It can often be stated that the kitchen is the heart of the home as it’s where meals are created, and where friends and family gather to enjoy a wonderful home-cooked meal. When thinking about kitchen design NZ, always consider an entertainment factor as it is where everyone gathers. Designing kitchens for entertaining comes from an open kitchen layout as it makes the space feel more inviting.

Designing or upgrading your kitchen to your needs is important to make it perfect. Especially if you’re the type to host events at your house, the kitchen needs to accommodate for everything. An entertainment kitchen is the perfect type of kitchen for you if you love hosting events. This type of kitchen represents a space to welcome guests, cooking, eating and working from home. A kitchen has many uses so when making your kitchen design, consider all those factors.

How to design a kitchen layout suited for an entertainment kitchen? If you’re considering an entertainment kitchen, consider the shape and size of a kitchen island or a breakfast bar. What kind of dining space you’d like to integrate and how much fridge and freezer space you’d need. As well as ensuring that there’s enough space for a general family/relaxing area. If you’re unsure of these factors, don’t worry! Our amazing in-house designer NZ can help guide you through the process.

Below, are some elements that we think you need when designing entertainment kitchen.

1. Make Space For a Drink’s Fridge

Making space in your kitchen design idea for a drink fridge can be essential for an entertainment kitchen. It’s incredibly useful to have a mini fridge for drinks, as it’d be easier and more comfortable for guests to grab a drink instead of looking through your fridge. Some people consider installing a wine fridge. While that can be quite an investment purchase, wine fridges aren’t for everybody so we suggest installing a mini fridge that can fit up to a variety of drinks ranging from water, soda drinks or alcohol.

If you have a walk in pantry, try including a fridge to utilise the space better. Of course, this doesn’t mean have a second big fridge in there as that’d take up unnecessary space. But opt for fridge drawers if you can to keep your fridge more organised. Having all these options for your kitchen design idea as it allows you to have enough space in your kitchen for catering options. As well as being able to accomodate your guests by having a drink station to keep guests comfortable when they grab their own drinks.

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Mini Fridge for Drinks | Photo Credit – iStock

2. Make a Kitchen Island Central to Your Design

Having a kitchen island in your kitchen is essential and possibly the best decision you could make for your kitchen design. A kitchen island has many uses and is highly functional in kitchen design NZ. The island is where you can relax, catch up on newspapers, do homework, or even work from home sitting at your kitchen island. This is a feature for kitchen design NZ.

Not only that, but when friends and family come over it provides a space for everyone to catch up or play some card games. The island itself becomes the epicentre of the party as they can all gather around the island to have some party snacks.

Now, if the island is going to be constantly used for entertainment purposes. It’d be wise to consider purchasing extra bar stools for special occasions and you can keep them in storage. This would help ensure that your friends and family all have a seat and feel included during gatherings. For decorative purposes, consider some seasonal flower display, some candles or even some fairy lights will create a warm atmosphere.

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Island in the Kitchen

Check out our kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay

3. Get Kitchen Lighting Right

One kitchen design NZ concept that is important to think about is kitchen lighting. Whilst you can design the perfect kitchen with our kitchen designer NZ, if your kitchen lighting is left as a last thought then it can ruin the look for your kitchen design idea. The perfect kitchen lighting for an entertainment kitchen is atmospheric mood lighting. An example of this would be a collection of candles and lanterns around the kitchen and also consider built in lighting in your kitchen design ideas.

When thinking of kitchen lighting, there are three different styles you need to consider. Task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting can help get rid of any dark corners on your countertop. Ambient lighting is there to help illuminate the room and create a modern kitchen look. When thinking of creating a modern kitchen design, consider recessed lighting. Accent lighting is purely decorative lighting like wall or pendant lights.

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Example of kitchen lighting being used right to get rid of any dark corners

See more information and pictures on this kitchen renovation

4. Ensure Kitchen Extraction is Efficient

The key to any great kitchen, whether its open space or closed space kitchen is great air circulation/ventilation. Nobody wants last night’s food aroma to loiter around in the kitchen the next day. Which is why thinking about having good ventilation in the kitchen or around the house is important.

To improve ventilation in your kitchen, definitely consider using a range hood above the stovetop. You could also consider a ceiling-mounted extractor that you could put in the middle above your kitchen island. However if that is not within your budget cost, there are alternatives. Some of these alternatives are opening windows and doors when cooking to let some fresh air in or simply investing in an air purifier. Air purifiers help remove bad odours and is portable, so you can move it to any room you want whenever you want.

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Range Hood To Help With Kitchen Extraction

See more pictures from this kitchen renovation in Avondale

5. Think Seating

Seating is an important factor to consider in your entertainer kitchen design NZ. If you plan on throwing dinner parties and guests will be seated at the dining table for a long time. Comfort is important! Upholstered dining chairs should be considered as they can provide support that’s required for several courses.

To make use of your kitchen space, you could also consider a built-in seating for the dining table or consider a banquette seating idea. This can create the same effect and support as upholstered dining chairs and can be positioned alone a walk or linked to kitchen cabinetry. This could be a kitchen design idea to consider and make your kitchen feel more cozy.

With these seating kitchen design ideas, it presents and opportunity to bring in colour or patterns to your kitchen design scheme and could possibly enhance the decorative detail of your kitchen design NZ. Or provide an element to make give your kitchen a modern look for your modern kitchen design.

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Example of seating in dining area | Photo Credit – Unsplash

6. Take Acoustics into Account

As kitchens mainly have hard surfaces, they could affect the acoustics of the room. When you’re entertaining and having guests over, there will most likely be music playing in the background or people talking to one another.

To solve this issue, consider soft surfaces and furnishing in your kitchen design ideas for your entertainment kitchen. This could be in the form of upholstered chairs, window treatments, or even rugs. Although, rugs would be best suited away from cooking and preparation areas. If you’re looking for kitchen flooring ideas, consider a timber floor instead of a tile as that will be softer underfoot.

How Do You Build A Kitchen Design For Entertaining?

Building a kitchen for entertaining is important to focus on the kitchen layout. You’d want to make sure that there is enough space for guests to sit comfortably, without getting in the way of anyone cooking. This could make you consider your kitchen layout by dividing the cooking and dining zones that include a kitchen island so that whoever is cooking can still socialise with their guests and not feel excluded.

When thinking about designing a kitchen for entertainment, making sure that seating is comfortable is another important factor to consider. Having seats that are comfortable will ensure that everyone can linger around the kitchen for longer.

One of the most popular kitchen design NZ style is a modern kitchen design. A modern kitchen is all about space. A space to cook, space to entertain and a space for family gatherings. The modern kitchen has many uses and would be great for hosting parties as they’re spacious. Creating a new kitchen design, is more than new appliances and cabinetry as nowadays there are many other factors to consider.

The biggest appeal for a kitchen is to be able to cook and be apart of the action when entertaining as everyone is included. For normal days, it’s a great setting for busy families to cook and help their kids with homework and be able to keep an out for their kids while preparing a meal.

Down below we have 11 kitchen design ideas that helps blend form and function

11 Kitchen Design That Blend Form and Function

1. Boost Storage In A Family Kitchen With A Beautiful Banquette

When designing your kitchen, you’d always want to make sure there is enough storage space for your kitchen appliances and utensils and other things you may need to store. This is where you might consider banquette seating. Combining function and form, banquette seating offers built-in seating for a dining nook in an open plan kitchen.

The banquette seating offers an opportunity for extra storage space. The storage space doesn’t just have to be for kitchen gadgets but it can be used for any storage needs. Like containers, toys, or even a little secret snack area.

2. Create A True Social Hub For Family Time

Open plan kitchen layouts are becoming trendy nowadays especially with a modern kitchen design style. Ditching the formal dining room, home office and sitting room. An open plan kitchen provides a large, multifunction space. The kitchen layout would be suitable and designed for everyone that can use it and make it the heart of your home.

Creating an open plan kitchen, helps make your family be more sociable. As parents are able to prepare meals while still being able to see and interact with their kids. Having this kitchen design ideas allows the host to interact with guests while preparing food and drinks when they have guests over. Having an open plan kitchen removes the walls which can make the room look bigger and provide additional space for people and furnishings.

When having an open plan kitchen, kitchen layout is important. Having a big space to decorate can be exciting yet stressful as you want to decorate it so the room doesn’t look empty. There is a general rule you may want to follow which is that the dining table shouldn’t be too far from the kitchen. Also ensure that there is a direct route from the table to the dishwasher to make is easier for cleaning.

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Open plan kitchen, perfect for entertaining and being sociable while cooking

3. Enhance Your Kitchen Layout

To achieve your perfect kitchen layout that avoids any obstructions and can provide the best access to frequently used ares like the fridge or the stove. It’s important to work with a kitchen designer NZ as they’re able to help bring your visions into a reality. Our kitchen designer NZ can help accommodate to your needs and give you the kitchen you’d want.

Focusing on distinct areas of your kitchen like cooking, dining and relaxing, will help you maintain order in an open plan kitchen or a multi-use family room. You can use different flooring, decorative light fittings or different kitchen colour schemes to help show the different rooms in one setting. This can be effective and won’t lose sight of the overall design cohesion.

To help visually tie the room together and keep it simple and uncluttered, consider coordinating the dining table top with the worktops. If you need more help our kitchen designers NZ will gladly help you out and guide you through it.

Want more information? Check out our blog on open plan vs closed kitchen.

Here is a blog to guide you through kitchen layouts.

4. Include A Kitchen Island Into Your Plans

A kitchen island is always a great addition to kitchen design NZ and you should always consider having a kitchen island in your kitchen design. The island itself has many uses, from extra prep surface, a place for the sink, a place for friends and family to gather around. Put some bar stools, then it becomes a space when kids can do their homework and even where you could work. The island can also be used as another storage space area.

A suitable size for a kitchen island ranges from around 2m to 3m long and around 1.1m to 1.4m wide. Any wider can create wasted space in the centre. Although the sizing may depend on how much space your kitchen has. You should always allow at least 1m of space around the island. Remember that not all barstools tuck right in, so measure correctly.

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Kitchen Island Tying The Room Together

Check out the before and after pictures of this kitchen renovation in Epsom!

5. Opt For Smart Storage Solutions

At some point, we always end up running out of storage, which is why in your kitchen design you should always think about ways you can add drawers and be able to utilise space. Consider open shelving on your kitchen walls as not only can it create space but it can also be visually appealing. You can add decorations onto the open shelving which can add a theme to your kitchen.

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Example of creating a smart storage solution in kitchen pantry

6. Make Space For Working From Home

Ever since the pandemic hit and we’ve all be stuck at home and having to work remotely. We’ve had to find a place for us to work. Most times if we don’t have a home office, it would be working at the dining table or somewhere near the kitchen if not in the kitchen. Which is why it’s important to make your kitchen feel welcoming while also having them to be sleek, smart and functional.

When thinking about your kitchen design, consider the aspect of having to work from home to make your kitchen suitable for you to do that. This could be where a kitchen island might come in handy with bar stools as it could be a place where you work. It’s also a good place for household admin, and become a work station that is designed to complement your kitchen.

7. Put Functionality At The Heart Of Your Kitchen

A kitchen has many uses. It’s an ample space for entertaining, generous storage and room for family gatherings. It’s the heart of your home. Making your kitchen function is the number one priority when thinking about your kitchen design and kitchen layout. Having a big kitchen can create layout issues. Large kitchens can be overwhelming to design and if your kitchen layout isn’t planned properly, it can result in a lot of unnecessary travel.

The best way to create a kitchen layout in a large kitchen is to add a kitchen island. This is a popular solution and can perform a variety of functions therefore making your kitchen functional. In a large room, or an open plan kitchen it acts as a bridge between furniture. Improving the work triangle and allowing more than one cook in the kitchen to work comfortable side-by-side. So if you enjoy teaching your kids how to cook or cooking with your significant other without getting in each others way. This would be perfect.

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Open plan kitchen that serves multiple purposes

Check out our blog on creating a functional kitchen!

Want more examples? Here is our blog showcasing our top 16 renovations in Auckland.

8. Put The Focus On Functional Flooring

Kitchen flooring is also another priority when thinking about your kitchen design. You’d want flooring that last long and not ones that would chip or break easily. Kitchen flooring have to be incredibly tough to stand up to dirt and knocks in a family kitchen.

Natural stone flooring can be something you could consider for your kitchen design as they are the most forgiving floor coverings if the right stone and finish are chosen. Some stones can be denser than others and all flooring will be subject to a little wear and tear over the years.

However, if you have children, porcelain tile may be another flooring style you might consider for your kitchen design. Porcelain tile is non-porous and can provide a strain proof option which is wise if you have children that are creative and often make a mess. Easy to clean up and leave no stain behind.

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Examples of Kitchen Tiles That You Could Consider | Photo Credit – iStock

9. Light The Way

Kitchen lighting is a vital part of any successful kitchen design scheme and is important when it comes to designing an entertainment kitchen or a family kitchen or kitchens in general. Using task lighting above your kitchen island can help create a characterful lighting serve. It helps light up the whole island and provide as a decorative function when combined with materials like marble tops and metallic accents.

10. Go For A Dark Colour On Cabinetry

To bring some colour into your kitchen design, opt for using dark colours on your cabinetry as it can create a bold and interesting family kitchen space. For a kitchen design ideas it’s often tempting to use an all-dark paint scheme. But for sociable spaces like the kitchen, a balanced approach can be more suited.

A benefit of having dark cabinetry, is that it can help hide any fingerprints, stains, or scuff marks that may occur over time. Having good natural sunlight in your kitchen design can also help bring out the colour in a dark shade.

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Example of dark cabinets in kitchen

See more photos and information on this kitchen renovation in Stanmore Bay.

11. Plan Your Kitchen Around Family Life

Banquette seatings beats dining chairs when you consider your kitchen seating idea. Banquette seatings help save space and can also seat large number of people when you have guests over or host family events.

Usually, with dining chairs the rule is to leave around 90cm between a chair and the next piece of furniture or wall. But with banquette seating you can reduce that down to 30cm, especially if the seat fits onto the wall. Not only do they save space, but they can also accommodate more people. It’s perfect for birthday parties and family gatherings and make photos look better as there are no chairs in the picture. Consider banquette seating in your kitchen design if possible.

How Do You Design A Family Kitchen?

There are many needs and uses when it comes to a family kitchen. In your kitchen design, you’d have to think about the kitchen layout, where you cook, eat, and to entertain. Even if you have a large kitchen, the meal prep, cook and cleaning areas will always be close together for better efficiency.

The amount of work surface area you need, depends on you and your family needs. It’s important to have enough worktop for meal prep as well as when you’re cooking with others. A family kitchen can be designed for entertainment use as everyone is willing to help cook. It’s become the new normal to be sociable while cooking and entertaining guests at the same time. It’s also a great space to multitask and catch up with one another while preparing food.

Our Top 8 Lighting Ideas for your Kitchen Design

Kitchen lighting can often be left as a last thought and that is a mistake many people make. Lighting brings the room together and can help transform your kitchen. For example, a contemporary kitchen requires a layered and responsive lighting scheme that can keep up with the changing demands throughout the day.

Having an expansive glass door and skylight in a large kitchen will flood the space with natural light, making the room look bigger. Task lighting can be used for prep areas and ambient lighting for social spaces.

For a modern kitchen design, the lighting helps create depth, marking out different zones and help create a clear and safe passage though the space. The different types of lighting that can be used is general, task, ambient and decorative lighting in your modern kitchen design. Since some kitchens may require lots of light switches it would be easier if you brought smart lights which can be controlled though your phone, making it easier for you to turn the lights on and off. When it comes to lighting, consider the warmth of the bulb as the cooler end gives brilliant task lighting. While warmer whites can make a seating area feel more inviting.

Down below is our top 8 lighting ideas to include in your kitchen design.

1. Install An Eye-Catching Modern Lighting Centrepiece

Installing an eye catching modern lighting centrepiece is designed to create ambient lighting and the the purpose of a lighting centrepiece is to draw attention to the kitchen island. The centrepiece helps give the kitchen a living rom appeal, rather than to provide practical task lighting.

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Example of task lighting to draw attention to island | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Make The Best Use Of Down-lights

Ceiling down-lights are a popular solution for general lighting for your modern kitchen design. You’re able to turn them up for when you want to clean the room. Or dim them down to create a softer mood. With down-lights, you’d want to create an even spread of light. You might have to accommodate if you have a skylight, or TV screen that could affect the lighting. You’d also want to avoid putting down-lights right next to a pendant or hard up against a wall cabinet.

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Example of Downlights in a Kitchen | Photo Credit – iStock

3. Layer Light

A complex room, like a living-kitchen open floor-plan requires different light levels for a range of activities. Nobody likes a dimly lit work area. Which is why when you think about your modern kitchen design. Make sure to position spotlights or pendants directly above key areas in your living-kitchen room. This will ensure that light isn’t blocked when you stand or work around your kitchen.

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Example of task, ambient and accent lighting in a kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Tackle Task Lighting

Task lighting is an important feature to add to your kitchen. As they can be discreet and hidden under wall cupboards or shelving. But you can also create a nice centrepiece feature that can be angled to direct brightness where it’s needed.

5. Consider Low Light Sources

LED strips can help provide a soft low light that can be useful to direct traffic through the kitchen space. Some LED strips can be controlled with a remote and can change colours creating a different atmosphere in the kitchen. You could also wow your guests with different colours. It’s like a party! Putting a subtle glow beneath your counter will encourage your guest to pull up a seat or gather around.

6. Light The Inside Of Cabinetry

Having light inside of your cabinet can be a key component for your modern kitchen design as they provide soft, ambient lighting. It helps bring display back into the kitchen and create an opportunity of soft diffused light. Which can help create a focal point in your modern kitchen design and help brighten up darker corners of the room.

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Lighting in shelves/pantry | Photo Credit – Unsplash

7. ‘Wash’ Cabinetry With Lighting

Another kitchen lighting to consider is to use track lighting and up-lights to wash surfaces with a soft reflective light. This can be linked back to using down-lights as you should only place them where light is required as part of your kitchen lighting scheme. Consider using a low glare directional downlight to direct light to wash the front of your kitchen. Added bonus is that when you open your cupboards, it will also light the inside of it up.

8. Ask An Expert In Modern Kitchen Lighting Design

If you’re confused and wondering how to plan your kitchen lighting that fits your kitchen design. Consider asking a kitchen designer or the kitchen designer you’re working with to help you. They’ll be able to help you balance a range of sources into a cohesive scheme to enhance your space. You can’t go wrong with asking for help as designers are there to help you bring your visions into a reality.

4 Modern Kitchen Lighting Tips For Your Modern Kitchen Design

1. Create Light Reflections

In your modern kitchen design, opt for pale countertops in a darker kitchen as that will help create light reflection in your kitchen. Pale colours and reflective surfaces will amplify the glow, while dark shades absorb light. Having dark shades that absorb light can be advantageous as it can help create mood or create a different atmosphere.

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Example of light reflection in the kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

2. Light Beyond Your Modern Kitchen

As you know, having skylights or walls of glass can provide plenty of natural sunlight into your kitchen during the day. But can turn into black holes at night. Consider running strip LEDs in a skylight recesses as well as great outdoor lighting ideas. This will help create a light show in the garden beyond the glass. And help get rid of the black hole.

3. Choose Discreet Modern Kitchen Lighting Ideas

There are many lighting options that you could consider in your kitchen design that can be discreet. Spotlights aren’t the only solution for directional light. There is an exhaust light, which has a smart tubular design that comes in two colours for a powder-coated casing and four metallic options or the trim. Lighting options that go with your kitchen design aesthetics.

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Example of modern kitchen lighting ideas | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Use Modern Kitchen Lighting To Play With Room Proportions

If you have a large kitchen or a kitchen with high ceilings. Don’t just leave that ceiling space empty. Complete the kitchen look by choosing a modern kitchen light fitting that helps tie your kitchen together. Choosing a modern molecular lighting with multiple bulbs, that shine their light in all directions may be a suitable option for your modern kitchen design. This is best suited to be installed over an island or dining table to create a focal point.

