As early as you can. Most renovation companies — including us — have preferred architects, designers, and suppliers already lined up. If your builder is involved from the start, decisions around architectural style, plans, and materials all happen with the full picture in view. That avoids the costly backtracking that happens when design and construction aren't talking to each other from day one.

Most builders can build. But a home renovation isn't just building — it's managing the design process, working with architects, handling council consents, coordinating suppliers, and keeping the whole thing on track from start to finish. We don't just turn up with a tool belt. We run the entire project so you're not stuck trying to manage six different conversations yourself.

Start with the scope. Get clear on exactly what you want done, then ask your renovation company for a detailed scope of works. Once that's locked in, you'll know what decisions need to be made and in what order. Checklists help — there are good ones online for things like choosing a builder or planning a kitchen renovation. We've also written a fair bit on our blog covering the most common planning questions Auckland homeowners run into.

Both involve improving an existing house, but they're not the same thing. Renovating means restoring or updating what's already there — new kitchen, bathroom refresh, repainting, new flooring. Remodelling means changing the structure or layout of the house. Think removing walls, adding rooms, or reconfiguring the floor plan. Remodelling work in Auckland will almost always require a Building Consent from council.

You can, but we wouldn't recommend it. A typical house renovation involves eight to ten different trades, and if one doesn't show up on time, it delays everyone behind them. An established renovation company will have a reliable network of trades and suppliers already set up — plumbers, electricians, tilers, painters — all people they've worked with before and trust. It's less stressful and usually more cost-effective than managing it yourself.

Book a consultation. It's free, and it gives you a chance to talk through your ideas with a project manager who can tell you what's realistic for your house, your budget, and your site. You'll come away with a clear picture of what the next steps look like, what the process involves, and roughly what things will cost. No commitment required — just a practical starting point.

All of them. We work right across Auckland — from Remuera, Ponsonby, and Grey Lynn through to the North Shore suburbs like Takapuna, Devonport, and Albany. We're just as active in East Auckland (Howick, Pakuranga, St Heliers), West Auckland (Henderson, New Lynn, Titirangi), and South Auckland (Manukau, Papatoetoe, Papakura). Every suburb has its own housing stock and its own quirks. A 1920s villa in Mt Eden needs a completely different approach to a 1980s brick-and-tile in Pakuranga or a recent build in Hobsonville Point. We plan around what's actually in front of us, not a one-size-fits-all template.

It depends on what you're doing. A bathroom refresh might sit around $20,000–$40,000. A full kitchen renovation is typically $40,000–$80,000. Larger projects — whole-home renovations, multi-room gut-and-rebuilds, or ground-floor extensions — can run from $150,000 to $300,000 and beyond. The range is wide because every house is different. A straight cosmetic update costs far less than a project involving structural changes, re-plumbing, or bringing an older home up to current Building Code. We provide a detailed written quote before any work starts, so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Indoor-outdoor flow is still the big one — and it makes sense given how Aucklanders actually use their homes. Bifold or sliding doors opening onto a deck remains one of the most requested changes we see. Open-plan living areas are just as popular, particularly in older villas and bungalows where the original layout was a series of small, closed-off rooms. Beyond layout, we're seeing strong demand for energy-efficient upgrades — better insulation, double glazing, and heat pumps. Homeowners are also asking for smart home wiring, USB charging built into joinery, and dedicated home office spaces that didn't exist in pre-2020 floor plans.

We've been renovating Auckland homes since 2017. We have in-house designers, certified builders, and a project management process that keeps everything on track from first consultation through to handover. But the honest answer is — don't take our word for it. Read the reviews. Talk to past clients. The work speaks for itself. What we can tell you is that we understand Auckland houses. We know what council requires, we know how to weatherproof for this climate, and we know what a villa in Ponsonby needs versus a 1970s split-level in Browns Bay.