small extension to create more living space, or reconfigure your existing layout to better utilise the space you have.

For $200K – $400K you could . . .

Carry out a complete renovation of your existing property. This could involve re-roofing, gutting the inside to give your home a refresh (including insulation and rewiring), brand new joinery and a paint job.

For $400K – $500K you could . . .

Complete a large extension to your home, adding to your existing floor plan and creating new spaces for your family to grow. Depending on your existing layout (and priorities) you could create a master bedroom with ensuite, new living spaces, extend the kitchen, re-clad the exterior – the list goes on. A rough guide for an Auckland home renovation per square metre is around $3,000, depending on the level of finish.

For $600k+ you could . . .

Add a whole second storey and do a complete interior and exterior renovation! Many of our clients come to us because they outgrow their homes. If buying a new property isn’t an option, why not use the money to transform your existing home so it has everything you want and need. With that budget, the options are endless, and the first step is having a chat with a qualified, experienced building company (like us… we had to say it!).

Ready to see what our Auckland teams can do with your renovation budget? We’ll take you through the whole process, from design to completion, and turn your daydreams and Pinterest boards into reality.

Contact us today!

Bamboozled by the decisions you’ll have to make while renovating your property in Auckland? What changes should you make to your home? Who’ll help you bring your ideas to life? What finishes and features will stand the test of time and what’s just a passing trend? So many options! How do you decide?

With over 20 years building experience in Auckland, we’ve seen it all. The below guide will help you decide what’s worth investing in and what’s not, when you’re looking to renovate your Auckland home.

SAVE money by keeping things where they are

Do you really need to move your bathroom across the other side of your house? Do you really need to change all rooms of the house, or can you create a clever design with your existing spaces and footprint? Anything’s doable when renovating or extending but by keeping your plumbing and electrics largely where they are, and certain rooms “un-touched” you’ll keep your tradie and materials bills in check. Opt to reconfigure your existing spaces so your infrastructure remains largely the same.

SPEND on expert help

Unsure where to start with your renovation? Get some help. Paying for expert advice will save you time, money and stress in the long run. A good builder, architect or interior designer all come at a cost but you can’t put a price on a smartly designed, functional home that looks and feels great and that can be built to within your budget. Experts are always happy to share their ideas and experience on where to spend your hard-earned money and how to get the home you want, with the budget you have.

SAVE on simple designs and features

Sure, triangular shaped windows will capture that view beautifully but they’ll probably set you back three times the cost, not to mention the custom-made curtains you’ll need to cover them. School yourself in the cost of simple clever designs versus custom-made architectural features such as curved walls and cantilevered structures. Choosing beautiful standard designs will definitely keep your budget in check.

SPEND on statement features

What do you want the general vibe of your renovated home to be? What special items or features will help you create the look you’re after? Finding a balance between quality and excess is important here, whether you’ve gone for a $200 tap or a $6,000 one, the water tastes the same.

By deciding in advance which feature fixtures and fittings you’d like to spend more of your budget on, you’ll save time and money when researching the remaining items needed to complete your home.

SAVE your home from wear and tear

Dreaming of plush cream carpet and an oiled timber floor? How do you think they’ll stand up to your kids and that crazy dog of yours? Think about the needs of your family and how you’ll use (and abuse) your renovated home. Where will you spend most of your time as a family?

Speak to sales experts about what they recommend and keep an open mind about the materials they suggest even if you’ve discounted them previously. They’ll know what lasts and what only looks good for a year or two.

We’ve got loads of other renovation tips up our sleeves, so if you’re planning to renovate your Auckland home, give us a call and we’ll share what we know.
Read More

Picture this: You go to sell your home only to find out it’s not worth what you’ve spent on it. Your worst nightmare, right? Working out the balance between wise improvements and spending too much is a dark art. How much will your home be worth after it’s renovated? Will you lose money if you decide to sell too early? What renovations yield the best returns? Is it even about the money?

Upfront research is the key to calming your nerves about overcapitalisation. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide, as well as some other discussion points, to get the ball rolling.

Dream home or stepping stone?

Are you renovating for long-term comfort or for profit? How long you plan to stay in your home (after you’ve renovated) will help you decide which changes you’d like to make and how much you’re comfortable spending.

1.Start by putting together an old-school ‘pros and cons’ list of what works at your place and what doesn’t. Include whether you like the area, the community, proximity to schools, work and amenities.

2.Chat to a reputable builder and get them to give you a ballpark cost for the changes you’re considering. Remembering you’ll need to include additional costs like architects’ fees and building consents if you’ll need these.Builders Crack has some rough costs on their website you can take a look at too.

3.Get busy with some market research, looking at properties for sale in your area. Find out what you’d get for your place by meeting with real estate agents or valuers to get an ‘as is’ estimate and an ‘after-renovation’ price on your home. The bank may ask you to do this anyway if you need their finance to do the work.

Once you have all the above information, you’ll have a better idea of whether you’ll be able to get your money back when you sell up or whether you could be overcapitalising.

Overcapitalising or a lifetime of comfort?

It’s ok to overcapitalise in the short term if you’re planning to live in your home for a while – the capital gain you make when you finally sell up will likely absorb your renovation costs. You can’t put a price on the comfort and happiness you’ve enjoyed living in a beautifully renovated home.

Renovating your home isn’t always all about return on your investment. Committed homeowners often take the opportunity to do improvements, which further enhance the liveability rather than the value of the home.

Return on your investment

If you want to make money on your place (and don’t plan to stay long) then minor improvements might be the way to go. Updating elements like wall and floor coverings, light fittings, your outdoor space, or adding a deck can make a big impact without the hefty outlay.

