Whether you’re a first-timer or a frequent flyer in the home improvement realm, home renovations can be intimidating. There’s so much to plan and juggle, and there’s a significant investment to consider on top of all that.
However, tackling a home renovation can be fulfilling and exciting if you follow the right steps. To help you get on that road, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to simplify how to renovate your home in Auckland, including a few insider tips we’ve picked up from years in the industry.
Before you engage anyone, take the time to get clear on your own vision for your home renovation. What’s your goal for the work? Are you looking to create more space, restore original character features in a heritage home, or totally reconfigure an old home on your ideal plot of land?
At this stage, no one else knows about your plans, so it’s the ideal moment to take as much time as necessary to consider what you’re after.
Once you’re clear on your vision, it’s time to work with a professional to put it on paper. Well-drawn plans are vital for two reasons: they provide the best-laid plans for your construction specialists to follow, and they allow you to apply for resource consents and building licenses as-needed.
Plans all done? Now, it’s time to assemble your trusted team. Here’s an unshakeable truth: home renovations are only as good as the teams behind them. You’ll need a team of professionals in various specialities, from architects to builders to interior designers.
If you’re a first-time renovator or prefer to put a professional residential construction team in the driver’s seat while you weigh in on decision-making, it’s important to select a full-service construction team that can handle your project management, consent applications, and inspections in-house. This can drastically simplify the home renovation process.
Auckland has strict building regulations, and your renovation may require council consent. Structural changes, plumbing, and anything impacting the home’s exterior will likely need approval, so you’ll need to uncover which ones are required and work with your team to have everything approved and built to standard.
Now comes the exciting part: bringing your vision to life! With consents approved and your team in place, construction can begin. This stage requires, above all, clear communication. Regular site visits help ensure everything is on track, but if you’re living in the home as renovations are going on, you might also have much more oversight.
As the finish line approaches, the final phase is to make sure all the work is up to scratch, the finishing details are completed, and the space is styled. How this final stage looks will vary from homeowner to homeowner; some people want to entrust the final styling stage to their interior designer, while others prefer to tackle that for themselves.
At this point, we like to do what we call a ‘snag list’. Walk through the space with your builder to address any last-minute fixes before jumping into the final inspection stage, as this is when someone will sign off on whether your new renovation is compliant, and even the smallest mistake can throw things off course.
Once your compliance documents and licenses are signed on the dotted line, you’re good to go! All that’s left to do is to enjoy your brand-new home renovation.
At QBS Construction, we are the high-end specialists in Auckland home renovations. Whether you’re partnering with your own designer or looking for an industry connection, we have experience putting together a team, managing the renovation from A to Z, and handling compliance.
Breathe a sigh of relief as our team jumps on board with your vision and executes it to a tee. Ready to get started? Get in touch with us today to discuss your project.