5 Tips For A Kitchen Design Layout

As a first time homeowner there are many questions that you have in mind before starting to renovate your kitchen. How to design a kitchen? How to design a kitchen layout? Which kitchen layout is best suited for you? There are many questions and research involved before you start. There are many kitchen design NZ and kitchen designers NZ that are able to help answer your questions and help guide you through the process.

But, to further your research more. We have come up with 7 tips that you should consider in designing your kitchen layout. These tips would help answer you question on how to design a kitchen layout and how to design a kitchen as well.

1. Create a Wishlist

To begin, start by creating a wishlist and writing down all the features you’d like in your dream kitchen. It’s a chance to create a brand new room that is fitted more towards your needs and build a new space that you love. There are many kitchen layout NZ ideas that you might have in mind for your kitchen. Also reflect on what isn’t working in your current kitchen to avoid having it in your new kitchen.

You can also include intangible ideas on your wishlist which our kitchen designers NZ can help with and give suggestions when needed. These intangible ideas could be mixed materials cabinetry, different countertop finishes, etc. To gather more inspiration you can look on Pinterest on look at our case studies and see how previous clients have designed their kitchen layout NZ. The more you see other kitchen design NZ, the more you’ll know what kind of kitchen style you’re after.

2. Set a Kitchen Design Budget

It’s important to set up a kitchen design budget as kitchen costs need to be clearly defined at the start of your project. How much are you willing to spend? You’d also want to set aside some money just incase there are any unforeseen costs or any problems that may occur during the process. At Superior Renovations, you don’t need to worry about paying separately for plumbing, wiring, or labour as that is included in our renovation process.

Find out what your kitchen style is here!

3. Consider How You Will Use Your Space

How to design a kitchen layout isn’t just about working a layout that fits the space but more-so on how you can use the room as well. How to design a kitchen layout that you can use the space? Carefully think about how you wish to use the space and your requirement. Nowadays our kitchen is the heart of our homes as it’s a place where we cook, eat, and entertain. Also a place to sit and work. Our kitchen designers NZ say that kitchen layout NZ should have the prep, cook, and wash areas close together in a kitchen to make the space more efficient. This will help avoid any run ins and save time especially in a large kitchen.

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Example of how to utilise space for an entertainment kitchen | Photo Credit – Unsplash

4. Measure Up

Kitchen nowadays perform a variety of roles like family dining, relaxing, working, and entertaining. It’s important to have a good kitchen layout that have adequate storage as having enough storage space in your kitchen is important. You’d want to ensure that you can fit everything you want in your kitchen. But that all depends on accurate measuring which our kitchen designers NZ would be able to do during their consult with you.

If you’re thinking about having a kitchen island in your kitchen design, make sure to precisely measure the floor so that the island can fit comfortably within your space. When placed, it should leave enough floor space for you to maneuver around the entire space.

5. Consider the Perfect Layout

Choosing the perfect layout for your kitchen begs the questions as to how to design a kitchen layout. Looking at kitchen layout NZ ideas would be a starting point to start the journey of designing your kitchen. Making your kitchen efficient and maximising the space can make time spent in the kitchen more enjoyable. In your layout try to put your sink, refrigerator, and oven within easy reach of one another. In your kitchen layout, consider natural light and seating areas are best placed near windows.

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

Although we don’t recommend if you haven’t renovated a kitchen before and/or you don’t have trades people you can trust, most renovations if not all comes with it’s own surprises because not all homes are the same – this is where experience/project management plays an important role in minimises risks to maintain costs/delays giving you higher certainty of outcome/quality backed by associated guarantees and warranties.

However, if you do intend to manage the kitchen renovation yourself, it does work out more cost effective to contact a kitchen cabinetry manufacturer directly to get the kitchen cabinets designed, manufactured and installed – leaving you to manage the other trades such as flooring, demolition, painting, plastering, splashback/tiling, electrician, plumber, and sometimes a carpenter/builder.

Try Little Giant Interiors cost calculator below to see what you can expect to pay for cabinetry.

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

House Renovation

A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

August 12, 20210

In our digital world, technology is constantly changing and getting better which should come as no surprise that people have invented ways to make our homes smarter and our lives easier. But if you’re still unsure about investing into smart homes, then this article is perfect for you. There are plenty of benefits to having a smart home, keep reading to find out more!

Smart homes may seem convenient for others, but others may also struggle with the idea of smart homes. Smart homes are a huge change and can impact how you and your family live for the next few years. When considering your kitchen or bathroom renovation and design consider installing some smart home appliances.

Curious about smart bulbs or exploring the new amazing capabilities of your new voice assistant? There are many researches that can be found on smart homes NZ and how you can make your house a smart home. Best thing about it, is that you don’t need a full house renovation to make your house a smart home. Having some kitchen design ideas with smart solution home ideas can work wonders in just one room. This can be done in many ways and you’ve probably come across two keywords that is repeated in all your research findings. Smart home and home automation. So what are the differences between those two key terms?

If you assume that these two terms are somewhat similar, you are correct! These two terms are closely related, but they do refer to different things that makes them different from one another.

Smart homes in NZ refers to electronic devices and sensors that can be controlled over the internet or your own local network like your phone, computer and other devices. These devices most often have their own separate app that you’d use to control within certain ecosystem. And it also doesn’t require a full home renovation for it to work. For example, Alexa is a home assistant smart device that you can set up and make it towards your liking. As Alexa is a part of Amazon, there is a separate app needed in order to set up you Alexa.

Home automation refers to a methodology for using smart home devices. The purpose of home automation is to make devices work automatically so that it can response to what you’re doing. While also requiring little to no interaction with any app or physical interface as we try to incorporate this into smart homes NZ.

For example, Philips Hue smart bulbs. You can set them up to a certain ‘scene’ or lighting for a movie night. With a smart home, you’ll open your smart home app to adjust the lighting. But, with home automation, you can set up an automation that can detect when you’re watching a movie and adjust the lights for you. While this can be done to any room you pick, consider going for a full home renovation to be able to have all those nice features in every room.

Content:

7 Benefits of having a Smart Home
Cost of Setting up and Running a Smart Home
How to get started on a Basic Smart home
Top 4 energy efficient Smart appliances
Creating Smart bathrooms
The future of Smart Kitchens in NZ
Tips to have a secure smart home security system
Our top 4 automation systems

7 Benefits of Having a Smart Home in NZ

1. Entertainment

The main form of entertainment we indulge in nowadays is connecting our streaming services to our Tv’s. Which provides you with a bigger screen to watch your favourite movie or tv show on. When first starting to invest in smart homes, Google Chromecast or Apple TV is a good starting point. These are smart home gadgets which can be controlled via voice if you have a compatible smart assistant. Not only is it exclusive to watching movies and tv shows, it’s also another way to blast your music while doing chores.

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Example of Chromecast/Apple Tv

2. General Appliances

There are many appliances that be control towards your smart home and make your life easier. There are a huge variety of smart appliances that you could choose from. Few examples are fridges, ovens, heaters, air conditioners, which those appliances are able to give you notifications. A popular appliance that most people have in their homes are automatic vacuums which will send you a notification once it’s finished or if it’s stuck somewhere in the house. Some appliances can be controlled on your phone or by using voice commands. Voice commands only work if you have a smart device, like Alexa or Google Assistant.

3. Lighting and Temperature Control

Are you all comfy and warm in your bed but forgot to turn the lights off? With your smart home appliances like purchasing smart lights, you can turn the lights off from your phone and stay in your cocoon of warmth. Having a smart thermostat in your household can also be controlled from your phone or using voice command.

4. Home Security

Security plays a huge part in our lives as we want to keep our belongings secure. With a smart home, you’re able to control your gates from your phone. Install cameras which you can also see from your phone and purchase a smart doorbell which comes with a camera. Works best if you’re connected with Wi-Fi.

5. Sustainability

Smart home appliances are environmentally friendly and can be sustainable for you as there are gadgets and appliances that can track your energy usage and water consumption. This can help you use less energy and water.

6. Remote Access

The best thing about investing into a smart home is that everything can be controlled from your phone no matter where you are as long as you have a strong internet connection. Think you left the lights on while you’re on vacation? Worry no more because with remote access, you’re able to turn the lights off from your phone.

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Remote Access through your smart phone | Photo Credit – iStock

7. Accessibility

Smart homes are easy to use and accessible to everyone. This can be extremely helpful with people who have a disability as they can use voice commands to turn things on and off and be able to control things without having to get up.

Cost of Setting up & Running a Smart Home

With upgrading your house, there will always be associated costs and creating a smart home is no different. Smart homes NZ do have smart home appliances and smart home technology that do cost significantly more due to the lack of interest and popularity in them. But it’s been predicted that these prices may drop and become more popular in the next few years. Running a smart home can also be costly as you’re introducing more powered devices to your house. Look at it this way, buying a house is an investment. Doing a full home renovation so that you love your house even more is also an investment. Setting up a smart home is also an investment.

Setup Costs

Setting up your smart home NZ or purchasing your very first smart home technology can cost significantly more than ordinary items that does the exact same things but with manual assistant. An example of this could be having LED bulbs. LED bulbs can range between $10 – $20. Whereas smart bulbs can range from $30 – $40. A little jump in price but it’s enough reason as to why consumers prefer not to adopt in smart home technology.

Running Costs

It’s no secret that having a smart home will incur additional running costs to your power bill. However, with intelligent choices and enough research, you can reduce your costs and lower you water and electricity usage.

Taking your time and carefully considering when choosing your smart home technology, setting up and managing your IoT (Internet of Things) appliances can have a positive impact on the cost in smart homes NZ.

Do Smart Homes Save Money?

Smart homes can indeed save money. As said before having a smart home is an investment that can pay off in the long run. To save money you’ll need to set up and manage the devices correctly. When setting up your smart home devices or items. Consider on-time and power consumption. Creating smart solution homes by choosing energy efficient smart homes technology. When you do a full home renovation, we encourage you to think about incorporating smart solution ideas in your full home renovation.

When purchasing smart bulbs, consider buying the more energy efficient LED lights. With many researches, LED lights are shown to be the better option as they run cooler, use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. Studies have found that LED bulbs use between 75% and 80% less energy than an incandescent bulb.

Another benefit to encourage you to use LED bulbs is the extended lifetime they have. Most if not all LED bulbs have around 25,000 hours of life. Compared to incandescent bulb which can last around 1000 hours.

As said earlier, LED bulbs are significantly cooler than incandescent. Incandescent bulbs in the house can slowly increase the ambient temperature of the house, increasing the costs of cooling the house. When thinking about a full home renovation, consider opting for LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs in smart homes NZ.

Another way a smart home can help you save money is investing in purchasing a smart thermostat which can help you save on energy bills. Smart thermostats can allow excellent control over heating and cooling the house and you’re able to monitor the temperature with your phone.

How to Get Started with a Basic Smart Home?

Starting to move towards having a smart home is very exciting no matter if it’s one smart item or multiple smart items. But if you are looking to create an 100% smart home. It’s important to plan it out and consider smart home technology and smart solution homes. Which can help you get the best possible solution for your budget.

Planning

Thinking of having a smart home? But not sure where to start? There are many smart devices that is advertised to you. But not all of them are the right fit for you or your house. This is where planning becomes a vital stage of creating a smart home. There are many tools to help with this process and make your planning easier.

Firstly, you’d want to do research in which smart home device is compatible with your home. Start by writing down the different devices that would work well with your house. If there’s too many options, consider a pros and cons list of them all.

Secondly, you’d want to decide where you’ll place the device. The most popular place that people put their smart devices is usually in the living room or the kitchen. This is due to having easy access to power outlets. Some smart devices also have a wired network capability and can often work better when wired.

Once that is all sorted, you can go ahead and set up your smart device. You’d want to set up schedules which can help reduce your energy bills as well as playing around with it to get more comfortable with the app. Trying out all the features that your smart device can provide. This is a great way to slowly inch your way to making you house a smart house with smart home technology.

Installing

When it comes to setting up smart devices that are somewhat like Amazon Alexa, they are easy to set up. But with smart bulbs and smart outlets, it can be a different story entirely. If you need help installing new outlets or needing new cable runs. It’s the safest choice for you to hire an electrician who can do all the electrical work.

Top 4 Recommended Energy Efficient Appliances

1. Smart Thermostats

When renovating your house, consider purchasing a smart thermostat for your house. Or if you’re designing your house, switch out your old thermostat for a smart thermostat. This can help cut down on energy consumption. Smart thermostats help regulate and automate your heating and cooling. They can also be controlled from your phone.

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Smart Thermostat which can be controlled from phone | Photo Credit – iStock

2. Smart Lighting

When designing your house, consider purchasing smart lighting that can connect to your smart home device. Having smart lights in your smart home means you can schedule when the lights turn on and off. Switching to LED bulbs will also help reduce your energy usage.

Check out some smart light bulbs from Bunnings

3. Smart Fridge

When considering your kitchen design, opt for a smart fridge as they are energy efficient and come with heaps of benefits. A smart fridge gives you an option to write a virtual bulletin board for your family with a ‘to do list’, reminders or quote of the day. Sick of having expired food in your fridge? With the smart fridge, the appliance is able to keep track of expiration dates, so you don’t waste any food.

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Smart Fridge with touch screen options | Photo Credit – iStock

4. Smart Outlets

Thinking of making your house more modern? Consider switching some outlets to smart outlets to make your house eco-friendly. Normal outlets constantly drain energy even when you aren’t using it and to stop it from draining energy, you’ll have to turn the outlet off. Not everyone has time to turn the outlet on and off everything. With the smart outlet, they automatically detect when you aren’t using it and cuts the power off. This is a great way to be more energy efficient.

How to Secure Your Smart Home Security? 5 Essential Tips

1. Set up your router correctly

A key tip when thinking about securing your smart home security is understanding that your Wi-Fi router is the doorway to your smart home. Setting up your router correctly by following all instructions and these tips will secure your home security. Therefore, eliminating the threat of a possible hacker.

2. Change the routers default name

It’s important to change your router name as keeping it as the default name will make it easier for people to find default login details. Using the default name will make it easier for others to gain access to your smart home. When changing the router name, be creative and remember to leave personal details out.

3. Set the password to something unique

Include capital letters, numbers and symbols in your password which can create a super strong password for your smart home security. You can also consider using a random password generator if you can’t come with anything. The generator will provide you options and be sure to write the password down somewhere in case you forget it.

4. Disable features you don’t use

There are many features that come with a smart device, and most times you’ll end up only using a few things. Be sure to disable any feature you don’t need like voice control on certain features. This is because if someone hacks into your smart device, they’re able to listen to your conversations and hear everything you say. Therefore, disabling features, you don’t use, eliminates the threat of that problem.

5. Enable multi-factor authentication

Enable a multi-factor authentication onto your smart home device is a great way to increase security and prevent others from hacking your smart home device. The best two factor authentication to use for a smart device is sending a verification code to your mobile device to gain access to the smart home device. As we always have our phone on us, if you get sent a verification code that you’re unsure off you can change the password on your smart home device or improve the security.

Benefits of Installing Smart Kitchen Appliances

1. Smart devices provide useful notifications

With technology growing, smart appliances are becoming trendy and somewhat useful. Based on the smart appliances you have, they’re able to send you notifications to let you know if you didn’t close the fridge properly, or if the dishwasher is finished. Mundane tasks that could let you get on with other things you need to do without worrying if you left the fridge open or not as your smart appliances or devices will send you a notification.

With smart appliances and smart devices, they’ll let you know if they’re malfunctioning, and you’ll be able to get them fixed before they actually break.

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Notification received on phone

2. Energy efficient appliances cut costs

Although smart appliances are more expensive than normal household appliances, they’re a good investment to make when creating a smart home. Not only are you just investing in the appliance itself, but you’re also investing into the software and technology that is integrated into the appliance.

Smart kitchen appliances can help you track your energy consumption by letting you know which is using the most energy to help you cut cost. These smart kitchen appliances can be monitor on a regular daily basis from your phone.

3. Cooking made easy

With having a smart kitchen, it makes cooking easier as there are some smart kitchen appliances that lets you know important information. An example of this would be letting you know the perfect temperature for cooked meat which will eliminate any food poisoning. This makes preparing food safer.

There are some smart ovens that don’t require you to sit around the kitchen and keep an eye on the oven to make sure your food isn’t burning. The smart oven itself will cook your dish for you and then put it on ‘warming mode’ until you’re ready to eat. There are many benefits to having smart appliances in your kitchen and this is one of them.

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Example of a small smart oven | Photo Credit – iStock

4. Less worry when you’re on vacation

Constantly think someone is going to break into your house when you’re on vacation? With your smart home, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your home and eliminate any worries you might have. Having smart lights in your smart home will make your house feel less empty when you’re on vacation. Which can give an illusion of someone being home because the lights are on since smart lights are accessible from your device.

5. Smart Appliances

Some great smart appliances to add to your smart home kitchen are smart dishwashers and smart refrigerators. Smart refrigerators have a camera in the inside so, when shopping for groceries you’ll know what you need. Having a smart refrigerator also helps monitor and control energy usage and sends you a notification letting you know if there is a power outage or if you didn’t close the door properly.

A great feature that is included in a smart dishwasher is that if there were a leak, the dishwasher would let you know. Smart dishwashers stop working once it detects a leak and shut themselves off to protect flooring. Which is helpful as you’re able to get that fixed asap. These are some essential items to think about having in your smart home.

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Example of having a smart dishwasher and features | Photo Credit – iStock

How to Create a Smart Bathroom? 6 Tips to Help.

1. Voice control in the bathroom

With your smart device, you’re able to take advantage of using voice commands when showering or too busy to do it yourself. You can use your smart devices to adjust smart lighting or to change music. The best thing about this is that you can use any smart device to do this. Using a virtual digital assistant helps add another layer of convenience to your smart home and make your bathroom design more luxurious.

2. Smart shower

Are you always waiting for your shower to heat up before jumping in? With smart showers you don’t have to wait for the shower to heat up. Smart showers let you adjust the temperature towards your liking, so you can step into the shower with the perfect water temperature. Another benefit of a smart shower is that you can adjust a time limit for your shower to ensure that you’re not late for anything. Smart showers help lower your water usage and smart showers also come with Bluetooth speakers which can connect to your phone. Have a shower, have a party, have a concert.

3. Soaking tubs

Having a smart bathroom doesn’t always have to mean having smart appliances or a smart device. Creating a smart bathroom can be from how you design the space and keeping bathroom accessories organized. Standalone soaking tubs are a great way to help eliminate clutter in your bathroom. Having a standalone soaking tub in your bathroom will help replicate the experience of a spa treatment. If your bathroom has space, consider purchasing a standing bathtub in your bathroom design.

Although our past renovated bathrooms don’t feature all smart bathroom appliances and gadgets. The most popular item that most bathroom renovations are standalone tubs or soaking tubs. Check out a few of our bathroom renovations with a standalone bathtub below!

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Soaking Tub | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Standalone Bathtub in Greenhithe

Standalone Bathtub in Redvale

4. 21^st century toilets

Bidets have been around for a while now, most popular in Japan. Although people see bidets as a luxury product and unusual to have in your home. When thinking of 21^st century toilets, there are more products that aren’t bidets. So, if bidets aren’t your thing, don’t worry. There are other ways to smarten up your bathroom.

Smart toilets have motion sensors that can put the toilet seat up or down, depending on your preference. Some toilets will automatically flush on its own once you’ve finished your business. There are also smart toilets that can self-clean. Some benefits of having a smart toilet are that they’re environmentally friendly, reduce the risk of overflowing and some smart toilets can instantly clean themselves. This will definitely add a new element into your smart home. Consider them in your bathroom design.

Web_1200x900-Roca-Meridian-Back-to-Wall-Bidet-1-Taphole-White A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

Example of Bidet in Bathroom | Photo Credit: Reece

5. Intelligent faucets

Smart faucets have been around for a while and some shopping malls have implemented them into public toilets. This is a great idea nowadays as it reduces the risk of and germs and bacteria spreading as those faucets are motion sensor. Consider smart faucets in your bathroom design. Having a smart faucet in your smart home will help lower your water usage and saves energy. Also eliminates bacteria spreading around the house if someone in the family is sick.

