Perhaps you’re in the process of purchasing a home, and you’ve just received an inspection report that recommends you reclad. Or maybe you’ve been in your home for a while and have started to notice your cladding is not performing. Either way, we know that ‘recladding’ can be a scary word to hear.
We’re here to demystify the process. Step by step, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about residential recladding, from whether you need it to what you can expect the process to look like once commissioned.
Recladding isn’t always an immediate necessity, and it can be a costly investment if you jump into it at the wrong time. So, you want to be sure. Mostly, you’ll need to rely on a qualified building inspector or a residential recladding company to check out the current state of your home, but here are a few warning signs to get you started.
Many homes across New Zealand are plagued with the pervasive and ever-feared leak, especially those built between the 1990s and the early 2000s. If your home was built in that time period and you’ve been noticing some leaks here and there, there’s a high chance that moisture has seeped into the framing. Over time, this can lead to rot and severe structural damage.
Recladding is the best way to address a leaky home, especially in its early stages, so always start with a professional inspection to see if your home struggles with leakiness.
If you can visibly seek cracks, warping, or signs of rot in your exterior walls, your cladding may be compromised already. Keep an eye out for swelling or bubbling under the surface, as this can indicate moisture has gotten through and is being retained in your home’s frame.
While some fading is natural over time, excessive peeling, blistering, or chipping can be a sign that your cladding is no longer doing its job (i.e. protecting your home).
You might also just be fed up with how your cladding looks. Faded or outdated cladding can impact your home’s market appeal or just undermine how much you enjoy living in your home in the first place.
Long story short: Look out for the dead giveaways and always source a professional inspection to make sure residential recladding is the right avenue for you. Once you’re sure, it’s time to source a quote.
Once you’ve decided that recladding is the right step for your home, the next step is obtaining a quote from a reputable company. Every residential recladding company is different, so we’ll frame this from the perspective of our quoting process to give you an idea of what to expect.
First thing first: reach out! When you get in touch, provide as much detail as you can to make the quotation process easier. If you’ve already had a builder inspect your property, attaching the report or providing some of the details can be a massive help. Square footage, the age of your home, and your preferred style of cladding can all also help.
If you don’t know these things yet, don’t stress. The next step will help, so just start by reaching out.
Even if you have already sourced a building inspection – which we do recommend – our professional residential recladding team will also come by to inspect your home’s exterior, assess any damage, and discuss your goals and budget in detail. From there, we’ll recommend the best cladding options to meet those needs.
One of the most important questions to ask is if your contractor will handle council permits and compliance requirements. In New Zealand, it’s legally required for a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) to plan or design your cladding and file the consent for the alteration to the property.
So, don’t be afraid to ask! Check in about whether your chosen company provides the necessary warranties and guarantees. For example, at QBS, our recladding specialists are registered
LBPs able to facilitate every part of the recladding process.
Once you’ve negotiated terms and signed a plan, the next step is to jump into recladding! This is a multi-step process that can take anywhere between 6 weeks and 3 months or more, depending on the size of your home.
Each step requires careful planning and execution, but done right it will equip your home with everything it needs to stand up to any leak. Here’s a quick breakdown of the process:
With all of that tackled, you now have a full picture of the residential recladding process. From sourcing a quote to final checks and inspections, you have everything you need to nail this potentially intimidating process.
When in doubt, connect with a trusted professional and ask the right questions.
Whether you have an older home with outdated cladding or your home has been recently damaged, the team at QBS Construction is here to help. Our team of specialists provides access to industry-leading recladding services to keep your home sleek, pristine, and energy-efficient.
Does your cladding need a refresh? Enquire with our team today.
