Firstly remember, this is not a TV show. While you may have been inspired by the last season of the Block, where the wonderful old Kingsland fire station over looking Eden park was refreshed... your project is not being bankrolled by a production company and their major sponsors!  This renovation project is funded entirely from your back pocket. The focus is on your Home and your lifestyle! You don’t want to be spending more than the resale value of your property.  So first up be realistic about what you’ll be spending your money on! It can be far too easy to overcapitalise. A general rule of thumb is to spend no more than 25% of the value of your house on major renovation work.

Talk to architects, master builders or quantity surveyors to find out the average building cost per square metre in your area.  Also, consider calling in a property expert like an agent or valuer to discuss your plans, they’ll help you to determine what your project’s cost versus potential gain in sale price will be – and if they don’t add up – don’t do it.  Luckily the Auckland Home Show has all the experts under the one roof ready to answer your queries!

Staying onside with your local council by using them as an advisory is far better than crossing your fingers for a retrospective consent.  If you’re planning any external renovations i.e. changes to the building’s footprint or structure; new decks and plumbing relocations – remember these will require building consent from your local council. By speaking with your local friendly council you’ll find out pretty quickly what you can and can’t do, and what consents will cost.

What you’re hoping to renovate can be dependent on what time of year is most suitable.  Summer is obviously ideal for that large outdoor upgrade while interiors are often done in the middle of the year – when you won’t lose your painter on a nice day to an exterior job.  Depending on how intensive the work is, kitchens can take up to eight weeks on site (not including design development or ordering of materials). Bathrooms can be faster at around three weeks; but as the point below will state its important to build a contingency within your planned timeframe for those unexpected aspects that may arise once reno is underway.

Remember, once your renovation gets rolling, excitement may quickly dissolve into despair if you encounter unexpected issues (like rotten beams or a busted pipe) and not have any space in your budget to rectify it.  Keeping track of your costs and budget from the beginning (yes even down to the nails). Keeping track will help to ensure you’re not caught off guard when the invoices start to come in.

If you're thinking of renovating or building this year, then visit the Home Improvement Expo. 28 February - 1 March 2020 at ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane. 

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