6. Design

Want a smart bathroom but on a budget? There are many different ways that you can create a smart bathroom without purchasing all the smart bathroom appliances. You can create a smart bathroom by purchasing small gadgets like a smart outlet to start off with. Changing your bathroom fixtures and fittings is a great way to create a smart bathroom without all the expensive appliances. Consider fittings and fixtures that can make your bathroom look smart in your bathroom design.

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Example of a smart bathroom design | Photo Credit – iStock

Check out our top 15 bathroom design trends blog for more inspiration

The History of Kitchen Technology

Kitchen technology has always been in the works since our technology has become more advanced. As it helps reduce the amount of work that we need to do in the kitchen. Since kitchen appliances have been around for a very long time, it’s hard to make changes to making your kitchen smarter. As decades go past, the design and style of kitchen appliances have become smarter, sleeker, and more energy efficient. Over the years there has been plenty of changes to create smart homes technology as well as coming up with smart solution homes to make life easier. Especially more creative ideas for small kitchen design as not everyone has the luxury of having a big kitchen.

High – tech Kitchen Trends

As often stated, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In your kitchen design idea, make sure to spend extra time making sure that the kitchen is perfect for your needs. As it is the heart of the home, we often spend a lot of time in there. Not only does it serve as a place where you cook, but a place where everyone can gather and where you can entertain guests. Or cooking a meal but also feeling included with friends and family. How to design a kitchen that can incorporate all these things? Smart home technology has come a long way and there are now smart kitchen appliances that you can purchase. Incorporate them into your kitchen design idea.

Total Integration and Automation

Due to the pandemic, everyone has spent most of the year stuck in their house. Some may have discovered that their house was lacking a bit in terms of entertainment and caring for their needs. It’s safe to say that we’ve had those days where we just want to be lazy. Having smart home technology can really help with being lazy on those days. Having total integration of your smart home devices will mean that you can control every smart home technology from your phone.

Smart homes NZ will need to have smart solution homes so that your device connected to smart home technology is flexible. Instead of having a full home renovation to make your smart home flexible. You can start small and consider kitchen design ideas to make space for smart home technology. Smart devices can be customised and will become more popular in the next few years to come.

Disaster Preparation

Due to climate change and the constant increase temperature of our planet, can cause natural disasters to happen more often. Homeowners are looking to be prepared for whatever my strike. We’d want to feel safe and comfortable knowing that we can survive instead our homes for an extended period. Which is ironic as many if not all of us have stayed in our houses for months, only leaving for groceries. Having these smart solution homes can help make your house more fun and enjoyable to live in if we were to be stuck inside for a long period of time.

To prepare, people are thinking how to design a kitchen? Sure, you’re current kitchen is fine but if you’re looking for an upgrade, you’d want to start thinking about small kitchen designs or kitchen design ideas based on how big your kitchen is.

Purchasing water storage systems, backup generators for refrigerators, long term food storage areas ad solar water heaters are becoming more popular for the unforeseeable future. Some research says that in the upcoming years. As we move into more of a technology age, new builds will also have some technology integrated into the houses to meet homeowners’ desires.

Self – Cleaning

We love a clean house. But sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself to clean the house. With smart home technology, there will soon be more smart solution home ideas to make cleaning easier. With touchless appliances, robot vacuums with built – in mops and be able to introduce more voice control integration. That way you can just shout out to your smart device to start the vacuum and the vacuum starts. How cool is that! Especially if you need small kitchen design idea to make your kitchen more interesting. Having self-cleaning appliances are perfect for the lazy days.

Ever since the pandemic hit, we’ve been cleaning more often and sanitising everything. Not only that but we’ve been spending a whole year at home and more cautious around frequently touched surfaces in public spaces. How to design a kitchen that can also help reduce the spread of germs? Having smart home technology can help enable consumers to have touchless access and be able to control stuff straight from their mobile devices or through voice commands. This smart home solution will make your house even more safer during high risk times and more convenient for you.

Going Green

Nowadays, we are trying our best to reduce our environmental footprint. Therefore, resulting in kitchen design ideas that will ensure having a greener kitchen. Having a greener kitchen is expected to be the next upcoming trend for future kitchen design trends. Which you can think about adding in your small kitchen design idea. This is due to having more appliances that will be more sustainable and efficient.

Smart homes NZ requires smart solution home ideas to reduce your environmental footprint by purchasing smart home technology this is more efficient. Although having smart home technology uses power to work, you may be worried about your utility bill going up. But that’s not the case. Using smart appliances in smart homes NZ can help you reduce your utility bill due to them being energy efficient.

Devices to Expect in Kitchens of the Future

As we move more into the future, our technology will only gross and become more advance. Down below we have found 6 high tech that are already here or for the future that will make your time in the kitchen more fun. And what you can expect your smart home to look like in the next decade or so?

1. Countertop Projector

Countertop project has been introduced to the world for the last decade or so but not many people are interested in it. As it’s still in the works and coming up with ways to make it better. Here is just a few reasons as to why you should get one for your smart home technology. This device allows you to control other appliances, scan the thickness of food as well as being able to get tips on how to cook certain items.

Another added benefit is that the countertop project doesn’t take up any counter space as we all know counter space is crucial. It can also help improve your cooking and baking skill. When thinking about your kitchen design ideas, consider having a countertop projector to make your cookier easier. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many options available to purchase from in New Zealand so further research is needed.

Countertop projector can be small which is perfect for a small kitchen design as storage space is super important in a small kitchen design as you’d want to ensure that your kitchen is perfect.

2. Steam Oven

If you’re not a big fan of cooking, you’d love learning about smart solution home idea to make your cooking easier. This is where steam ovens come in. Steam cooking is becoming the healthier alternative to other cooking methods. Like frying or baking. Using the steam oven still provides the same taste as how you’ll cook it normally. This will eliminate the unnecessary oil that pops up when you cook.

An advantage of using a steam oven is that it’s energy efficient and have an energy efficient consumption system. With the steam oven, it can also cook your food faster than regular ovens which also helps you save energy. If you’re having a late dinner, using a steam oven would be more efficient as you won’t have to wait long to cook the food you’d want to eat.

3. Smart Scales

If you’re interested in eating healthy or staring a new diet like going on a calorie deficit. The smart scale may be able to help you out. Not only does a smart scale tell you how much something weighs but they can break down it’s nutritional value. So, you won’t have to search it up as it’s right there in front of you.

In some cases, you can even use the smart scale to weigh your entire meal and get all the nutritional value of it. If set up right, you may even be able to connect the smart scale with your favourite nutritional app to keep track. It’s small and light, which is perfect for a small kitchen design as you’d want to utilise all the space available.

4. Digital Backsplashes

In a small kitchen design, the most important thing is space. And knowing how to utilise the space. Having a digital backsplash instead of tiled backsplashes would prove more useful. Sure, it’s a bit expensive to have a digital backsplash but in the end, it’d be money well spent. This smart home technology can allow you to watch tv, look up recipes and be able to control your other smart home appliances.

Feeling bored of your tiled backsplash? With the digital backsplash you can change it to whatever you want. Whether that is photos of friends and family or artwork. Something that suits your aesthetic or mood of the day. you can. Change you backsplash every single day if you’d life. No need to go shopping and spending more money to change your tile backsplash when you get sick of it.

While this technology has yet to be introduced to the market. Consumers are already doing their research on how well the digital backsplash can benefit them. It’d make following a video teaching you how to make something much easier as you can use your entire backsplash as a screen. For small kitchen design ideas this would be perfection for decoration purposes as you have limited space to decorate as well as still being able to utilise your kitchen space.

5. Smart Oven Hood

Oven hoods play a huge part in making our kitchen functional helps with air circulation and help reduce odours. When you question how to design a kitchen. You’d always want to make space for an oven hood as that is crucial to have in your kitchen design ideas. Smart oven hoods will be able to provide you access with your favourite apps. Even comes with a built in camera so you’re able to live stream your cooking skills and techniques.

Once again, this is perfect for a small kitchen design idea as every kitchen needs an oven hood. So why not get a smart oven hood that is multi-functional!

6. High – Tech Lighting

As we slowly move into incorporating smart home technology in our homes. Smart homes NZ have introduced smart light bulbs and plugs as smart solution homes idea. This is due to them being easy to install and allow for total customization. As our technology evolves more, we’ll be able to control our lighting with our voice.

How to design a kitchen? Consider kitchen lighting as you’d want to make sure that every inch of the kitchen has light and not a dark corner. Consider ambient and task lighting in your kitchen design idea. In the next few upcoming years, windows and blinds can also be adjusted automatically to reduce sun glare, allow sunlight or darken a room based on your needs and activity.

Which Features Matter Most?

As consumers, we mainly only go for smart solutions home that can really benefit us. For example smart lights that we can control via voice command or from our smart devices. Which can lead to number of smart gadgets that don’t communicate well. Also resulting in have dozens of different apps to control your house.

To solve this issue and ensure that you won’t have this problem. Consider purchasing a smart home automation hub that can support all the devices you wish to have in your smart home.

Smart Sensors Protect the Home

There are many benefits to investing in smart home technology. Especially as they’re able to let you know how well they’re functioning and what needs repairing when faulty. Usually we wouldn’t notice if something was faulty unless it starts acting up. This can result in costly consequences.

Smart thermostats are able to provide alerts if your house loses power or if the temperature goes below or above your maximum or minimum temperature.

Having smart kitchen appliances can also help detect any water leaks. Alerting owner about any potential leaks. So you’re able to get it repaired before it gets worse.

How Environmentally Friendly are Smart Homes?

Smart homes have been known to be environmentally friendly with smart appliances as they help lower your water and energy usage. A popular smart technology that helps make your smart home environmentally friendly are smart thermostats. You can adjust the temperate from your phone and smart thermostats will automatically turn off if a door was left open. This can help minimize your carbon footprint.

Another way that having a smart home can help minimise your carbon footprint is having smart lighting. With smart lighting you’re able to control from your phone. This can ensure that you’ve turned your lights off when going on vacation. Wasting electricity and forgetting to turn lights off leaves a massive carbon footprint, so investing in smart lighting helps make your home environmentally friendly.

3 Reasons Why Smart Home Features Increase Your Home’s Value

1. Increased Security

Video doorbells are amazing smart home technology that you can incorporate into your house to increase your home safety and your house value. Having a video doorbell is now becoming more popular as people purchase their first homes. This allows you to see who is it at door from your smart device as we’re more cautious when it comes to opening the front door. While it’s unlikely that a burglar would push past you to enter your home, it’s also handy to avoid talking to door to door salesman.

Video doorbells works with wireless technology as they’re easy to install and provides a two way video and audio communication system. That way you can jokingly deny access to your friends and family.

Not only that, but your video doorbell also works as a security camera so you’re able to see when your package has been delivered. And for many other reasons like being able to see if someone was causing a problem or vandalising your property.

2. Fully Automated Home

Best thing about having one integrated systems that connects all your smart home technology in your smart home is that you’re able to control everything and anything at all times! This definitely creates a huge selling point to buyers as it brings more ease and convenience into your busy lives.

This is where your smart assistant like Amazon Alexa would come into play and be extremely helpful. As you can connect them all to your Alexa and control them from one app. This can work with any smart assistant and is not limited to Amazon Alexa.

Smart home assistants are completely voice controlled once set up and can be voice commanded to control your lights, home media, heating, air conditioner and many more. Not only can your smart assistant control your smart home technology. But it can also tell you information on just about everything. As smart assistants have AI technology, they’re able to learn from interactions and provide you with content that you’ll like.

3. A Warm Welcome Home

Currently, the most popular smart home solution is smart lighting system. They can add significant value to your home as it provides many benefits. Did you know that smart lighting can increase the security in your home? This is due to you activating them to turn on even when you aren’t home to give the illusion that someone is home.

After having a long day, you don’t want to come home to complete darkness. Having smart lights that can activate around a certain time is a great way to be welcomed home to lift your spirits. Especially when you can also control your air conditioning from your phone. You’ll walk into a perfectly lit warm household. Perfect for those cold winter days.

Another benefit of smart lights is that you’re able to customise the light setting. Perfect if you’re waking up early or going to bed late. You’re able to dim the lights so that you’re still able to see but also not wake or disturb anyone else.

Having the help of your smart assistant, you can tell them to turn the lights on and off as you leave an empty room which can increase the value of your house.

Having automated heating systems allow you to pre-set the heating so your house temperature is perfect at all time. This ensures that your home is always warm or cool but also stops you from wasting money and energy heating up your house when you’re not there. Forgot if you turned the heater off or not? With an automated heating system, you’re able to double check straight from your phone.

There are many great benefits to investing in smart home technology as they have your home more comfortable and convenient for you and your family. If you’re interested, look for smart home technology that will help increase security. Creating a warm, comfortable environment and potentially your dream home without the extra costs of having a full house renovation.

Top Smart Devices to Use in Your Smart Home.

There are plenty of smart devices that are coming out nowadays, which gives you as a consumer plenty of options. Though having too many options can be overwhelming. The top three smart devices to install for your smart home is the Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Siri aka HomePod.

Based on our research we have found some advantages of using these three smart devices. Advantages for Amazon Alexa is that it’s easy to use and easy to set up and Alexa has more than 10,000 skills. Alexa can answer anything you ask her although her response might not be the answer you want. Another advantage of Alexa is that it’s compatible with any device. A main disadvantage of Alexa is that you can’t trigger her from your phone and Alexa doesn’t always understand you inquires.

photo-1568910748155-01ca989dbdd6?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8YWxleGF8ZW58MHx8MHx8&ixlib=rb-1.2 A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

Amazon Alexa | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Google Home or Google Assistant is another popular smart device suitable for your smart home. Some advantages of Google Home are that they’ve proven that their AI is more advance than any other smart devices. A disadvantage of Google Home is that you can only summon it by saying ‘Ok Google”, which can become annoying. Another one is that Google Home also won’t understand your commands and inquires all the time.

photo-1530546171585-cc042ea5d7ab?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8Z29vZ2xlJTIwYXNzaXN0YW50fGVufDB8fDB8fA%3D%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2 A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

Google Assistant | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Lastly, another smart device that is the HomePod which is associated with Apple’s Siri and some advantages of this smart device is that it’s easy to set up because it works directly with your home kit app that is already installed into your phone. A big disadvantage is that this is only accessible via apple products. So, if you don’t have an apple product then the HomePod is not available for you to use.

photo-1529359744902-86b2ab9edaea?ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MXx8aG9tZXBvZHxlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&ixlib=rb-1.2 A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

Apple HomePod | Photo Credit – Unsplash

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

House Renovation

装修费用–奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

August 7, 20210

注：本文已更新，增加了房屋装修的内容，并反映了2021年以及2022年的费用。

人们几乎在每个季节都会根据他们个人的想法，尝试对他们的房屋做一些翻新。装修不仅是为了使您的房子从内部到外部看起来更具有吸引力和更美观。同时，装修更是提升功能性以及改善居家生活便捷程度的方法。

无论您是想扩建您的房子，还是您希望在室内装潢中做一些小改动，装修都会是一个艰难的过程。因为装修涉及到许多技术问题，它并不像改变您的家具摆放一样简单，所以我们通常建议客户雇用专业人士来进行装修。

家庭装修包括DIY装修在2020年网络搜索中呈上升趋势，并且这一趋势在2021年得以延续。与此同时，对于家庭装修，我们也看到装修贷款的查询增加。这表示，在低利率房屋贷款的推动下在低利率房屋贷款的推动下，房主们正在将翻新他们的房屋视为一种（增加房屋价值的）可能性。同时，针对出租房产的装修咨询也在增加，虽然房地产市场持续低迷，但房地产投资者仍在寻找增加价值的方法（并利用低息贷款来融资）。

欲了解更多关于装修贷款信息…

人们认为，实际的装修费用取决于房间或空间的大小，但事实并非如此。在奥克兰，装修费用根据不同的风格、（布局）调整、固定家具以及装修材料的变化而不同。

: Before – Full House Renovation in West Harbour, Auckland

: After – Full House Renovation in West Harbour, Auckland

砖房的粉刷前后对比（新西兰）–一幢位于在West Harbour的砖房外部装修案例，其中包括：屋顶粉刷，新的混凝土车道，墙砖粉刷，新雨水管，整屋升级至双层玻璃窗户，新电动院门，全外观维修以及外墙隔板粉刷。

浴室装修费用计算器

您希望了解浴室装修费用吗？欢迎使用我们浴室装修费用计算器，（您可以快速获得报价的免费小工具）–已更新至2023年。更多详情，请点击：浴室装修费用计算器

我们会在这篇文章中，讨论以下内容

2021年，房屋装修如何受到影响 ↓

在奥克兰确定全屋装修费用的难易程度 ↓

奥克兰房屋扩建的成本 ↓

每平方米的装修成本 ↓

平均房屋装修费用表（厨房、浴室、露台等的装修费用） ↓

准备阶段的注意事项 ↓

如何选择合适的装修公司进行装修 ↓

便捷家庭装修费用计算器 ↓

QR-code-to-Page 装修费用--奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

扫描二维码, 在小红书上找到我

体验家居改造的艺术，选择Superior Renovations！我们是奥克兰首屈一指的浴室、厨房及全屋装修专家。从概念设计到完工，我们的团队确保每个细节都完美无缺。扫描二维码，在小红书上关注我们，获取最新项目、装修技巧和灵感

扫描二维码，通过微信联系我们！

想开始您的装修之旅吗？通过微信与Superior Renovations联系，享受便捷、个性化的服务体验。立即扫描，提问、获取专家建议，踏出家居改造的第一步！

SUPERIOR-RENOVATIONS 装修费用--奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

1. 2022年的房屋装修情况

因为有大量的装修需求，以至于装修行业不会减缓（发展）。如上所述，实际上我们已经看到了增长，我们推测是由于以下原因（带来的增长）：

– 用房屋贷款为他们的装修工程融资（低利率）

-在市场停滞不前的情况下，想办法提高价值

– Covid-19的封城，刺激了装修的需求

我们的服务和与客户保持良好的互动一直是我们的优势，并且使我们成为奥克兰同行业中的佼佼者。如果您目前住在奥克兰，您可能已经注意到，装修工程车的数量已经大幅增加，但还是不能满足需求的。

无论消费者信心指数如何，在（奥克兰）装修施工行业持续增长的同时，特别是居民住宅领域，奥克兰建筑和房屋装修的需求也上升到一个显著的水平。如果您也想在奥克兰或者其他地区购买房产，事实证明，现在这已经变得非常具有挑战性。

拥有自己的家是一件很幸福的事。人们的观念随着时间的推移而变化。每当人们觉得需要改变或接触到市场上新的产品时，便会希望这些应用到自己的家中。正因为我们一直致力于为奥克兰的客户提供最好的和高品质的装修服务，所以您无需再在互联网上费力搜索或者寻找奥克兰装修服务。

Superior-Renovations-Auckland-2-1000-1 装修费用--奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

Superior Renovations – Kitchen Renovation

如果您考虑装修，可能是以下几个原因：

– 扩建您的房子。

– 在您的房子原有基础上加盖一层。

– 根据您个人喜好，对房屋的内部进行装修。

– 对厨房或浴室进行升级改造

– 分割或扩展住宅的不同功能区域。

– 改善您的日常体验

– 增加房屋的价值

了解更多：

2021年装修指南—获得投资回报且增加家庭住宅舒适度

我们会结合客户的预算和生活方式进行装修和恰当的设计。我们会尽可能的在客户可承受的范围内，为客户呈现更具有吸引力和更美观的装修成果。

如果说房产是您最重要的资产之一，那么装修就是紧随其后需要考虑的事情，用以保持/增加（房产）的价值。人们花费数十亿纽币对他们的房产进行装修。近几年来，新西兰每平方米的装修费用在奥克兰房屋装修建筑行业的数据一直保持稳定，并没有明显的飙升。

Superior Renovations

项目在哪里？

如您所了解到的，奥克兰是以其房产和地理位置而闻名，特别是在传统老区，如Ponsonby, Mt Eden, Sandringham, Glenfield, Howick等，有很多可供装修的房屋。几乎在奥克兰的每一个地区，都有对房屋装修的需求。人们翻新房产的关键目的是希望提高其在市场上的期望值和正确的引导市场以目标售价吸引合适的买家，而考虑到每个地区的人口结构不同，这并不容易。