If you don’t have plans to move out in the near future, experts say by converting a three-bedroom home into a four bedroom, you should get double back what you’ve spent; kitchen and bathroom upgrades typically return 1.5 times your investment.

Some investments like swimming pools don’t ever pay off – they’re very expensive to install and many buyers are put off by the idea of having to maintain them.

If you’d like to chat to us further about the steps above or a project at your place, get in touch today.

Thinking about renovating your home can be totally overwhelming. Where to start? Who to seek advice from? Who to trust? How much will it cost? Who does what? The questions are endless. That’s why we’ve broken down the renovation process into bite sized, easy-to-digest pieces to help you understand renovating your property in Auckland.

1. Lock in the right builder

It’s best to engage a builder early in the process, even if your job’s months or years away. Once you’ve found your builder (for tips click here ), you’ll sit down together so they can listen to your renovation ideas, discuss how you want the project management side of things to work, and talk about budget and next steps. A good builder will be able to put you in touch with architects they trust and other experts including surveyors, engineers and even mortgage brokers or property valuers. Need people now? Feel free to call us and get the names of our favourite people to work with.

2. Get plans drawn up

If your project needs it, your architect will complete concept drawings, so you can easily visualise your renovation. It’s normal to have these plans revised several times before they are finalised. Your builder can and should be part of this initial design phase and be happy to meet with your architect. Sharing their prior experience with you and your architect, they’ll help you avoid impractical ideas, unforeseen issues or delays further down the track – saving you time and money in the long run!

3. Cost up your renovation

Using your architectural drawings, your builder will put together a comprehensive quote for your renovation, including a timeline. It’s important not to choose the lowest number on the table but instead to base your decision on how experienced the builder is, how well you get along and their reputation for quality workmanship. Choosing an experienced Auckland building company might cost more upfront but will be worth it once your home is finished.

4. File for consent and sign your renovation contract

Once your plans are finalised, your architect will complete working drawings and submit these to the Auckland City Council for building consent along with any supporting information or reports from engineers or surveyors. At this point, your builder will present you with a letter containing a final fixed quote, a copy of your working drawings to sign off and their building contract. Depending on what you’ve discussed with your builder, you’ll either have agreed on a fixed price contract or a pay-as-you-go option (we’ll discuss these in further detail in a future blog post) . If you’re feeling wary of signing a contract, then have your lawyer take a look before you hand over your autograph.

5. Let the renovating begin!

If you’ve chosen a builder who will also project manage your renovation, they’ll take care of everything: organising contractors, materials and council inspections and keeping you up to date throughout your journey. Now it’s on them to deliver your renovated home back to you, on time and within budget. If you’re project managing things yourself, then you’ll need to be in regular communication with your builder to tee up all of the sub-trades. Keeping the lines of communication is key to a successful renovation so at any stage of the process feel free to call your builder to ask questions or arrange to meet them on site.

6. Enjoy your beautiful newly-renovated home

Once your renovations have been signed off by the Auckland City Council with a final inspection, it’ll be time for you and your builder to do a walk through to make sure you’re completely happy with their work. The final step is to apply for a Code of Compliance Certificate from council and your builder will organise this for you as well as a complimentary home clean. Then….it’s over to you to bask in your new home! If you’d like to chat to us further about the steps above or a project at your place, then get in touch today.

Renovating in Auckland is tough. It’s a competitive market with many a cowboy lurking. The relationship you have with your builder will make or break your renovation so it’s important to take your time and do your research. After all, your home is your biggest asset. With over 20 years building and renovating experience, we’ve put together our five top tips to getting your renovation started (and avoid being taken for a ride!).

Find the right builder for you

Asking friends and family is the best place to start. If that draws a blank or you’re new to Auckland, then Google is your next best bet. Already snapped up an architect? Ask them for recommendations. Make sure you meet with several builders early on, find out about their previous work and request examples. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they think they can add value to your project.

Avoid the ‘man in a van’

You’re looking to save time and money on your renovation where you can, right? Then put ‘experience’ at the top of your want list. The more homes and renovations your builder have under their belt, the better their work will be, the better sub-trades they’ll have on their books and the more experience they’ll have with the all-important consent process. Choose a building company with a team of builders and sub-trades supporting them that has already built a reputation in the Auckland market.

Communication is key to a smooth(er) renovation

To enjoy the renovation process, you need a builder who’s going to work well with your architect and everyone else involved from day one and provide ongoing support and advice while you finalise your renovation plans.

So, before or during your first meeting, do some digging to see whether your builder values clear communication and collaboration. Ask them straight up what their company values are or check their website first. These days builders need to be more than just on the tools – they need to be confident communicators using project management software efficiently, so you know where things are at throughout your renovation journey. You could also ask about their health and safety and other work practices to gauge how they treat their staff.

Don’t go cheap with your biggest asset

Building in Auckland is expensive but who you choose to renovate with shouldn’t be based on price alone. You know the old saying ‘you get what you pay for’?well the same goes for building and renovating. Find a building company that provides support from the design phase right through until sweep up. Look for people who love what they do, are supported by committed sub-trades and use the latest technology to ensure effective project management, clear communication and no surprises.

Choose someone you like

You’re going to be speaking to your builder a LOT through months of renovation. You need to be able to trust them implicitly and ultimately get on with them. Trust your gut. If the fit doesn’t feel right, then keep looking for the right builder. It’ll be worth the wait.

If you’d like to chat about how we can help get your renovation off to a good start, get in touch today.