Home makeovers Auckland energy efficiency builder Onehunga Epsom

What you need to know

Whilst renovating your villa or bungalow can be an exciting time, it can also be daunting. Knowing where to begin and who to talk to are usually the first hurdles to overcome. Below is some information to help you get started.

Council Requirements and Building Consents

Generally any new building, structural alteration and addition, plumbing, drainage and deck (more than one metre off the ground), requires a building consent from your local council. A building consent, and the associated building inspections, ensures that your building work complies with the Building Act 2004 and the New Zealand Building Code. A building consent must be obtained before building work starts on the property and often your architect, draughtsman or engineer can assist.

Please talk to your local council regarding their specific requirements and process.

Plans

Detailed drawings of your proposed building project will be required for building consent and we recommend the use of an experienced architect, draughtsman or engineer to save you time and money in the long run. MacGregor Building Services can refer you to some professionals if you require.

Before meeting with your architect/draughtsman/engineer it is beneficial to have considered the following;

A clear idea of the changes you want to make
The level of finish you want and how much you have to spend on the project
The future and how your housing needs might change
Professional advice from the real estate industry on how your changes might add value to your home

Bringing your builder into the process at this stage could save you money as they can often give you very practical advice on what changes are feasible and where hidden costs might linger.

Budgets and Financing

It is important to be realistic about your renovation budget and to ensure you have adequate contingency funds set aside. Renovations to existing homes often reveal issues that can not be seen during the planning stage and are only discovered once the renovation commences so it’s essential to identify some contingency funds within your budget to cover these instances rather than having to cut back on other things in your renovation.

Other Considerations

The way a home performs in respect of heating and energy efficiency is becoming very important and is often a key consideration for someone purchasing a house. Looking to the future, it is likely that homes will be given an ‘energy efficiency rating’ and this rating could have a significant impact on the value of your home – making smart decisions around insulation, joinery, heating, lighting and choice of appliances during your renovation could have longer term benefits both for your family’s health and finances.

You should also consider technology when renovating your home and ensure that you install appropriate power and communications/data cabling to future-proof your home so you can take advantage of any new and improved technologies and products on the market.

Below are some links to websites that provide useful information and/or services on home renovations and energy efficiency;

www.homestar.org.nz
www.consumerbuild.co.nz
www.energywise.govt.nz
www.smarterhomes.org.nz
www.righthouse.co.nz
www.fpb.co.nz/page/128/fpb-home-assessment-tool.aspx