近年来，因为一些老房占有更大面积的土地，所以土地分割也开始变得更受欢迎。

2. 2022年在奥克兰装修成本是多少？

确认装修成本是一件棘手且复杂的事情

因为装修是根据客户的需求以及想法的不同，会存在着很大差异，

如果您正在考虑购买一处房产且需要翻新，需要了解装修大致需要的费用以避免购买后没有充足预算。如果您正在装修自己的住宅，优先考虑自己日常必需事物，然后在预算允许的情况下，再考虑更多需求。

如果您清楚即将装修区域的大小，可以提前计算一些装修费用/费率（但请注意，这仅是一个平均值）。在装修过程中，您需要留有 10% 的应急预算，在装修开始后，可能会有不可预见的支出——也许您想增加更多的产品，或者有需要更换的木头建材。

整屋翻新案例

: Bathroom renovation

: New floors and full house painting

: New floors and full house painting

: Bathroom Renovation

: Renovated Bedroom

: Renovated Rumpus

: Renovated Lounge

: Renovated Bedroom

奥克兰St Heliers 整屋翻新包含：洗手间装修，两个卫浴装修，洗衣区装修，整屋内部粉刷，露台翻新，（房屋）内部房间门换新，（房屋）内部楼梯以及玻璃围栏扶手的安装，移除墙纸和墙面批灰，外部粉刷和安装扶手

在奥克兰不同需求的整屋装修案例

为住在Avondale三世同堂大家庭的整屋翻新

为提高（一处）位于St Heliers的房产的售价的整屋翻新

Hillsborough老屋整屋翻新

3. 奥克兰房屋扩建成本

当您可以卖掉奥克兰的房子并搬到更大的房子时，为什么还要考虑房屋扩建？

考虑房屋扩建通常是因为以下四个理由：

如果您喜欢您所居住的地区，您不一定要搬家。
完成您想做的改变，而不是满足于还可以的事物
扩建房屋可能比搬到更大的房子成本更低
您可能对您目前的房子或地区有感情，不想离开

通常来说，在奥克兰扩建房屋的平均费用–50平方米的底层房屋扩建费用一般为$100,000-$150,000纽币。这相当于$2,000纽币/每平方米-$3,000纽币/每平方米。区别在于建筑的类型和建材的品质。

在您制定计划，确认扩建的规模和扩建的内容之前，您不会知道房屋扩建的确切费用。扩建计划的费用取决于其复杂性，将从$3000纽币到$5000纽币不等。

想了解自己的扩建项目的定制价格吗？请参照由Superior Renovations开发的免费房屋扩建成本计算器（新西兰）。

奥克兰两层房屋扩建的费用

两层房屋的扩建如何处理？

如果两层楼的面积相同，一般普遍的规律是在单层房屋扩建的建筑成本基础上再多加50%。

即$150,000 + 50% *$150,000= $225,000，以及加上20%的专业服务费用和15%的消费税。

在预估房屋扩建成本时，不要忘记窗户、装置，确保在规划和成本估算中包括以上这些。如果不这样做，当收到最终的发票，您可能会有一个惊喜。

规划房屋扩建是一项大工程，特别是有很多事情需要考虑，可能看起来令人生畏。最好的办法是先算出成本，一旦您对扩建工程的成本有了一个大致的概念，您就可以继续进行其他的工作。

当然，也可以从其它地方着手，通常最好的方法一般是从了解成本开始。

新西兰房屋扩建的一般流程

向建筑/装修公司进行初步咨询
由建筑设计师进行可行性研究
拟建前期费用
客户同意初始费用
客户、建筑师和建筑商进行实地（考察）会议
起草扩建计划草案并向客户介绍情况
提交最终的扩建计划以获得扩建许可
扩建许可获批
建筑商根据经批准的计划生成报价/建议/规格书
等待客户意见
建筑合同签署过程
收到初始定金
施工开始日期（同时预计完工日期）的确认

了解更多…

在奥克兰需要建筑许可的翻新工程

: Interior Renovation

: Interior Renovation

完整的内部装修案例，其中包括。新的围板，重新设计楼梯，安装玻璃栏杆，新的吊灯，安装新的地毯，并将所有的灯更换为LED灯。

4. 新西兰每平米的装修费用

在奥克兰各地区进行的不同类型的装修费用从每平方米$1800纽币到$2500纽币不等。

室内部分差不多需要$41,000纽币，但根据客户的要求，可能会达到$100,000纽币。如果您想对您的浴室进行一些翻新，那么必要的改动至少要花费$10,000纽币，而价格会随着更有吸引力的装饰装修而增加。这只是根据奥克兰（区域内）不同的装修价格，（计算出的）一个基础的成本价格指导。

奥克兰每平方米的房屋装修费用

如果您想了解每平方米的装修费用，您可以参照上述的指导价。虽然上面提到的每平方米的房屋装修费用并不精准，只是一个预估值，但可以让您根据您的预算考虑您的装修区域。在开始的时候，$1,800纽币每平方米是最便宜的装修费用。平均费用是每平方米$2,500纽币。凡是超过$3,000纽币/平方米的，无疑是一个令人望而却步的装修价格。

Superior Renovations

5. 房屋装修均价指南

房屋装修费用明细如下

房屋装修费用类型	价格区间
家装设计师费用	$2,000 – $6,000
测量师/工程师费用	$1,500 – $4,000
暖风机	$1,500 – $3,500
翻新管理	$1,200 – $3,000
电气设备	$2,200 – $4,400
管道设备	$2,700 – $4,200
施工团队	$15,000 – $25,000
精细木工（窗户）	$4,000 – $7,000
保温层	$1,000 – $3,600
屋顶	$4,400 – $9,600
屋内翻新	自$41,000起到远超 $100,000
浴室翻新成本	基本升级$7500起，$12,000 – $19,000为平均装修支出，而全面的重新设计装修要远超$25,000
厨房翻新成本	一般规模的厨房从$13,000到$22,000纽币不等，中等规模的从$22,000 – $28,000纽币不等，高端设计风格的厨房从$28,000纽币以上。
房屋扩建成本	$100,000 +
重装外墙	$150,000 +

新西兰每平米双层玻璃的成本

相比较换全新的双层玻璃和新框架，（给窗户）加装双层玻璃的费用要低得多，对于一个100平方米的房子，您可以预估大致的费用在$15,000-$18,000。而在现有的窗框上安装绝缘玻璃组件和排水系统，虽然这是一个比较经济的选择，但对于奥克兰的大多数家庭来说，在现有的窗框上是不能安装中空玻璃组件的。

只有在新房的窗框状况良好的情况下，才可以对窗户进行改造。（在奥克兰）老房子的窗框，因为各种原因的损坏或者倾斜，并不具备良好的（改造）条件。如果您的房子是新建的单层玻璃的房子，选择加装双层玻璃，其保温水平与用新的双层玻璃和新的框架程度相似，所以会是一个更质优价廉的选择。

在此处查看有关家庭双层玻璃成本的完整文章：

https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/what-is-double-glazing/

双层玻璃窗成本计算器

我们还制作了双层玻璃成本计算器（于 2022 年 8 月更新，以反映产品和劳动力的市场价格）——旨在让您根据所提供的信息获得一个预计花费的提示。

点击这里了解，双层玻璃的成本计算器:

https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/double-glazing-cost-calculator-nz/

IMG_0866-1000 装修费用--奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

Renovated Bathroom

Renovation-Massey-West-Auckland-4 装修费用--奥克兰2022年的装修费用是多少（已更新）Superior Renovations ®

Kitchen and House Renovation

房屋翻新是否值得？

人们对装修房产到底能不能增加它的价值感到困惑。我们可以和您保证，如果您的房子在奥克兰，那么装修是提高房产价值和美观度的最好方法。

这就是关于奥克兰家庭装修的知识是非常重要的原因。最好的贯彻目标的方法是，您应该多预估装修的预算，并设定无价的拍卖。这样可以让您制定一个适当的价格和利润分析。

无论您是打算对旧厨房进行现代化改造，还是通过给房屋增加一个露台来改善您的户外空间，在计划装修时，您的第一步将是弄清楚项目所涉及的成本、工作和时间。

6. 因此我们准备了一些小提示，可以有助您的房屋装修有个良好的开端。

做调查，弄清楚您想要什么

在开始寻求报价和选择材料之前，您应该对自己的需求有一个清晰的概念。如果您希望重新装修浴室，但不确定自己想要什么风格，您可以从家庭装修和设计杂志中获得灵感，或者利用Pinterest寻找创意想法，并将其收藏起来备用。

制定一个详细的计划

制定一个详细的装修计划对您的装修项目的成功至关重要，虽然您的装修公司可以提供帮助，但有一些事情您需要事先决定，比如，预算，偏好材料和完成效果。

为您的装修预留充足的时间

奥克兰的家庭装修项目最终可能比预期的时间长很多，所以您应为意外的延误留出足够的时间。规划更充足的时间，要比您认为需要的时间长，以防止事情进展比预期慢时，产生不必要的压力。

确保您已经考虑了所有的选项

在作出最后决定之前，最好从奥克兰的不同的装修公司获得建议和提案，这样您就可以进行比较，确保自己做出一个明智的决定。当然，高质量的材料价格更高，熟练的承包商往往比经验不足的承包商收费更高，所以要了解承包商的声誉，多提问题，寻找隐藏的费用。

要想把奥克兰的房子装修得漂亮又便宜，关键是要为自己制定一个目标，并描绘出您想要的整个画面，然后在一个值得信赖的装修公司的指导下，一步一步地装修您的房子的每个部分–他们会在整个过程中给您合理的建议，以避免代价高昂的错误。

7.选择装修公司时应该注意什么？

不要被华丽的网站和设计精美的运输车辆所吸引，合适的装修公司只需要有经验、资源、组织能力和真正有意愿帮助您装修您的梦想家园，请参阅下文，了解您应该寻找的公司。

奥克兰人在寻找潜在的装修公司时最应注意的五大事项:

1.令人印象深刻的过往项目合集 – 了解案例研究和装修的细节（规格），并提出问题。另一（方面的）原因是，您希望选择一个完成过令人印象深刻的过往项目的装修公司。因为一个完成了很多装修项目的公司，也会从中经历很多教训或者错误，可以帮助您避免发生同样的错误。

2.在类似规模和细节的项目上有可靠的记录 – 确保您选择的公司所做的工作与您所寻找的类似，甚至相同。大多数人犯的错误是选择了一个什么都做，但是却都不在行的公司。

3.良好的沟通 — 线索在他们的（客户主动的）在线评论，视频推荐（并非所有的公司都有视频推荐，而且要获得热情客户的（反馈）也不容易）。询问该公司（能否）提供乐于接受电话采访的过往客户的详细资料，如果一个公司不能向您提供至少5个客户的名单—这可能是危险的信号。

4.优秀的组织能力–这可能有点难以判断，但它体现在细节上，比如：

1. 他们的销售过程是怎样的？是否系统化？
2. 他们的推进能力和主动性如何？
3. 与办公室团队的预约进展如何？
4. 是否有明确的下一步指引？
5. 他们根据您的要求提出的建议的准确性如何？

5.真实的客户的评价，并不是来自他们的网站。在互联网搜索，访问他们网站以外的其他网页，查看他们的Facebook评论/帖子（了解是否有任何负面评论）

6.确保他们与有良好信誉的供应商有合作。确保您知道他们的供应（商品）来自哪里，以确保您得到的是质量好的零配件，以及您得到了单独的产品保证的支持。

8. 装修成本计算器

由于受欢迎的要求，对于那些正在考虑装修或只是研究的人来说，这是一个公平的要求，我们已经把3个成本计算器（内部建立）放在一起，以帮助。

房屋装修前后（新西兰） by Superior Renovations

: Before Kitchen Renovation

: After Kitchen Renovation

: After Bathroom Renovation

: Before Kitchen Renovation

: Before Kitchen Renovation

: After Kitchen Renovation

: Before – Kitchen and House Renovation

: After – Kitchen and House Renovation

: After Kitchen Renovation

为您的家庭装修提供更多资源

1 在奥克兰我们装修的厨房图库中，了解我们厨房装修的创意

常见问题

我是否可以选择固定装置和零配件，我是否可以自己提供这些?

当然可以--如果您想直接购买任何东西，并在适当的时候提供给我们安装，那么我们不反对这样做，但我们建议客户选择我们的供应商，原因有很多，首先我们（对其提供的产品）质量有信心，并且我们可以管理物流，获得批发价格，而且因为我们可以直接（与供应商）联系，所以可以较容易地排除在装修期间的（产生的）任何故障.

我是否需要雇用任何其他工种的施工人员来进行装修

一般来说，一家完善的装修公司会拥有涉及所有（工种的）工作的安排，以及与他们合作良好的供应商资源，这将会使装修的压力降低并且有更好的成本效益。房屋装修通常需要 8 到 10 个不同的工种参与，如果其中任何一个不可靠，将影响所有其它相关（工种的）工作。因此，如果客户希望单独雇用某个工种的工人，我们很难进行装修翻新

所有我接触过的建造商都说他们可以做我的工作。是什么让Superior Renovations与众不同

是的，现在有很多建造商，但Superior Renovations不只是建造商。我们专注于家居装修，这对于将现有房产改造成现代化的现代住宅是非常重要--我们的服务不仅限于装修，我们还负责家装设计，与建筑师的咨询，建筑改造批准书和供应商沟通以及物流

厨房装修需要多长时间?

一般来说，厨房装修从拆除之日后的5-6周内完成，这个时间是基于设计稿已经最终确认，并且厨房所需的零配件已经制造完成（需要额外时间制造的防溅板不包括在内

浴室装修需要多长时间?

一般来说，卫生间的装修从拆除之日后的3-4周内完成，但如果涉及到建筑改造批准书，时间会更长

如何规划房屋装修

首先准确地确定您要完成的工作，并从您的装修公司那里获得详细的工程范围。收到此信息后，您就会知道需要考虑什么——检查清单对于简化流程非常有帮助，否则它确实会变得不堪重负。您会在网上找到大量检查清单（例如如何选择建筑商），还可以查看高级装修电子书（里面有很多供您使用

房屋装修需要多长时间?

通常情况下，全屋装修需要3-6个月，这取决于装修的范围、复杂性和规模

全屋装修要花多少钱

在奥克兰，全屋装修（包括浴室和厨房）的平均花费在$80,000-$160,000纽币之间，取决于房屋的大小、建筑要求、产品/设备的选择以及一些其他原因

我的装修需要获得建筑许可吗?

如果您正在进行房屋建造工程，您可能需要申请建筑许可书。以下是一些需要建筑许可书的工作的例子。任何结构性建筑，包括新建筑、增建、改建、附属建筑（棚）和重新打桩，改变原有的管道和排水系统，建筑工地周围的高于1.5米的挡土墙，或顶部附近有建筑物或车道的挡土墙，高于2.5米的围栏和任何游泳池围栏，游泳池，离地面超过1.5米的露台，如果有疑问，我们建议您打电话给当地议会，与他们讨论您的项目

需要更多信息吗？

利用我们免费的完整的家庭装修指南（48页），无论您是已经在装修还是在决定装修的过程中，这都不是一个简单的过程，这个指南包括一个免费的100多个点的检查表 – 将帮助您避免代价高昂的错误

下载免费的装修指南（PDF）。

还有问题没有解决吗？赶快预约与Superior Renovations团队的免费咨询吧！

由Superior Renovations撰写

Superior Renovations迅速成为奥克兰最受推荐的装修公司之一，这归功于我们友好的态度、透明的定价和公开透明的方式。当您的奥克兰房屋需要装修/改造服务时，Superior Renovations是您可以信赖的团队，我们提供高质量的工艺、高效的进展和具有成本效益的解决方案。

或致电我们: 0800 199 888

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House Renovation

What is Double Glazing Vs Retrofit Double Glazing? – Which is right for your home?

April 6, 20210

A well-insulated house helps you maintain optimum temperature throughout all seasons. It protects you against cold in winter and heat in summer. This way you spend less on additional heating and cooling systems which makes insulating your home a very good investment. Insulation also provides a healthy environment for your home by preventing the build up of mould.

The four main areas that you can expect heat loss is your ceilings, walls, floors, and windows. In this article we will delve further into insulating windows and glass doors for homes in Auckland.

Single glazed windows (or pane of glass) has been insulating and protecting our homes for centuries, but is there anything better than glass? The answer to this is double glazed windows and doors.

Most new built homes have double glazing in accordance with New Zealand building code. However most older homes have standard glass for their windows and are struggling to keep their homes healthy which are often prone to moulding or they are paying high electricity bills for cooling/heating systems.

In this article we will discuss the following:

What is double glazing, triple glazing and Secondary glazing?
4 Factors that affect the performance of your double glazing (Spacers, type of glass, still air Vs gas and correct installation)
R rating for windows and what is right for you?
Pros and Cons of Double Glazing – Make a wise choice.
How much does it cost to install double glazing in Auckland?
Cost comparison between New double glazing, Retrofitting double glazing and Secondary glazing
Retrofitting Double glazing or Double glazing/ brand new windows (new frames + IGU) – What is right for your home?

Cost Calculator for Double Glazing Windows

This New Double Glazing Cost Calculator (Updated on August 2021 to reflect market prices of product and labour) is designed only for you to get an indication of what you can expect to invest based on the provided information.

Try it here: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/double-glazing-cost-calculator-nz/

What are Double Glazed Windows?

What is Double Glazing (Brand new windows + Insulated glass unit + New window frames)?

Glazing was a middle English term used for glass. A single glazed window is essentially just a sheet of glass. Double glazed windows on the other hand have 4 components that help with temperature control and insulation. First is the 2 panes of glass sheets that run parallel to each other. Then there is a spacer in the middle of the sheets which is bonded together with the panes of glass with a sealant. This space or cavity is filled with either still air or a gas to improve insulation. Brand new window frames are also manufactured for this Insulated glass unit. This basically means that the entire window of your home is replaced which contains a new frames as well as a Insulated glass unit.

iguglass What is Double Glazing Vs Retrofit Double Glazing? - Which is right for your home?

An example of an Insulated Glass unit used in double glazing. Picture by https://www.oneglass.com.au/igu-glass/

What is Retrofitting Double Glazed windows?

Retrofitting double glazing means that you fit an Insulated Glass unit like mentioned above and fit this unit into your existing window frames or joinery. This is only possible if your current frames/joinery are in very good condition. It is often not possible for older homes as their window frames are worn out.

What is Triple Glazing?

Countries with harsher climates often get triple glazed windows installed in their homes as it provides added insulation. With triple glazed windows and glass doors, there are three parallel glasses with spacers filled with still air or gas. New Zealand homes do not require triple glazed windows as it does not require triple glazing as we do not experience extreme harsh climates.

Isolatieglas-EN_YXJfNDUweDUwMV9kXzFfanBnXy9fYXNzZXQvX3B1YmxpYy9SZXN0_8480602f What is Double Glazing Vs Retrofit Double Glazing? - Which is right for your home?

Double Glazing Vs Triple Glazing. Photo credits: https://www.scheuten.com/en/insulation-glass/functionalities/double-insulation-glass

What is Secondary Glazing?

Secondary glazing is when you add another sheet of glass to the existing frame and clear glass. This is a much cheaper way of increasing the insulation of your home as compared to double glazing (IGU unit). Double glazing however is a lot more effective in insulating the house. Adding secondary glazing to an existing window frame and glass is also not always possible because often the old frames do not have space to add another glass, or the integrity of the old frame is compromised.

5 Factors that affect the performance of your Double Glazing

There has been a growing trend of building smart homes in the renovation and construction industry. More people want to use energy efficient materials for their homes with low carbon emissions. This trend towards smart homes has also revolutionised and changed the way double glazed windows are manufactured.

There are 4 main factors that will affect the performance of your double glazed windows and doors. Some homes need more insulation than others and might require glazing that has a higher R rating. We will discuss R ratings further down the article.

1. Spacers

Spacers are strips of plastic, metal, or foam between the two parallel glasses in a double glazed window or door. They support and seal air or gas that is injected between the 2 panes of glass. They are fixed between the glass panes with sealing materials to help create an airtight cavity.

The transfer of heat energy between your window frames, two panes of glass, the spacer at the sealed edge of your double glazed window. If there is less heat transfer between the outside and inside of your window, then this means that there is less heat loss through the sealed unit.

An ideal spacer should have the following:

• Tight seal that would prevent still air or gas from the cavity between the two glass panes.
• Repeal moisture from the seal
• Having a stable and strong space between the two glass panes
• Well made so the temperature buffer is good enough to prevent the transfer of cold and hot air from one pane of glass to the other
• Can withstand expansion and contraction caused by heat

Sealant

The function of the seal is to reduce water vapour and gas permeability from the edge of the panes of glass. Sometimes when the sealant is not applied properly it can lead to condensation between the panes of glass. This will also reduce the effectiveness of the double glazed windows in maintaining a desired overall temperature of within your home.

Over time however, it is common that there will be gas leakage from the double glazed windows. A great way to prevent that is adding a secondary sealant. Synthetic rubbers are often used as a primary sealant and their function should mainly be to keep permeability low. The effectiveness of the primary sealant will reduce over time due to external temperatures, how well they were initially installed and the quality of your windowpanes. Synthetic rubbers are usually used as a primary sealant. As they do deteriorate overtime, a secondary sealant such as silicon, polyurethane or others are also used to prolong the effectiveness of your double glazed windows and doors.
Keeping Moisture out

A good sealant and correct installation are key to creating a double glazing that will ensure that water vapour does not end up being trapped between the panes. Hence it is important to carefully select the manufacturer for your double glazing. They need to have a good quality assurance process as well as they need to take correct measure to avoid this. Some manufacturers will use descants which basically absorb any moisture around them.
Strong and Stable Structure

A spacer needs to hold the two panes of glass together along with the air/gas within the cavity. They provide structural integrity to your double glazed windows while ensuring that the entire structure is sealed against moisture, promoting minimal heat loss and high insulation.
Temperature Buffer

One of the key functions of a spacer is allowing minimal heat transfer from one glaze(pane) to another which allows for well insulated and efficient double glazing. Spacers come in a variety of materials and each material provides for a different level of insulation.

We also recommend using thermal spacers instead of the traditional aluminium as they provide better ‘warm edge’ or low heat loss than aluminium. However not house might need a thermal spacer as they might just need standard insulation that aluminium provides.

Expansion and Contraction

The material of your spacer will determine whether it easily contracts or expands during different seasons. Rigid metals do not easily expand or contract. Some metals such as aluminium are more flexible than other metals and can be used for Auckland homes. Stainless steel can also be used as a spacer, but it provides 1/10^th of thermal insulation as compared to aluminium.

Aluminium however can be susceptible to condensation and more manufacturers are using 100% polymer foam as spacers.

Double-glazing-pic-1 What is Double Glazing Vs Retrofit Double Glazing? - Which is right for your home?

An Insulated Glass unit with 2 panes of glass with a Spacer in the middle. Photo credit by https://build.com.au/what-are-double-glazed-windows

2.Type of Glass panes your glazing you use

Glass is another very vital component in a double glazed window. You can use clear glass for your double glazing but there are also many other types of glass available today.

Laminated glass – This is a popular choice for double glazing as well as single glazing. This type of class involves having a plastic or resin layer on top of the two panes of glass.t absorbs UV rays and is great for keeping your home cooler in the summer months. They are also great for restricting noise from outside and works well for homes which are in high traffic areas. They are also very safe because they cannot be easily broken. During impact, the glass is still held together by the resin layer.
Tinted Glass or reflective glass – Like all types of tinted glass, it helps keeping the UV light out. It also keeps the home cooler in summer by restricting light as well as heat out.
Tough Glass – This type of glass is much tougher against impact which makes it a safe option for ground floor windows and doors. It also shatters into small pieces when broken and does not leave big chunks of glass.
Low E-glass – This type of glass allows light as well as heat inside the house, but it also prevents the heat from escaping the house.

3. Air Vs Gas (Argon) you use for the insulated cavity

Before we discuss the benefits of Air Vs Gas for your double glazing, it is good to understand what U value is. U value is the measure of insulating capacity of a window. It refers to thermal conductivity of the loss of heat from a room. If the thermal conductivity or U value of a window is low, then that means that they will keep your room warmer as the windows are preventing the heat to leave your room. They also keep your home cooler in summer as they prevent heat from the outside entering your home. Windows with a low U value make for very good insulators. The heat in this case does not mean sunlight as the windows do allow sunlight to come into your home.

Double glazed windows have either air or gas between the two panes of glass. When you hear the term ‘air filled’ double glazing then it merely means that there is normal air filled within the glazing. Argon is usually used in gas filled double glazing due to its low thermal conductivity and hence prevent heat loss substantially as compared to air.

Double glazing filled with Argon provide a much higher level of insulation as compared to air. Argon is also a non-reactive, inert gas which means that your windows will stay effective for a longer amount of time. Air on the other hand has oxygen which is a reactive gas and can cause if you have aluminium spacers which will reduce their efficiency sooner.

Argon double glazing however is more expensive as compared to air filled double glazing but will prove to be a better investment in the long run for your home.

4. Frames of your Windows

Aluminium and Timber are the two most common window frames in New Zealand. The interaction of the frame with the double glazing is an important part of how efficient your windows will be as insulators. Aluminium is a popular choice for New Zealand homes as it is strong and very easy to maintain material but as a metal it is a good conductor of heat which means that more heat is lost through them. You can however rectify this situation by installing thermally broken alluminium.

Timber is another popular choice in New Zealand with relatively less heat conductivity as compared to Aluminium frames.

5. Correct Installation

Correct manufacturing and installation of double glazing is vital if you want to maintain the integrity of your home. Choosing a trusted manufacturer will make all the difference to the effectiveness of your double glazing. The manufacturer should have good skillset and knowledge about different materials for glazing and your needs so they can recommend the best type of glazing for your home.

Choosing the right double glazing is a balancing act of the type of frame, spacer, sealant, choice between air vs gas, the frame of the window as well as the type of glass. If you are living in a very noise surrounding which experiences extreme climates, then you might want to consider using a low e glass filled with Argon. Fitting a manufactured double glazing might seem like a simple task but we recommend clients not to do it as a DIY project. Get your double glazing fitted by a professional to ensure that it is done correctly.

Cost Calculator for Double Glazing Windows

Try it here: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/double-glazing-cost-calculator-nz/

R Rating for Double Glazing – What type of double glazing is right for you?

Consider the climate of your city before choosing your glazing

Finding the right combination of materials to form the most effective double glazing for your home can sometimes feel like a balancing act.

The aim should be to choose a glazing combination that is the most effective for your climate to provide a healthy and insulated home. As discussed above, some combinations of glazing are only needed for extreme climates where it is too cold or hot. An example is triple glazed windows with low e glass and Argon filled cavity. This however is not needed for Auckland climate as we do not experience such extremes in weather.

Also consider where your home is situated in Auckland. Is it near a sea? Is your home north facing or is it south facing? Do some rooms get more sunlight that than others? These questions are important, and you must consult with your manufacturers to achieve the most optimum overall temperature for your home based on the above factors.

R-values

R-values are a measure of efficiency of insulating materials. Higher R-value of insulating materials basically means that there will be lesser heat loss from said materials. The table below shows the R-values of glazing and how the combination of different frames, glass and gas/air contribute to this value.

Note: We have not included R-values of secondary glazing as we do not recommend our clients to use that as further insulating windows and glass doors. While they are a cheaper option compared to getting IGU or double glazing and are often ineffective.

Glazing	Description	R-value
Single glazing	Aluminium frame + Clear glass	0.26
Single glazing	Timber frame + Clear glass	0.19
Double glazing (IGU)	Thermally broken Aluminium frame + Clear double glazing + Air filled cavity	0.31
Double glazing (IGU)	Timber frame + Clear double glazing + Air filled cavity	0.36
Double glazing (IGU)	Thermally broken Aluminium frame + Low e glass panes + Argon gas in the cavity	0.43
Double glazing (IGU)	Timber frame + Low e glass panes + Argon gas in the cavity	0.53

As seen above, the R-value differs based on the combination of materials you choose for your glazing. Another way to increase insulation and decrease heat loss is by installing thermal drapes. Good quality heavy drapes or thermal drapes can add up to 0.26 R-value. This only holds true if these are drawn and covering your windows. In order for these drapes to be effective, you have to also ensure that they are touching the ground and have pelmets on the top.

Pros and Cons of Double glazing

Installing double glazing for exiting homes is an expensive undertaking which means that you should be fully aware of their advantages as well as disadvantages.

Pros of using double glazing

Increase in Security: Double glazing provides a higher level of security to your home as they are much stronger as compared to single glazed windows. It would be much harder for burglars to break a double glazed window. You can also increase the security of your double glazing by laminating the glass panes.
Reduce Noise: Double glazing can significantly reduce noise levels and are good for homes in high traffic areas. They can reduce neighbourhood and traffic sounds by up to 35 decibels. If you live in a very noisy area, then you can even think about installing triple glazing. Single glazing tends to rattle on windy days, but double glazing windows eliminate this issue due to their more solid foundation.
Prevent Condensation and Insulation: The biggest advantage of double glazing is that it prevents condensation which in turn protects your home from mould and damage. Still air or Argon gas trapped between the two panes of glass also provides insulation to your home which promotes a healthy and comfortable temperature.
Reduced Bills: The insulating gap between the two panes of your double glazing is filled with either still air or Argon gas and it hence prevents heat loss in winter, keeping your home warm. In summer it prevents heat from entering your home and keeps your home cooler. Therefore, it significantly reduces the need for heating and cooling systems for your home. This will reduce your electricity bill and is also good for the environment.

Cons of Double Glazing

High Initial Cost: Installing double glazing in existing homes can prove to be very costly. It is a good long term investment, but the initial cost is high. When you install single glazed windows, you are only paying for one sheet of glass. With Double glazing, you are paying for two panes of glass, the insulating air, sealant as well as new frames (in most cases). Sometimes you can install your Insulated glass unit (IGU) within the existing frames but in most cases, this is not possible as the old frames do not have the space to accommodate a IGU or are damaged.
Aesthetics: Double glazing might look too modern for heritage homes because they look too ‘modern’. This is especially true for bungalows and villas found in Epsom, Parnell, and Remuera.
Hard to Repair: Double glazed windows and doors are not easily damaged due to their sturdy structure. They can however, have issues with the air/gas gap if not manufactured well. This is when there is a leak in the Insulated glass unit which means that their effectiveness in terms of insulation can reduce. If this happens then the only way to fix this is to replace the entire window which can be costly.

How much does it cost to Install Double Glazing Windows in Auckland?

There are a few factors that can affect the cost of double glazing in New Zealand. As discussed above, double glazing is made of a diverse set of materials and the combination you choose will affect the overall cost. For example:

Double glazing with Argon has is more expensive compared to Still Air. Having still air however is less effective compared to an Argon gas filled cavity.
Low-e glass panes are more expensive that clear glass or laminated glass
Timber frames are more expensive that Aluminium frames
The type of sealant you choose will also affect the price of your double glazing

Costs for Double Glazing (with new frames) Vs Retrofitting Vs Secondary Glazing NZ

Term glossary

Double Glazing with new frames: This consists of creating an Insulated glass unit of two panes of glass with a gap between them. This gap is filled with Still Air or Argon has for insulation and also has a sealant to keep the glasses in place. As the name suggests, this glass unit is manufactured in the factory along with new window frames to fit together.

Retrofitting double glazing: Retrofitting involves manufacturing an Insulated glass unit in the factory and installing this into the current frame of your window. No new frames are manufactured or installed.

Secondary Glazing: This involves installing a second parallel pane of glass to your existing frame and glass of your window. This is not an Insulated glass unit as it does not have an insulated cavity between the panes. It does not have any gas or still air in the cavity.

How much does double glazing cost?

Double Glazing is the most expensive as compared to retrofitting or installing secondary glazing. This involves replacing your current windows with a IGU and new frames. If your priority is to increase the insulation of your home, then this is the best option to go with as it is the most effective. On an average it will cost around $35,000 to double glaze a 100m2 home in Auckland. If you choose Low-e glass panes along with Argon gas in the cavity then the price for double glazing will go up.

Tips to reduce the cost of double glazing for your home

Different combinations of your IGU (window-panes, sealant, gas or still air and frame) will yield different R values. Some combinations will be more effective in insulating your home but not all homes need a high level of insulation. For example, if your home does not need high insulation then it is a waste to install low-e glass panes or Argon gas in the cavity which is a more expensive combination.

Reduce costs by:

Choose clear glass or laminated glass instead of a low-e glass for your panes
Opt for still Air instead of Argon gas for your insulated cavity between your glass panes
Choose Aluminium as your window frame

How much does it cost to Retrofit your double glazing?

Retrofitting double glazing costs, a lot lesser than getting entirely new double glazing with new frames. You can expect to pay about $15,000 to $18,000 for a 100m2 home. An insulated glass unit and drainage system is installed in your current window frames. While this is a cheaper option, it is not possible to install the insulated glass unit in your current frames for most homes in Auckland.

It is only possible for new homes where the window frames are in great condition. Older home in Auckland do not have frames that are in good condition as they are often damaged or skewed. If you have a newly built home with single glazing, then opt for retrofitting your double glazing as it is a more cost effective option with similar insulation levels as new double glazing with new frames.

How much does it cost to install Secondary Glazing?

Secondary glazing is the cheapest option compared to double glazing and retrofitting. This is because there is no Insulated glass unit involved in secondary glazing.

Secondary glazing does not replace your single glazing with a IGU, but it means that you are attaching a second pane of glass on the inside of your current glazing and frame. Secondary glazing however does not improve the insulation of your home and it also does not prevent condensation.

Retrofitting or New Double Glazing – What is right for your home?

The main factor that determines whether you can get your retrofit double glazing or get new windows with double glazing (new frames) is the condition of your joinery. If the condition of your joinery is good, then you will be able to retrofit double glazing. In a lot of cases, the joinery has either been damaged or is not viable to be retrofitted.

Aluminium Joinery (frames)

Durable and good quality of Aluminium joinery was seen in New Zealand houses only around the 1980s. The quality of Aluminium joinery used in houses before the 80s was of an inferior quality with no scope of being retrofitted now.

All windows need maintenance over time to ensure that they do not get damaged due to moisture or wear and tear. A professional window glazing company will be able to assess the joinery of your windows to see whether they can be retrofitted.

Before you get a professional, you can also check for signs of damage to your Aluminium joinery. If the joints of your frame are coming off or have issues, then this is the first sign that your joinery is at the end of its life. This often happens due to moisture seeping in and this can in turn damage your walls.

When comes to maintenance, it is good to check the seals of your frames and change them periodically to prolong the life of your joinery.

Timber Joinery

Just like Aluminium joinery, Timber frames also need to be maintained well to be retrofitted. Bungalows and Villas in New Zealand built before the 1950s are fitted with a more durable form of Timber as compared to the homes built after the 1960s. Timber joinery which was installed in homes after the 1960s is made of a softer wood which means that they are not as durable and are susceptible to moisture.

You will not be able to retrofit double glazing in windows that have water damage or very worn out. Some of the signs of moisture damage is mould and wood that has started to rot.

The Verdict

The answer to this is simple. Get the condition of your window frames checked by a professional. If your frames/joinery are in good condition, then you should retrofit your double glazing. This will be more cost effective that brand new windows with double glazing while giving you similar insulation.

If your frames/joinery are worn out, old, have water damage, or are compromised in any way then investing in brand new windows with double glazing would be a wiser option.

Cost Calculator for Double Glazing Windows

Try it here: https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/double-glazing-cost-calculator-nz/

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Double glazing?

Double glazing involves removing your old window and frame. A new frame for the window is manufactured which is fitted with an Insulated glass unit. An Insulated glass unit which consists of 2 panes of glazing or glass that are parallel to eachother with a gap between them. A spacer is attached between the glass which is bonded with the the panes of glass with a sealant. This keeps the two glasses in place and provides a stable structure. This cavity between the two parallel panes of glass is filled with either Still Air or Argon gas.

What is Retrofitting Double Glazing?

Retrofitting double glazing involves installing a Insulated glass unit into your existing joinery or frame. An insulated glass unit has two parallel panes of glass with a gap in the middle. This gap has a spacer which is bonded to the panes with a sealant. This cavity is then filled with Still Air or Argon gas.

How much does it cost to double glaze my house?

Double glazing an average 100m2 home in Auckland will cost around $35,000. The cost will vary depending on the glass you choose, whether you get Still Air filled cavity or an Argon gas filled cavity. The material of the joinery/frame you choose will also affect the price.

How much does it cost to retrofit double glazing?

Retrofitting double glazing is cheaper compared to double glazing as you are not making brand new window frames. The cost to retrofit am average 100m2 home in NZ will start from about $18,000. Retrofitting double glazing is not always possible for most homes as your current joinery needs to be in near perfect condition to retrofit double glazing.

Further Resources for your house renovation

Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

Need more information?

Take advantage of our FREE Complete Home Renovation Guide (48 pages), whether you’re already renovating or in the process of deciding to renovate, it’s not an easy process, this guide which includes a free 100+ point check list – will help you avoid costly mistakes.

Download Free Renovation Guide (PDF)

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Superior Renovations is quickly becoming one of the most recommended Kitchen Renovation & Bathroom Renovation company in Auckland and it all comes down to our friendly approach, straightforward pricing, and transparency. When your Auckland home needs renovation/ remodeling services, Superior Renovation is the team you can count on for high-quality workmanship, efficient progress, and cost-effective solutions.

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

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House Renovation

Container Homes Vs Regular Granny Flats in Auckland

September 7, 20200

What is the difference between container homes and regular sleepouts/granny flats?

Container Homes

There has been a growing demand for container homes in recent years. They can be made into granny flats, or a fully functioning home by joining several containers together.

They look trendy and have become somewhat of an architectural gem. So, what exactly are container homes? Container homes are just what they sound like. They are large containers which are used to transport goods. With almost 1.4 million ‘out of service’ container homes around the globe, they have become a novelty that can now be converted into homes.

Container homes must be bought and then either shipped directly to your site or it can be built off-site. Internal timber frames are then erected, the structure insulated and then renovated to make it a liveable space. The structure of container homes is sturdy, but the roof is often an issue. This means that a new roof must be put on the container home before it can be used as a living space.

Regular Sleepouts and Granny Flats

Regular sleepouts and stand-alone granny flats are built from normal building materials. They can either be extended out from your existing home structure or can be built as a minor stand-alone dwelling on your property.

The current economic climate has seen a rise in demand for granny flats, sleepouts and minor dwellings on an existing property. This can be either your need for extra space or as a source of additional income. They can be rented out and can yield between $300 – $600 per week in Auckland.

In this article we will discuss:

This article aims to draw a comparison between container homes and Regular minor dwellings/granny flats for the following factors:

The difference in the Consent process
Ease of construction and Time taken for construction
Average costs in Auckland for container homes and Regular minor dwellings
Their relevance in Urban Auckland and your return on Investment

Pros and Cons of Container homes Vs Regular Sleepouts and Granny flats in Auckland

1. Consent Process

What is the consent Process for Container homes?

Container homes can act as a sleepout or a standalone dwelling for properties. However, there is always a consent process when you want to build a container home in New Zealand.

Container homes are a relatively new concept in New Zealand which basically means that the process of consent can vary.

“That’s one thing you find straight away”, said Burne the co-founder of Architecture and Interiors Ltd. “Many, many, shipping container homes don’t have permits or consents, and they probably wouldn’t get them because they don’t meet the building code”. (2019, February 1^st) (Stuff)

This means that a lot of the ‘cheaper’ container homes that you see in New Zealand are not approved by the council. The process or the time taken to approve a consent for a container home in New Zealand is not consistent and the rules are ever-changing. This can prove to be challenging when building container homes as a source of an additional income in Auckland.

This however does not mean that you cannot build a container home in Auckland. We recommend you hire a professional company and not do a DIY job. Yes, the consent process might feel like a grey area, but it is possible.

Regular minor dwelling – Granny Flats and sleepouts

Regular minor dwellings like standalone granny flats or attached sleepouts have been built in Auckland properties for years. This means that the consent process for such dwellings is much easier and straightforward as compared to container homes.

The recent Building Act of August 2020 has made building minor dwellings even easier.

‘Single-storey detached buildings include sleepouts, sheds, greenhouses and other similar structures can be built without a building consent. Kitchen and bathroom facilities are not included in the exemption. Any plumbing work to a new or current building still requires a building consent, and any electrical work will still have to be carried out by a registered electrician’.

The act further explains that the dwelling must be 30 square metres or less to be except from consents. This means that you can easily make a sleepout without even requiring any sort of consent work for your property. This would save you time and money.

However, if you are investing in building a sleepout then we would recommend you include a bathroom and kitchen within the sleepout. This will require consent but it is an easy and straight forward process.

You could rent the sleepout and generate an additional source of income. A newly built 1 bedroom or even 2-bedroom minor dwelling on your property complete with Kitchen and bathroom can yield between $400 – $600 a week in Auckland.

The consent process for all the plumbing and electric work for the kitchen and bathroom is simple. If you are renovating with a professional renovation company then they will handle the entire consent process along with the build. They will have an architect on board who will draw up the plans, get the documents ready and submit it to the council for approval.

Verdict

The consent process for container homes in NZ is ever evolving which means that the process is more complicated as compared to building a regular minor dwelling on your property. The consent process for minor dwelling has been made easier with the recent Building Act in NZ which allows you an exception for consents for dwellings up to 30m2. If you do want to add a kitchen and bathroom (which will require consent), the process is still easier compared to container homes.

2. Ease of Construction and Time taken for Built

Shipping Container homes NZ

Container homes have become a popular choice recently due to its durability, architectural appeal, and ease of transport. ‘Ease of transport’ means that they can be bought from a shipping yard and delivered directly to your home or to the factory. Once built and renovated, they cannot however be transported to several sites through the year.

Melissa Burne from Architecture and Interiors says “There are plenty of myths out there about container homes. People think they are classed as portable. They’re not” (2019, February 1^st) (Stuff)

Renovating a container home

Once the consent process is completed, you can begin renovating your container home. Container homes do require a substantial amount of renovation to make them fit for habitation. The first thing is erecting a timber frame within the container for the electric wiring and plumbing to be installed. This is also where the insulation will be put into the frame before the walls are erected.

Once the walls are put in, you can start putting heating systems, ventilating systems, and flooring. Most containers have a weak roof which is understandable due to them being stacked on top of each other. Hence you will almost always have to construct a roof on top of your container home if you want it to last longer. Re-cladding the exterior is also recommended to further protect your container home from the natural elements.

Melissa Burne says that it took them 250 hours in labour and 180 hours in project management to renovate a 1 bedroom container home. (2019, February 1^st) (Stuff)

Container-home-1024x577 Container Homes Vs Regular Granny Flats in Auckland

Picture Courtesy of Stuff (2019, 13 Feb) https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/110555556/open-homes-for-tiny-container-house-with-auction-proceeds-going-to-charity

Regular minor dwellings like Granny Flats and Sleepouts

Standalone dwelling or detached

Standalone dwellings can be constructed on a property depending on whether the property is zoned for such a construction. The time taken to build and renovate a stand-alone granny flat from scratch can be anywhere between 3 to 5 months after consent has been approved. Listed below are the factors that determine the time taken to complete a project.

Excavation of site: When building a dwelling, the ground will have to be excavated to reach the pipes underneath the dwelling. If there is a lot of stones underneath your land, then they will also have to be removed via a more specialised machine.
Pipes and drainage below the land: The pipes underneath your land will have to be checked to see if they are in working order. If they are not, then they will have to be replaced.
The actual built: This will depend on your renovation company and the hours they are going to spend on your site building your dwelling.

Extending your house to make a Granny flat/Sleepout

Extending your house to make a granny flat or sleep out will take a longer time than building a standalone dwelling on the property. This is because there are many things that need to be considered before a house can be extended.

The extension must be done according to the structure of your existing house which can give rise to several complexities. An extension project of your home will take between 4 to 7 months after you have received your consent from the council.

Verdict

Taking all the factors into account, container homes take lesser time to build and renovate when compared to extending your current house.

However, the time taken to get a consent, build and renovate a container home would take around the same time as making a stand alone dwelling on your property. This is because the consent process of container homes would take longer than a stand alone dwelling.

If you do have a garage that you do not use then converting that into a granny flat is a relatively easier, shorter, and less complicated way of building another dwelling on your property.

Converting your garage into a granny flat

3. Cost

How much do container homes cost?

Contrary to popular belief container homes are not a cheap housing solution. Low priced container homes are only possible if you are not building in accordance to the code of compliance. We also do not recommend a DIY project as there are some technical complexities involved when renovating a container home which are better left to the professionals.

Melissa Burne a co-founder of Architecture and Interiors recently built and renovated a 1-bedroom container home in Hawkes Bay for the charity ‘Look good feel good’. “People think they can convert one for $60,000 – they won’t if they do it properly and with the necessary consents”. (2019, February 1^st) (Stuff.

They bought a container for $1000 and the final renovation costs came to $127,000 including consents, subcontractors, labour, material, and project management. The container home boasted 1 bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a laundry.

Asked if she would recommend taking on a container house project, Burne said “There is some sense to them, but for the cost of doing it properly you would be much better spending a bit more and getting a modest timber-framed house. It would give you more flexibility with better proportions. The good thing about a container is that you could pick it up and remove it if you ever wanted to”. (2019, February 1^st) (Stuff)

Renovating a container house is just like renovating a normal home. You will require professionals like electricians, insulators, builders, plumbers, painters, and other skilled professionals.

Regular dwellings – semi-attached and detached

As discussed above, standalone dwellings or extensions to include a sleepout to require substantial amount of work. Even if you are merely building a 30m2 dwelling which would not require consent, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

If you are just building a 30m2 dwelling without a kitchen or a bathroom then it can be very cost effective as compared to container homes. You will not need consent to build the structure and will only have to employ skilled electricians to build in accordance to the code of compliance.

If you are however building a granny flat with a bathroom and kitchen then there will be consent work involved. The cost of building a standalone timber framed dwelling will be anywhere between 150K to 180K. This would include costs for consent, excavation, building materials, all skilled professionals, and a project manager to over see the project.

Verdict

One of the biggest myths about container homes in NZ is that they are cheap. They are only cheap if treated as a DIY project and built without consent. Roughly a 1-bedroom 40 feet container house will start from about 120K. Materials like the type of flooring, kitchen fixtures etc will determine how high the cost will go to.

A minor dwelling like a granny flat with kitchen and bathroom will cost you higher than a container home by about 15k to 20K. However, if you are just looking at making a sleepout of up to 30m2 without plumbing then it would be considerably lower than a container home. This is because you would not require any consent owing to the new Building Act released in August 2020.

4. Urban Auckland Lifestyle and your return on Investment

Container homes in Auckland

Container homes are a unique form of architecture which has a polarising effect on most people. A lot of people find the industrial look of container homes trendy and unique. Others find it an eye sore. The aesthetics of a container home can be a very personal choice for people.

So how do container homes fit into the Urban Auckland lifestyle? A standard container home has the size of 40ft by 7ft. Once the insulation and internal walls are put in, the interior of a container home can be quite narrow. This however can be rectified by adding other containers on the side and cutting one of the sides.

Auckland homes usually do not have that kind of land space to put a huge container home on their property. You can put the container and make it a sleepout to make it less bulky structure. Another disadvantage of putting a container home on your property in Auckland will mean that there will is no continuity in structure or the overall look of your home.

Return on investment for container homes

You can put a container home on your property to generate an extra source of income. You could rent a 1-bedroom container home for up $400 per week or more.

Having a container house in your property however will not add value to your property. You might have a harder time selling your current home in the future with a container home on your land. Buyers might not find a container home to their taste which means that you will have to remove it from the property. It also does not contribute to the over-all perceived value of your current home structure.

Regular dwellings – semi attached and detached

You can build Semi attached and detached dwellings exactly to your specification. They have that advantage over a container home sleepout in terms of aesthetics and continuity. You can build the dwelling with the same or similar materials as your home to ensure continuity.

The return on investment for regular granny flats and sleepouts

The return on investment on an additional dwelling on your property is huge. Even if you are just making a sleepout or granny flat without a kitchen and toilet, it will still add more value to your home than a container home.

If you take the plunge and decide to build one with a kitchen and bathroom then you can rent it anywhere between $400 to $600 a week. Future buyers will also be willing to pay a higher amount for an extra room or a unit on the property.

Verdict

The verdict for this one is simple. Container homes are just not suitable for Auckland homes as a means of additional income. A container home granny flat on your property will not add any value to your home. Container homes can be great if you have a land and just want to build an entire home out of it. That would still work in form of a container granny flat.

Selling a property with a container home on it is also going to be a problem. Container homes are great for more rural areas or towns. They would also be great as trendy cafes or stores in Auckland.

Regular dwellings suit the urban lifestyle of Auckland a whole lot more. They are great as an investment to add value to your home or to yield an additional source of income.

References

The real (compliant) cost of a shipping container home: an architectural designer’s experiment (2019, 1Feb), Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/110306517/the-real-compliant-cost-of-a-shipping-container-home-an-architects-experiment
Open homes for tiny container house, with auction proceeds going to charity (2019, 13Feb), Stuff https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/110555556/open-homes-for-tiny-container-house-with-auction-proceeds-going-to-charity
Cover image, credit to: containersforsale.co.uk

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

What are container home prices NZ wide?

Container homes are not a cheap option as most people believe. A 1 bedroom container home would cost you $120,000 at the minimum. This is if you are building it with proper consent and in accordance to the code of compliance.

Are there many container homes to rent in NZ?

Container homes can be a great source of additional income in NZ if you put it up for rent. You will however not find many container homes to rent in Auckland.

Is container home better or granny flat?

This will depend on where in NZ you live. If you are in Auckland then making a detached or a semi detached granny flat will be better than a container home. This is because a container home will not add any real value for your property and might be an eye sore on your property for future buyers. The lack of abundant space in Auckland homes also makes it a bulky structure for Auckland homes.

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Superior Renovations is quickly becoming one of the most recommended renovation company in Auckland and it all comes down to our friendly approach, straightforward pricing, and transparency. When your Auckland home needs renovation/ remodeling services – Superior Renovation is the team you can count on for high-quality workmanship, efficient progress, and cost-effective solutions.

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

finance-badge1000x1000 Container Homes Vs Regular Granny Flats in Auckland

Have you been putting off getting renovations done?

We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.

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House Renovation

Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

September 1, 20200

Renovating your own house is something that most people would look forward to and why shouldn’t they? The thought of changing your kitchen, bathroom or entire house to give it a complete makeover would get anyone excited.

One of the most important aspect of renovations however is the design process. This article will focus on the design process of a renovation. It will give you some vital interior design ideas that are important for a successful renovation.

The design phase is where all the excitement lies. This phase however can also be a complicated process. it is often difficult to put your ideas and vision into paper. To add to this complication, different members of your family would have different ideas on what they want from your home renovation. There is often a lot of back and forth with your family members which can make it all seem very frustrating. So what should you do?

Meet Orly from Place2Be

As a designer, my highest purpose is to create for my clients a tailor-made design that contains the ideal floor plan, colour scheme, material combination and concept, while considering their goals, style and budget and make sure they are happy with the outcome.

I believe (and it is also scientifically approved) that the environment around us affects our mood, productivity, and energy levels. With my efficient design process, I can help you to create a space where you would feel comfortable, organised and at peace.

Orly Baliti – Interior Designer

Website: https://www.place2be.design/ | Email: orly@place2be.design

Orly specialises in space planning and concept/color consultation which is exactly the kind of person who renovators need in order to get the best outcome from a renovation.

We decided to have a sit down with Orly Baliti who has been an interior designer for over 11 years to discuss various factors that come into play when clients are planning a renovation. She has worked with architects, engineers and builders designing and managing various projects in the commercial and residential sectors.

Here is what we discussed with Orly:

Importance of Planning for renovations and the design phase
How the correct design can add value to your renovation
5 crucial steps in space planning to complement your renovation as told by Orly
Designer Home renovation projects by Superior Renovations in Auckland

Importance of space planning in your design process

When asked what the most important step for success was, Orly had no hesitations saying that it was planning. It was something which resonated with us as that is exactly what we tell our clients when they renovate with us. Your planning should include the following:

Budget planning
Your top priorities for renovating
What outcome you want from your renovation
Research
Timeframes
And the often forgotten one which is space planning.

What is space planning?

If you are wondering what exactly space planning is? Orly explains that space planning is an important aspect of the interior design process. Space planning is an in-depth analysis of how physical space is used in structures. It considers the purpose of spaces and who will use them. Space planning is a process that takes several steps, and its an important component that helps to ensure efficient use of floor space without wasting it. This also shows how you would move within the space. The plan is finally completed by putting details like textures, colours and even furniture in their places to show the overall look and feel of the place.

What can go wrong if space planning is not done well?

Orly explains that there are several things that can go wrong if you do not plan your space properly. If you do not plan your space well then it could lead to several problems once your renovation is completed. Space planning is a part of interior design that goes hand in had with renovations.

You might want a L shaped kitchen with a huge island but did you account for the dining table next to it? Perhaps that L shaped kitchen with an island has left no space for a decent sized dining table. Now you can only buy a 4 seater dining table when in fact you have a 6 person household. Having the right type of kitchen design especially in an open planned kitchen is important. For more kitchen and bathroom design ideas look at our kitchen gallery and bathroom gallery of renovated kitchens/bathrooms in Auckland.

Orly has shortlisted Top 5 things that she has seen with poor space planning.

Bad planning that leads to a space where you cannot fit your furniture
Non functional kitchen layout which leaves little working space
Non functional power points and lighting positions.
Lack of storage
Awkward material and colour combinations

DSC06659-1000 Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

DSC06663-1000 Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

DSC06664-1000 Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

DSC06665-1000 Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

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DSC06656-1000 Importance of Space Planning in Home Renovation/ Interior Design

Storage and Disposable solutions for our client’s kitchen renovation in Papatoetoe

How interior designers are an integral part of a renovation process

An interior designer can really take your renovation to the next level if you make her an integral part of your renovation process.

Orly explains that a lot of her clients renovate to add value to their property, whether it’s for them to enjoy it, rent it or sell in future. We found this to be very true for our clients as well because most of them looked at renovations of a way to add some sort of value to their home. In our experience renovations that add the most value to any home were:

Naturally, you are looking to increase your return on investment and, the last thing you want is to be disappointed by the outcome. You also need to consider that during the renovation, there are lots of decisions to be made and lots of options available.

For example; choosing the right style, colours and materials, planing the lighting, create a better layout to maximise the space, add storage, etc. Confirming these details at the beginning of the renovation is essential to ensure there are no delays when it comes to finishing your home. Orly mentions that she often helps clients choose the materials for their renovation (like kitchen cabinets, tiles and wall paint) to help them realise their overall vision of their renovation.

Full house renovation completed in West Harbour, Auckland

5 Simple steps of space planning as told by Orly

So now that you know that space planning is important for a successful renovation you must be wondering where you should start. Orly says that the most important thing is not to get overwhelmed. Interior designers are there for a reason. It is their responsibility to narrow down the choices for you and make your design process as seamless as possible. She has outlined her 5 Step process to successfully plan a space for her clients.

Step 1: Explore the space and understand your purpose for renovation

Your first step should be have a walk around your space and ask yourself what the use of the space would be? What is the purpose for this renovation and what do you want to achieve? Is there anything you can do without? what would you like to change? Do you have a particular vision or is it a mix of things?

Once you get the answers to these questions, you will be able to prioritise the work that needs to be done, focus on the most critical issues and update your budget accordingly.

Step 2: Defining Zones and Natural Pathways

Take your time to do proper space planning and confirm it meets your needs and lifestyle. Try to define zones depending on their primary use.

If you are after a modern open floor plan where the kitchen, dining room and living room are all connected, it’s necessary to define each area. One way of doing it is adding an island to mark the heart of the kitchen. Just don’t forget to double-check if you have enough space to sit conveniently around it and that it doesn’t block your natural pathways.

You can also use furniture like the back of a sofa or a stylish bookshelf to create boundaries. Alternately you can even set a unique flooring feature to define a space like the living room. Once the spaces and your requirements are clear, you can sketch out the area. It would be useful to do it in scale, so you will be able to visualise how it all works together and achieve a functional layout. This will make shopping for furniture in the future easier.

Step 3: Choosing Colours and Textures

After you finished planning your space, it is time to choose colours and materials. It would be easier to start with tones and textures of design elements such as flooring, tiles, cabinetry, benchtop and splashback. It would be good to consult an interior designer for this process. You can select the wall paint colour last to finish up the look and create a complementing background

Step 4: Create a Mood Board

Collect samples from showroom and suppliers. Gather these materials and finishes to create a mood board. Explore, take your time to compare, see how they all work together. Remember that colours affects our mood and the atmosphere in the room. So don’t try to save time here as this process can definitely save you from making unnecessary mistakes in the future.

Step 5: Lay the actual space in your room with Samples

Once you’ve chosen your favourite colour tones, buy small pots of the paint to make a larger model that you can place around the room. Play around with lightings as things can look very different under different lighting. Also get some samples of textures to put around the room to see how they would look in different spaces.

Full house renovation completed in Epsom, Auckland

So do you need an interior designer for your renovation?

Your renovation company will have a designer on board to design the basic layout. However, if the process of pre-planning and designing your aesthetics sounds challenging to you then you should consult an interior designer. Consider working with an experienced interior designer alongside the builder at the very beginning of the project.

This can save a lot of frustration in the future. An interior designer will help you focus on functionality. The interior designer will also help create best layout and room flow for your needs. This will include furniture placement, kitchen and bathroom design, lighting design and colour consulting.

There’s no need to stress and overwhelmed about the colour, materials and choices in finishes. A skilled Interior designer will recommend and present a cohesive plan of how all the different elements work together. An interior designer and builder working together could yield a remarkable and highly functional space.

Designer home renovation projects by Superior Renovations

1. Urban Luxury home Renovation in Parnell

Our client had a centrally located quaint townhouse in Parnell. While the location was great, it lacked modern conveniences in the kitchen and living space. It was tiny, not functional and aesthetically unappealing. This home was fully renovated with concrete designer floors, changing the location of the kitchen to maximise functionality, adding a luxury modern feel to the bathrooms, building a false wall to install a fire place. See full case study here.

Full Town house renovation in Parnell by Superior Renovations

2. Cottage Style Kitchen Renovation

This was a special kitchen as it was about incorporating natural elements into the kitchen to reflect our client’s country surroundings. The kitchen was dated and was transformed into a chic country style kitchen complete with treated real wood as bench-tops, butler’s sink, floating shelves and cabinets that were wrapped in Dezignatek Thermoform with a ‘Ronda’ pattern to give them cabinets a vintage look see more

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Full kitchen renovation in Mangere Bridge, Auckland

3. Entertainer’s dream Kitchen and Lounge Renovation

Guru and Neeta from Massey had a closed off kitchen which did not let them enjoy an open plan living. They wanted to renovate to introduce a feel of luxury but also make it an open space which could double as an entertaining space. We opened up the space for them and also extended the kitchen counter towards the lounge to act like a bar. The black and white see more

Kitchen, Lounge and Dining room renovation in Massey

4. Spanish Style Kitchen and Bathroom Renovation

Mary Stuart’s renovation was as much as a credit to her as it was to our designers and renovators. She had a clear vision tearing of converting an old closed off kitchen into an open and spacious Spanish style rustic kitchen. Her inspiration came from the arched hallways when she first bought her home. She was not afraid of bold colours and wanted to convert her bathroom and kitchen into a rustic villa reminiscent of Spain right her in Auckland see more

Bathroom, Kitchen and Laundry renovation in Stanmore Bay

Further Resources for your house interior design

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

What does an interior designer do?

An interior designer is there to help simplify the process of building or renovating, they do this by working within a client’s brief and budget to create and implement schemes to fit the client’s taste and lifestyle whilst working with the renovation company simultaneously.

When should I hire one?

The earlier into your project the better, If your project is large enough to require plans and drawings by an architect or architectural designer, it can be very useful to have an interior designer look these over, to optimise space planning and interior layout.

Who is Orly Baliti?

Orly is an experienced interior designer, Orly specialises in space planning and concept/color consultation which is exactly the kind of person who renovators need in order to get the best outcome from a renovation.

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

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House Renovation

Joanne & Steve Hilson – House Renovated While Being on Holiday

August 21, 20200

Joanne & Steve Hilson

Video testimonial by Joanne & Steve Hilson for their House Renovation completed by Superior Renovations ® located in Greenlane, Auckland.

“Knowing that we weren’t there while it was being done as well was the best part, we were on the beach, and the renovation will be done”

“Working with Kevin and the team was easy because we weren’t having to ring up different suppliers ourselves, it was like one team does this, another team does that – and everything was done for us under one roof. Kevin had a contact for everything, and the experience was simple. You hear a lot of horror stories about doing renovations and I was like, well that was very easy”

The renovation included:

Kitchen Renovation
Removal of wall to become an open plan
Bathroom Renovation
Toilet Renovation
Addition of a New Toilet
New Laundry
New Custom Storage Area
Consent Process

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

House Renovation

Family Homes Vs Investment Properties – Renovation Guide for 2021

August 13, 20200

Are you looking at adding comfort and convenience to your home? Or renovating for an investment property?

Intention or motive is a key factor when planning your home renovation. It will determine your budget, the type of suppliers, raw materials, design and time-frame of your renovation. When you are renovating with the intention of renting it out or selling then your budget can be more limited as you do not have to make the house luxurious.

As long as it is functional and aesthetically pleasing with everything working well then you can look at getting more medium range supplies. However, if you are going to be living in the house then you might want to splurge more on design and luxury along with making it more functional.

In this article we will discuss the following:

We will discuss there broad intentions for renovating a home in Auckland. This guide will provide a comprehensive guide for planning your renovation based on 3 broad categories. It will talk about budget, types of materials that we recommend for the three types of renovations based on your intention to renovate in Auckland.

Renovations for when you want to rent your house in Auckland
When you want to add value to your home to sell in Future
Home Renovations for a family home – to increase functionality and comfort

1. Intention of renting your property

When you are renting your property your two aims should be aesthetics and functionality. When it comes to aesthetics you want to renovate your kitchen and bathroom with a medium range budget. Tenants are looking for a place which is modern and with minimal wear and tear. They also look for homes that are functional so they face the least amount of inconvenience.

Kitchen renovations in Auckland for rentals

Kitchen is one of those places that should always look and feel clean and hygienic. Old Auckland kitchens usually have a dated look about them which make them look aesthetically unappealing. No matter how any times you clean them they always appear slightly worn out and yellow. Hence, giving your kitchen a makeover greatly increases its chances of being rented at a good price. An easy way to renovate old kitchens is to replace the flooring, counter tops and work benches.

You can use mid-range materials for counter tops which will look nice and are durable but will not break your bank. Materials such as laminate, Engineered stone and glass counter-tops could be a great option for the kitchen if you are looking at renting the house out. They look great and will instantly make the home look much more appealing to the tenants. Laminate flooring is also a good option for such kitchens as they look great, are good for the budget and are durable.

Bathroom renovations in Auckland for rentals

If your bathroom is looking grimy then it is best to get it renovated before renting it out. An average bathroom renovation costs about 15K if you are replacing the shower, toilet, adding a vanity and replacing the floors. You can use Vinyl floors or simple tiles for the bathroom at a very reasonable cost. Basic showers and toilets can also be found at a reasonable price. If you are not changing the pluming around then bathroom renovation costs can be done at a very minimal cost.

Adding Rooms

One of the tricks for getting most out of your rental property is to make larger rooms into two different rooms. If you have a two bedroom home then it would be rented for about $550 on an average in most Auckland suburbs. But if your lounge is very spacious, you could erect a wall making a small study out of the lounge. This would give you a third bedroom or study. This would effectively let you increase the rent of your place. The added wall would cost you as much and is almost always possible because there is no structural change if the wall is added inside the house.

Painting in Auckland for rentals

If your home has started looking worn down then a good paint job throughout the house can also prove to be a good investment. The important thing is getting it done by a professional. A good paint job will make all the difference to your home and overall aesthetics of your rental property.

2. Intention of reselling or adding value to your property

If you are thinking of selling your house in the future then you should renovate with the intention of adding value to your home. Adding value does not mean that you have to spend a lot of money to ‘add value’. The perceived value of your home is the buyer’s perception of your home.

They want the foundation and structure of your home to be sound as they do not want to buy something that they will have to put more money into ‘fixing up’. Some of the key elements of the house like kitchen, and bathroom also need to be in good condition so that they do not have to spend money in maintenance like fixing leakages etc or even renovating.

Kitchen renovations and Bathrooms renovations to add value

When trying to sell your home you want to make sure that your bathroom has no plumbing issues, leakage or damage. That is the first thing that you should fix. You do not have to install the latest fixtures or accessories if your present toilet and shower are still in good shape. If they are however dated then it would be a good idea to pull the old bathtub out and install a new shower. The idea is to make the buyer have a higher perceived value of the home.

The kitchen is another aspect of the house that should be looked into before selling your home. If your kitchen is very outdated and has started to look shabby then a change is in order. Change the flooring and pull down the old cabinets to give your kitchen a fresh new look. There is no need for customisation; simply use the most basic cabinets and counter-tops to make it look modern.

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Todd Chandler’s Home renovation in Saint Heliers to Add Value before Selling (see case study below)

Stay away from themes

When selling your home it is good to stay away from modelling your rooms after certain themes. This might actually become detrimental to the sales process as your personal themes might not appeal to the buyer. If you are going for classic themes then it would be okay as classic timeless themes do appeal to most people. We would however not recommend renovating your home keeping a theme in mind as the return on investment for a project like that would not be great.

Painting in Auckland for Adding value

Adding a fresh coat of paint to the exterior and interior of your home can also add considerable value to your home in the minds of the buyers. Again, we would advise you to paint in neutral colours as opposed to bold colours. Buyers will be willing to buy a house at a higher price if the house is well painted and looks striking.

Adding a deck to add value to a house

Add a deck to the house to instantly increase the value of your home. If you do not have a deck but do have the space on the outside of your home then we would recommend you to add a deck. The return on investment for building a deck is exponential as buyers would pay much higher for a home which provides them outdoor living.

3. Intention of giving your Family home to add comfort

When it comes to doing your own home renovation, then the options are unlimited. You can renovate your home based on your priority and needs of your family. If modernising your home is a priority then kitchen and bathroom would be the first few things to consider renovating. If you want a stylish makeover then you have plenty of options based on your budget, trends and personal preference for your home renovation.

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Kitchen renovation in Blockhouse Bay for a family home (see case study below)

Kitchen Renovations in Auckland for a family home

If you want more functionality then consider changing the interior of your cabinets to the current shelf storage system trend. These cabinets have custom built shelves in cabinets for different types of appliances. This saves space and adds functionality to your kitchen. There are also numerous styles and designs available for designer kitchens if you want to add a touch of luxury to your home. Most renovation companies have an in-house designer that can help you with the design process and source supplies to complement the style of kitchen you are after.

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Lynette and Henry’s Kitchen renovation was done keeping their lifestyle in mind (see case study below)

Bathroom Renovations in Auckland for a family home

You could renovate your bathroom based on the needs of your family. If you are a growing family then you could convert your en-suite into a separate bathroom and toilet. Or you could convert the bathroom and toilet to make a luxurious en-suite. This type of renovation will really depend on your budget and your needs.

Adding Rooms

You could add or pull down walls to either add rooms or make your current rooms more spacious depending on what you want out of your house renovation.

When doing your own home renovation, you should first ask yourself what you want and how much are you willing to spend. When you have a limited budget then drawing up a priority list is a must. If you have any problem areas like leakage then it is best to tackle that first as opposed to giving your home a makeover. If next on your list is the kitchen due to limited functionality then the best way to go forward would be to increase functionality rather than getting a makeover in terms of design.

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Before the kitchen renovation

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After completion (see case study below)

Featured Projects for Family Homes and Investment Properties

Investment Property to increase rental yield in Hillsborough

Our client had a 2 bedroom house in Hillsborough which fetching very little rent due to its state. It was an old house with a very old and dilapidated bathroom and kitchen. Our client renovated the entire house in accordance with the current tenancy laws. The bathroom and kitchen was renovated with mid-range durable and easy to maintain materials see full project specifications

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Todd Chandler’s renovation in St Heliers to add Value before Selling

Todd Chandler initially started his renovation for the family but then decided to just add value to sell it. We renovated 3 of his old leaky bathrooms with mid-range materials. The entire house was painted and the decks were re-built in accordance to the code of compliance see project specifications

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Full home renovation in Avondale for a 3 generational family living together

A full home renovation with structural changes, making space and room for 3 generations to live with comfort and convenience. This home needed to accommodate three generations with each generation having its unique needs in terms of convenience, comfort and aesthetics see full project specifications

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What are the best rental renovations for my investment?

Rental renovations are very different from Family home renovations. This guide discusses these differences in terms of budgets, materials used and customisation. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are the top two renovations that increase rental return for investment properties. You can also read our article on 10 best ways to increase rental returns on our article https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/rental-renovation-and-upgrades/

Do I have to manage my own renovation?

Renovation companies like ours provide a project manager for every renovation who manages the entire renovation as well as all different trades involved.

Do i have to get my own builder, electrician or plumber?

If you are doing your renovation on your own and sourcing all trades then yes. However renovation companies like ours provide our clients with all the different trades which go into any renovation. So we would provide electricians, plumbers, tilers, builders, grouters, painters, plasterers, installers, waterproofer, and project management.

Do i have to get my own products?

Our company will provide all products required to renovate any given area of your home. We have longstanding relationships with our suppliers. We take you to our various supplier showrooms so you can pick and choose your fixtures, flooring, lighting, tiles. For kitchens we built custom cabinets.

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

References:

https://tiledepot.co.nz

finance-badge1000x1000 Family Homes Vs Investment Properties - Renovation Guide for 2021

Have you been putting off getting renovations done?

We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.

Learn More about Interest-Free Payment Options*

*Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

This picture shows the skylights and deck that we renovated in this full home renovation in Auckland

House Renovation

10 Ways To Increase Your Rental Return by Renovating & Upgrading

July 20, 20200

How exactly do you plan a rental renovation?

Planning a rental renovation is very different from renovation your home. A rental renovation is not an emotional investment where you consider the needs and wants of your family members. A rental renovation is all about investing your money in the right upgrades and renovations to get the maximum return on your investment.

You want to add value so you can get a better rental yield and also be able to resell it at a good profit. The materials you choose and the areas you renovate are considerably different from when you renovate your home. It is important to understand this difference so you do not over invest in your renovation.

In this article we will first discuss the following:

What exactly is rental yield
the reasons you should invest in a rental property renovation
whether a rental property renovation is the right thing to do for your current finances.

Finally we discuss in depth the 10 different ways that you can add value to your home and most importantly how you can increase your rental yield. Rental property renovations need a bit more planning than your normal home renovations as you want to be able to get a good return on investment.

Having the right plan is important before you invest into your rental property.

What exactly is rental yield?

If you are a property investor in Auckland, you are either looking at getting the maximum rental yield for your property or renovating to sell for a maximum return on investment. For the purpose of this article, we will be talking about ways in which investors across Auckland can maximise their rental yield through rental property renovations.

Rental yield is one of the most important figures for any landlord. It is basically the rent that they can charge for their investment property. You cannot however charge any number that you desire. The rent a landlord can charge is always in proportion to the value of the property. This is easily explained with an example of a luxury two-bedroom apartment that can yield $900 per week

whereas another 2-bedroom apartment in need of some sprucing up might yield only $450.

At every stage of your investment, you will have to carefully consider your rental yield. What is your realistic rental income versus mortgage payments? Many lenders will require you to show that you can at least get 125% of your repayments in rental income.

Not every renovation is the same or as important to your tenants. Some types of renovations offer more rental value than other renovations. Kitchen and Bathroom renovations are the top two renovations to add value to your property.

However, exactly why do you need to renovate your rental property?

Why should I renovate my rental property?

So it is really worth renovating your rental property? The answer is yes. Even simple renovations to your rental property can bring higher quality tenants who are willing to pay more for a comfortable modern home. They want a home that is functional, has all the modern amenities and is easy to clean and maintain.

Differentiate your property from other competitors by putting some thought into your renovation. Make it attractive for potential tenants and for future buyers.

Expert Tip: Do not renovate your rental property as you would your home. When you are renovating your home, you personalise your renovations according to your taste. However, your taste could be vastly different from your renter’s or buyer’s taste. If you personalise your property, then it could put a potential renter or buyer off the property.

When renovating to rent, choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain. This will make life easier for tenants but more importantly it will ensure that you have lesser wear and tear. Do not choose the most expensive hardwood flooring because you love it. Instead choose laminate flooring to mimic hardwood floors which are of a great quality, easy to clean, and fantastic for your budget.

Top 3 Reasons for renovating a rental property

Improve energy efficiency: Adding energy efficient appliances such as induction cook-top means lesser electricity bills for tenants as well as a great selling point when you plan to sell in the future
Increase property value: By renovating in a thoughtful manner you could add value to your property which would attract higher rent or fetch a higher yield when you plan to sell the home.
Improve renter satisfaction: Include good quality appliances for your renters. Good quality appliances such as dishwashers etc would mean that they will increase renter satisfaction and also there will be fewer fixes that you have to make throughout the tenancy.

Now how much is too much to spend on rental property renovations? Let’s look at budget planning for rental property renovations.

Is a rental property renovation the right thing to do financially?

Research is important when renovating either your home or investment property. But when you decide to renovate your investment property it is even more important to do some thorough research about the market. Your first step would be to see whether you are charging low, median or higher rent as compared to the average rent for similar properties. If you are charging below the median rent then getting the property renovated to add value would be a great idea. However, if you are already charging way above the median rent then renovating to add value would not be great return on investment.

Here are a few questions to think through:

How much will the property cost to renovate?
How much will it allow you to increase the rent if renovating?
How long will it take for you to pay off your cost of renovation with your new rental increase?
How much can you increase the rent of your property realistically for people to want to renovate your property.

Once you have conducted your research, it would be good to contact a renovation company for advice related to the areas that could renovated with the goal of adding value to your property.

Do your research and get several quotes from various companies compare them in terms of what they offer and the costs. Choose a company that can give you a fixed quote in order to avoid future budget blowouts. Also as this is your investment property, you do not want to spend too much time on the property managing things. Choose a company that can provide a Design to Build service while providing a project manager to over see the entire renovation from beginning to end.

10 Improvements to increase rental value of your property through rental property renovations

A lot of landlords see minor upgrades as an expense rather than a long-term investment. Experts suggest that keep the formula simple. Invest in small upgrades that add convenience to a tenant in order to attract a more interest for your property, higher quality tenants and better rental yield. In the long term you will more than make your money back. Following are a few minor upgrades to add convenience:

1. Increase the comfort of your home

Heat pump installation

Adding a heat pumps are an energy efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioning. Summers and Winters in NZ often require either fans or heaters. If you install a heat pump in your home, you are bound to differentiate your home and attract tenants that are willing to pay more for this convenience. You can either get single units for each room, multi-level split units for multiple rooms or ducted heat pumps for central heating. Moreover, central heating will add value to your home when you want to sell in the future.

Insulation for your rental property renovation

A well-insulated house does not only provide health benefits but is also important to ensure the longevity of your property. A house that is not insulated will encourage the growth of black mould which is detrimental to the structure of your home. Black mould can seep into your walls and cause them to crack which in turn weakens the structure of the house.

Homes which are not insulated further deter good quality tenants and retainability of good ones. A home that is not insulated will not attract families as they can prove to be an unhealthy environment for families. Families usually are better tenants who will look after your home better that students etc.

Ensure the longevity of your property and increase rental yield by insulating your property. It should never be mistaken as an expense but an in investment.

Kitchen renovation in Hillsborough

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2. Kitchen upgrades and Kitchen renovation

Gone are the days when a kitchen was a secluded room at the end of the house. Kitchen now is a very integral part of everyday living. Open plan kitchens are not just a trend but a way of living. Apart from structure and layout, easy to clean materials are a must if you want to attract good tenants and retain them. You should also use materials that are not hard to maintain such as hardwood flooring as you cannot guarantee whether your tenant will take good care of it.

Expert tip: Rental properties should never be renovated according to the owner’s personal taste. Too much personalisation can deter tenants as well as future buyers. When renovating an investment property use classic colours and low maintenance materials. Classic colours allow tenants as well as future tenants flexibility to mould the house to their tastes.

We have listed a few ways that you can get the most out of your kitchen renovation if you want to get a higher rental yield or add value to your kitchen.

Flooring Use Laminate or Acrylic if you are redoing your kitchen floors. Laminate and acrylic flooring are low maintenance materials which are easy to clean and cost effective. They can imitate any other type of flooring in terms of texture and looks which make them a highly versatile material. Unlike most cost-effective solutions, they are also very highly durable which means that they increase the longevity of your kitchen floors. In case you do want to change this type of flooring in the future you can do so at a fraction of cost compared to hardwood flooring.

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Property renovation in Avondale (see full case study) – Laminate flooring to imitate hardwood flooring

3. Bathroom Upgrades and renovations

Bathrooms are the second most important thing that rentals and buyers look at after kitchens in a house. Bathroom renovations and upgrades add considerable value to a home and increase the rental yield of a house. Our project managers have put together a few things that you can upgrade in your bathroom to get a maximum return on your investment:

Get your bathroom waterproofed, heated and well ventilated – Moisture is an enemy to your walls and structure. Professionally waterproofing and ventilating your bathroom will ensure the longevity of your property while adding comfort for your tenants. Waterproofing and ventilating your property will save you a considerable amount of money in the future in terms of damages

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Rental renovation in Hillsborough above (see full case study)– We upgraded all fixtures and used low maintenance materials with minimum personalisation. This was an old and run down house but the owner wanted to renovate with the intention of charging above median rent.

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Property renovation in Hillsborough above – Client replaced flooring, basin, shower and toilet with new fixtures. A few changes can make a world of difference in any bathroom. See full case study

Installing new Fixtures – A bathroom with dated fixtures will hardly yield high rent or even a good price when you plan to sell your investment property. Update your dated bathtub for a modern shower to generate more interest for your rental property. Dilapidated bathrooms often deter tenants and buyers alike. Upgrade your toilet, vanity and bathtub in under $12,000 to increase the value of your property as well as rental yield.

4. Painting for your rental property renovation

Painting your house is a great cost-effective way of increasing the appeal of your property and preserving it. Painting a home increases the perceived value of a property which in turn increases its rental yield. Painting walls that have started looking drab will breathe a fresh life into your property which will attract a considerable amount of interest for renters and buyers alike.

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Rental Property Upgrade – Before we painted the entire room

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Rental Property upgrade – After we painted the room

If you have wallpapers on some of your walls, then this would be a good time to remove them and paint your walls. When you are renting out your property it is good to remember that you should be using solutions that will be able to sustain the most amount of wear and tear.

Full Painting in Greenhithe

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Property renovation – We painted the entire house to add value to the property

Hence when painting your investment property, it would be a good idea to get it done with professionals and use oil-based paints. Oil based undercoats and paints are able to withstand a higher amount of wear and tear compared to water-based paints. Oil based paints are more expensive than water-based paints, but it will prove to be a better investment for your money and time.

5. Increase Curb Appeal for your rental property renovation

Aucklanders love to have an outdoor area where they can entertain family and friends during summer. Having a nice deck or outdoor area greatly increases the value of a property and also attracts higher interest from high quality renters. A nicely renovated outdoor area is the first impression your renter or buyers gets of your property.

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Deck renovation in Cockle Bay (see full case study)– We replaced the old deck with a new one as it was dilapidated and unsafe for current use. The property had a lot of unused area around the house so we created a large deck to add value and convenience for clients.

Hence it is a good idea to invest a little money on renovating your deck or patio to a good standard. Deck renovations are inexpensive and a great return on investment for your property whether you are looking at getting a higher rental yield or increasing the value of your property before selling.

6. Minor Landscaping

First impressions count when renters or buyers first see your property in Auckland’s competitive market. The right renters will care if your property is well maintained from the outside. Make sure you keep the garden mowed; the trees mowed and plant a few plants for some added exterior appeal to your property.

When it comes to selling your property, a well landscaped exterior can add between 5.5% to 12.5% to the overall price of your house. While interior design trends might fade, a garden only matures with age which adds additional value to your property. The best way to add value through landscaping is having a plan. An incoherent plan or landscaping can in fact deter tenants and buyers.

Come up with a plan before you start your landscaping project. Take some professional advice, do some research and then commence your project.

7. Change the flooring of your property

Carpets have traditionally been the choice of flooring for living areas of most Auckland homes. Carpets however are difficult to maintain and start to look stained and dirty quite easily. Before we renovate homes, we always ask our clients what their reason for renovating is. This is because this will greatly impact the type of flooring you choose as well as your budget.

As mentioned above, rental and investment properties should make use of low maintenance materials for their renovations. If you have a carpeted rental property which has started looking old and stained, then it is not going to generate much interest in the rental or even buyer’s market.

To increase rental yield, it would be a good idea to rip your old carpets and renovate your rooms with a good quality laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is low maintenance and highly durable which will extend the longevity of your floors. They are also cost effective which means that even if they get ruined during a bad tenancy, they will not be expensive to replace. They also come in various, colours, textures, and designs which means that you can make your rental property aesthetically beautiful generating higher interest.

8. Small Aesthetic changes

If you are unable to invest in upgrades or renovations for your property, then think about making small aesthetic changes to your property. We have put together a few inexpensive ideas that you can implement to differentiate your property from competitors.

Replace old curtains and blinds with new ones to breathe a fresh life into your rooms. Old curtains can also make a room look shabby which is not what you want if you are looking for a higher rental yield.
Change your old stove top for a newer one. Kitchen is on top of the list for most tenants when they go for a house viewing. If you do not want to invest in a full kitchen upgrade, then it would be a good idea to change a few things to make the most out of your investment. An old stove top will deter potential tenants. A good quality stove top will only cost you $500 but even a $10 increase in rent/week due to this would get a good return on investment. The most popular and efficient stoves today are induction ovens. You can also opt for gas depending on your preference.
Change old taps in your bathrooms – Old yellowing and cracking bathroom tap-ware can deter tenants even if it might seem like a small thing. Spruce up your bathroom by changing all tap-ware in your bathroom without breaking the bank.

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BEFORE and AFTER – (see full case study) – Replaced flooring + Bathtub + Taps and Painted the entire bathroom.

Trim and Maintain your garden and landscaping to ensure that your property is in a good and presentable condition. First impressions matter so keep your exterior neat and tidy before viewings.
Change your kitchen bench-tops from old Vinyl to engineered stone bench-top. This can instantly lift your kitchen up and notch and dramatically change its look. Engineered bench-tops are versatile in design and texture so you can play around with it to add to the aesthetics of your kitchen. Engineered stone is very cost effective, durable, easy to clean and will last you a very long time.
Clean before your viewings. It pays to hire professional cleaner to make sure that your property is presented at its best light. Clean the windows, dispose off outside debris, wash the exterior of your home and clean the interiors to attract good tenants who will be willing to pay more for your property. The idea is to sell a dream to the renters of a place they can call a home. Polish your hardwood floors to add some more shine and glamour to your floors.

9. Furnish your home for expatriates as renters

Auckland has many expats living here who come to the country for a few years and then leave. They usually look for a stress-free tenancy which is mostly paid by the company. Their ample rent allows them the freedom to pick houses that are well maintained, aesthetically pleasing and furnished well. High end rental property renovations should include furnishing the house as well to attract expats.

We would not recommend you furnish your property if you do not want to invest much money into your rental. Most renters in Auckland do not want furnished houses as they already have their own or they do not want to pay more for a furnished house.

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Property upgrade and Renovation in Saint Heliers (see full case study)– Client wanted to renovate to add value before either renting as a luxury apartment or even selling.

If you want to attract expats, then you must be able to invest a good sum of money into revamping it. Expats do not want to bother with the hassle of buying furniture as they would be moving in a few years. In saying that, they also will not compromise with a house that is garishly furnished or have inferior quality. This does not mean that you must carry out a full renovation and get the most expensive furniture.

The key is to furnish it with some good quality furniture and a house that is tastefully decorated. You can double your rental yield if you invest some money into upgrading and decorating your property. Tell your agent that you are aiming for expats and take some advice before you begin redecorating. You can get up to $1500 per week for a 2-bedroom home if you upgrade and decorate correctly. Some examples of such houses are luxury apartments in the CBD.

10. Add a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer

Installing a dishwasher, washing Machine and dryer are not mandatory by law but they add great comfort for renters. Rental property renovations should be about including basic amenities to attract good quality tenants. More and more people are looking for properties that will make their life better without any hassle. This is all about getting a higher rental yield that you are currently getting. What tenant will not pay more for a house that has three comforts compared to a house that doesn’t?

Also, remember that you are not competing with every house in the market but a market that is of your choosing. You want to attract renters that are good, will stay for a long time, can pay more and will keep your property in a good condition.

Featured Projects

Investment Property to increase rental yield in Hillsborough

Todd Chandler’s renovation in St Heliers to add Value before Selling

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Should i renovate my rental property?

One of the main reasons for renovating rental properties is to save on the ongoing maintenance cost. Renovating your rental property also means that you can attract higher quality tenants and get a better rental yield per week which in turn gives you a better return on your investment.

How can i get higher rent?

Yes you can get higher rent through renovations and upgrades. People will only pay higher rent for a property if it has modern amenities and comfort to be able to justify the rent. Read our full article to see the type of upgrades you can do to get higher rent.

What are the best rental renovations for my investment?

The top rental renovations are Bathrooms, Kitchens, Flooring, Painting and comfortable upgrades like adding a heat pump. The aim is to spruce things up and add a level of comfort that most people are looking for.

If you have any questions about upgrades to add value for better rental yield or explore other options then – feel free to get in touch with the team at Superior Property Services – 0800 199 888

Disclaimer: These cost estimates are based on quotes we’ve sent to past clients and jobs we’ve completed ourselves. This article is offered as a general guide only. The views and information expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency in New Zealand. Any person who relies upon any matter contained in this guide does so entirely at their own risk.

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

References:

https://tiledepot.co.nz

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House Renovation

Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

June 18, 20200

As you walk into Tile Depot you are overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their range. We never realised how exciting a tile showroom could be. There were huge Italian tiles, small colourful accent tiles, tiles with various textures, tiles that emulated wood and the list just doesn’t stop. The tile trends are plenty and the process of choosing the right tile is made surprisingly easy when you consult with the Tile Depot ladies.

We met Ruth and Kitty from Tile Depot and it reinforced our conviction that their values fit right in with ours at Superior Renovations. Working, selling and advising about tiles was not their only goal. Working at tile depot helping clients choose the right tile for their spaces was something of a passion.

Ruth has worked in Tile Depot for more than 15 years while Kitty has worked there for almost 8 years. Their knowledge about various tiles, upcoming tile trends and how they affect a space was phenomenal.

As a lot of our clients choose their tiles from Tile depot, it was important for us to understand how their experience was. We had a long conversation with Ruth and Kitty. In our discussion we talked about:

tile trends of 2021
how to select the right type of tiles for your home and situation
tiling mistakes that people should avoid
how tiles can affect the aura of a room.

Top 6 Tile Trends for 2021 by Kitty

1. Large Slabs of tiles

There are many advantages to using larger tiles in small and big spaces alike. Larger tiles make an area look ‘less busy’ says Ruth. There are lesser grout lines which means that when you use a large slab of tile in a small bathroom for example, then your room will look more spacious as opposed to if you use smaller tiles. Choose 600 by 600 or even 600 by 1200 for your spaces to bring out an elegant and spacious look for any room.

2. Tiles with Patterns

Gone are the days when tiles were just used for convenient clean up your bathrooms and kitchen. The conventional use of tiles has long been past. They are now used to add personality and aura to the room. Tiles used as feature walls or as a pattern on the wall have become very popular. 2021 will see a rise in the use of patterned tiles to add character to a room or as a feature wall. These vintage designs bring in some old-world charm to the modern homes of today.

A wide range of contemporary patterned tiles that can be used in a number of ways to add character to a room (Tile Depot, 2020)	Navy Artisan tiles used as a feature wall in the bathroom (Tile Depot, 2020)
BrickOne Rosso Tiles used as a feature wall in the living room (Tile Depot, 2020)

3. Colours – Earthy tones

Accent tiles and splashbacks have become very popular in earthy tones. Earthy tones exude a feeling of warmth and create a calm rustic look for any space. Earthy tones draw their inspiration for natural elements such as the sun, earth, sky, and greenery. Most Italian tiles fall into this category adding a Mediterranean look when used in any room. This Tile trends has been growing for a few years and is set to rise in 2021.

Casablanca-Red-as-a-warm-earthy-tone-Room Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Casablanca Red adding a warm and earthy touch to a bathroom (Tile Depot, 2020)

May-olive-and-fern-Earthy-room Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Earthy May Olive and Fern (Tile Depot, 2020)

4. Vibrant coloured tiles – the Casablanca collection

Tile trends are seeing a growth in the minimalist look with streamlined modern designs has also meant the growth of Vibrant tiles as accent walls or splashbacks. This is so people can add a ‘pop’ of colour to an otherwise neutral interior. The Casablanca collection at Tile Depot consists of a diverse range of bright and vibrant colours that can be used in any setting or space. Use Casablanca Black in your bathroom for an industrial look or Casablanca red to create a playful rustic look.

Rooms-Casablanca-blue-as-feauture-wall Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Casablanca Sky Blue as a feature wall in the bathroom (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Casablanca Orange (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Casablanca Bottle Green as a splash-back in the kitchen (Tile Depot, 2020)

5. Textured Feature walls

Traditionally textured tiles were only used around fireplaces and foyers. Textured have seen a growth in tile trends as feature walls as it generates interest and brings an essence of the outdoors into your home. The Lyon range at Tile Depot can be cleverly used as a feature wall in bedrooms and living areas.

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Textured tiles in the bathroom (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Textured Bronze Sky tiles used as a splash back in the kitchen (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Textured Black as a back-splash (Tile Depot, 2020)

6. Metal Range

Mixing elements of metal along with tiles is another growing trend to bring out an industrial look. Mix metals as patterns in your living room to make a unique pattern or simply use it as accent tiles in your kitchen.

Metal_Stone_Bronze_Situ_3-800x538-Room Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Metallic Stone Tile (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Metallic Rock Silver Tile (Tile Depot, 2020)

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Metallic Rock Bronze Tile (Tile Depot, 2020)

Your needs as a Family greatly determine the types of tiles suited for you

Your needs as a family can be a huge factor on the type of tiles you choose for your home. Your needs as a family with young children would be very different compared to if you have elderly relatives living with you. When thinking about elders you should think of functionality more than just what the current tile trends are.

Ruth explains in greater detail on the types of tiles suited for various types of family and the importance of choosing your tiles with great care. Look at our chart below to understand the types of tiles suited for your home.

Young Families

Families with young children lead busy lives especially if they also have a career to juggle. Low maintenance tiles which prove easy to clean and are durable are their top priority.

Recommended tiles:

Matte Finish tiles: Always remember the smoother the tiles the more slippery they will be. To avoid accidents and mishaps, choose matte finish tiles for your home.
Smooth tiles: Avoid textured tiles for families with young kids as they are harder to clean when compared to smooth tiles.

Low-Risk-Tile-Porceline-tile Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

An example of Low-Risk Porcelain tile

Moderate-Risk-Tile-Microban-surface Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

An example of a Moderate Risk Tile

Families with Elders

Anti-slip tiles are vital for elders and people with disabilities. The common misconception is that you can use outdoor tiles inside your home to avoid accidents due to slipping. This however is not true as outdoor tiles should never be used indoors.

Recommended tiles:

Matte Finish – Smoother the tiles the slipperier they are. Hence use matte finish tiles to avoid any unwanted accidents.
Antislip ratings – Tiles are rated between R9 to R13 with a standard interior tile having a rating of R9. If you are tiling an area that is at a slope, then it would be wise to choose one with a higher rating. The higher the rating the more slip-resistant it is.
LifeMark Range R10 – Lifemark range that has been tested with slight slip resistance which is good for bathroom/shower, so if any household that is elderly, adult that has been injured or with young kids they should consider looking at the Lifemark range for a better slip resistance

Lifemark-bathroom Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

A bathroom with LifeMark Tiles on the floor (Tile Depot, 2020)

Kitty shares the top 3 mistakes people make while choosing tiles for their home

1. Choosing small tiles for small spaces

As mentioned above, this is a very common mistake that people make when choosing tiles for their home. If your space is small, then choose large slabs of tiles to avoid breaks (in form of grout lines) between tiles.

2. Not buying extra tiles

It often happens that people buy the exact number of tiles that they require to tile a certain room. Kitty says that it is wise to buy an extra box of tiles for the future. It is common that stores discontinue a certain model of tiles which means that if something goes wrong in the future and you have to replace a tile then you might not be able to buy the exact one from the store again. In this case you might have to re-tile the entire area. To avoid this its best to have a spare box of tiles that you can use in case of any future mishap.

3. Always take a sample tile home before committing to the purchase

How a tile looks inside the store is very different to what it will look like in your bathroom. Factors like natural lighting of your bathroom and the layout greatly determine the shade of light that your tile will appear as. Hence its good to ask for a sample of the tile that you like and see how it looks inside your room.

Featured Projects

Full home Renovation in Parnell

This townhouse was centrally located in Parnell but the kitchen was tiny and lacked counter space. We completely changed the layout of this kitchen by first moving it from the left side of the area to the right. We then added cabinets in the dining area as an extended storage space. This cabinet featured shelves with internal lights which could be opened when required. The 3D textured Tile backplash was the star of of the kitchen. To see Before and After pictures and project specifications see more

DSC07315-1000-1 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

DSC07314-1024x682 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Spanish Style Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry renovation in Auckland

Mary Stuart’s renovation was as much as a credit to her as it was to our designers and renovators. She had a clear vision tearing of converting an old closed off kitchen into an open and spacious Spanish style rustic kitchen. The use of mosaic tiles as feature strips in her kitchen and bathroom truly incorporated a Spanish feel to her Auckland kitchen. She was not afraid of bold colours and wanted to convert her bathroom and kitchen into a rustic villa reminiscent of Spain right her in Auckland see more

renovations-auckland-11-1024x681 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

renovations-auckland-7-1024x681 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

kitchen-ideas-by-superior-renovations-9-1024x681 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

DSC06418-1000 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Renovation Projects with Subway Tiles

Todd Chandler’s renovation in St Heliers – Subway tiles used on Bathroom walls

Avondale home renovation – Subway tiles used as a backsplash in the kitchen

West Harbour home renovation – Subway tiles used in Kitchen and Bathroom

Craig and Amber’s home renovation – Subway tiles used in the Kitchen

d064-H2105474-hires.20233-WEB12-300x200 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

IMG_9598-1000-300x200 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

kitchen-ideas-by-superior-renovations-44-300x200 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

DSC05546-1000 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Ambury-Rd-1024x768 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Ambury-2-1024x768 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

Further Resources

Ideas for Bathroom renovations in our bathroom renovation gallery of bathrooms we have renovated in Auckland
Ideas for Kitchen renovations in our kitchen renovation gallery for kitchens we have renovated in Auckland
Featured projects and Client stories to see specifications on some of the projects.
Real client stories from Auckland

Is flooring included in my renovation?

We provide a full service to renovate any given area. So if we are renovating your bathroom then flooring will be included in our service to renovate your bathroom. This applies to all the rooms in the house. We can also do just flooring for your entire house which means that we will design, supply, install and project manage your flooring project.

Do you work with Tile Depot?

Tile depot is one of our partners for flooring for renovations. We have been working with Tile Depot for quite a while and we often take our clients there to select tiles for their renovations.

Will you help me with the design process for selecting tiles?

Our project manager along with our design team will help you select the right type of tiles for your renovation. We also rely on the expertise of the Tile depot staff to help our clients make the right choice in tiles.

What type of tiles should i be using for my bathroom?

Our designer can help you with choosing the right type of tile depending on your design preference and the type of family situation you have. You can also read our article on bathroom design trends to have a better understanding of what most clients prefer these days https://superiorrenovations.co.nz/16-top-trends-in-bathroom-tile-design-for-2019/

Still have questions unanswered? schedule a no-obligation consultation with the team at Superior Renovations

WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

Get started now by booking a free in-home consultation.

Request Your In-home Consultation

Or call us on 0800 199 888

www.superiorrenovations.co.nz

References:

https://tiledepot.co.nz

finance-badge1000x1000 Emerging Tile Trends (2021) by Tile Depot (+common mistakes to avoid)

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We have partnered with Q Mastercard ® to provide you an 18 Month Interest-Free Payment Option, you can enjoy your new home now and stress less.

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House Renovation

Entertainment Vs Family Kitchen Design: Explained by Cici Zuo

In this article:

1. Make Space For a Drink’s Fridge

2. Make a Kitchen Island Central to Your Design

3. Get Kitchen Lighting Right

4. Ensure Kitchen Extraction is Efficient

5. Think Seating

6. Take Acoustics into Account

How Do You Build A Kitchen Design For Entertaining?

11 Kitchen Design That Blend Form and Function

1. Boost Storage In A Family Kitchen With A Beautiful Banquette

2. Create A True Social Hub For Family Time

3. Enhance Your Kitchen Layout

4. Include A Kitchen Island Into Your Plans

5. Opt For Smart Storage Solutions

6. Make Space For Working From Home

7. Put Functionality At The Heart Of Your Kitchen

8. Put The Focus On Functional Flooring

9. Light The Way

10. Go For A Dark Colour On Cabinetry

11. Plan Your Kitchen Around Family Life

How Do You Design A Family Kitchen?

Our Top 8 Lighting Ideas for your Kitchen Design

1. Install An Eye-Catching Modern Lighting Centrepiece

2. Make The Best Use Of Down-lights

3. Layer Light

4. Tackle Task Lighting

5. Consider Low Light Sources

6. Light The Inside Of Cabinetry

7. ‘Wash’ Cabinetry With Lighting

8. Ask An Expert In Modern Kitchen Lighting Design

4 Modern Kitchen Lighting Tips For Your Modern Kitchen Design

1. Create Light Reflections

2. Light Beyond Your Modern Kitchen

3. Choose Discreet Modern Kitchen Lighting Ideas

4. Use Modern Kitchen Lighting To Play With Room Proportions

5 Tips For A Kitchen Design Layout

1. Create a Wishlist

2. Set a Kitchen Design Budget

3. Consider How You Will Use Your Space

4. Measure Up

5. Consider the Perfect Layout

Already have all your own trades and you’re comfortable managing them for your kitchen renovation?

A Guide For Your Smart Home Essentials. Benefits and Tips

Content:

7 Benefits of Having a Smart Home in NZ

1. Entertainment

2. General Appliances

3. Lighting and Temperature Control

4. Home Security

5. Sustainability

6. Remote Access

7. Accessibility

Cost of Setting up & Running a Smart Home

Setup Costs

Running Costs

Do Smart Homes Save Money?

How to Get Started with a Basic Smart Home?

Planning

Installing

Top 4 Recommended Energy Efficient Appliances

1. Smart Thermostats

2. Smart Lighting

3. Smart Fridge

4. Smart Outlets

How to Secure Your Smart Home Security? 5 Essential Tips

1. Set up your router correctly

2. Change the routers default name

3. Set the password to something unique

4. Disable features you don’t use

5. Enable multi-factor authentication

Benefits of Installing Smart Kitchen Appliances

1. Smart devices provide useful notifications

2. Energy efficient appliances cut costs

3. Cooking made easy

4. Less worry when you’re on vacation

5. Smart Appliances

How to Create a Smart Bathroom? 6 Tips to Help.

1. Voice control in the bathroom

4. 21^st century toilets