Home Renovation Terms You Should Know (For New Zealanders)

Essential Home Renovation Terms: A Glossary 

Thinking about renovating your home in New Zealand? The process can be a bit of a mission, especially with all the specialized lingo thrown around. To make things easier, we’ve put together a comprehensive glossary of common home renovation terms, sprinkled with a bit of Kiwi slang. Dive in and get clued up on everything you need to know for your next reno project!

A

Acoustics: Acoustics refer to how sound behaves in a room. This affects noise levels and echo, which are important considerations for spaces like home theatres and offices.

Addition: An extension or increase in the floor area or height of a building. Additions can significantly enhance the functionality and value of a home, often used to create more living space or add features like an extra bedroom or bathroom.

Architect: An architect designs buildings and oversees their construction. They create detailed plans and drawings to ensure your renovation meets all building codes and specific requirements​.

Architectural Plans: These are detailed drawings of your home renovation or construction project. They show dimensions, layouts, and design elements, helping you visualize the end result.

Asbestos: A hazardous material that was once commonly used in building materials for insulation and fireproofing. Due to its link to lung diseases, including cancer, its use has been banned or restricted in many countries. Special handling and disposal procedures are required during renovation to ensure safety.

B

Balustrade The railing and posts around a staircase, balcony, or deck, providing safety and support.

Blueprint: A detailed plan or drawing used to guide the construction or renovation of a building. Blueprints typically include floor plans, elevations, and other critical construction details, ensuring all stakeholders have a clear understanding of the project’s scope and specifications.

Building Act 2004: This act governs all building work in New Zealand, setting standards for design and construction to ensure buildings are safe, healthy, and durable.

Building Code: The Building Code sets out the minimum performance standards that buildings must meet in New Zealand, covering aspects like structure, fire safety, moisture control, energy efficiency, and accessibility.

 

Building Consent: Permission from a local authority to carry out building work that complies with building codes and regulations. Building consent ensures that the construction meets safety and health standards, protecting both the occupants and the environment.

Builder: A professional who constructs buildings, ensuring the structure meets all specifications and safety standards. Builders coordinate various aspects of the construction process, from foundation laying to final touches, ensuring everything is built to code.

Building Envelope: The physical barrier between the interior and exterior of a building, including walls, floors, roofs, windows, and doors. The building envelope plays a crucial role in regulating indoor climate, ensuring energy efficiency, and protecting against weather elements.

BWoF (Building Warrant of Fitness): A certificate confirming that a building’s safety systems are being maintained and are in good working order.

C

CNC Machines: Computer-controlled machines used in manufacturing to cut, drill, and shape materials like wood or metal with high precision.

Carpenter: A tradesperson skilled in working with wood, often involved in building frameworks, cabinets, and other wooden structures. Carpenters are essential in both new constructions and renovations, crafting everything from structural elements to detailed finish work.

Certificate of Compliance: A document confirming that completed work complies with all relevant building codes and regulations. This certificate is essential for verifying that the construction has been inspected and meets all legal requirements, often needed for final occupancy approval.

Change Order: A written document that modifies the original construction contract, specifying changes to the scope of work, cost, or timeline. Change orders are common in renovation projects as unforeseen issues or new client requests can arise, necessitating adjustments to the initial plan.

Compliance Schedule: A document listing the systems within a building that must be inspected and maintained to ensure they are safe and effective.

Contractor: An individual or company hired to perform specific tasks during a renovation or construction project. Contractors can specialize in various trades, such as plumbing, electrical work, or general construction, and are responsible for executing their part of the project according to agreed specifications and timelines.

Council Consent: Required for certain renovation projects to ensure they meet local regulations and building codes. This is separate from building consent and typically pertains to zoning laws and land use.

 

D

Developer: An individual or company that invests in property development, managing the financial and administrative aspects of the project. Developers oversee everything from land acquisition and planning to construction and marketing, often hiring contractors to complete the building work.

Draftsperson: Creates detailed technical drawings based on the architect’s design. These drawings are used by builders and contractors to guide construction.

Drywall: A construction material made from gypsum plaster, used to create interior walls and ceilings. Drywall is favored for its ease of installation and finishing, providing a smooth, paintable surface for interior spaces.

E

Edge Bander: A machine that applies a thin strip of material to the edges of panels for a finished look, often used in cabinetry.

Electrical Plan: A detailed drawing showing the location of all electrical outlets, switches, lights, and wiring in your renovation. It’s essential for planning and executing electrical work​.

Elevation: A type of architectural drawing that shows one side of a building, providing a flat view of the structure’s exterior from a particular angle.

Estimate: An approximate calculation of the cost of a construction project, subject to change based on actual expenses. Estimates provide a preliminary budget for planning purposes, but the final cost can vary depending on various factors encountered during the project.

Existing Condition: The current state of your property, which affects the scope and cost of your renovation. Older homes might require additional work like removing asbestos or fixing uneven foundations​ .

 

F

Floor Plan: A scaled drawing that shows the layout of rooms and spaces within a building as viewed from above. It’s a key tool for planning interior spaces and furniture placement.

Footing: The lower part of a foundation that distributes the weight of the building to the ground. Footings are crucial for stability, preventing the structure from settling or shifting over time.

Foundation: The structural base of a building that supports and anchors it to the ground. Foundations can be made from various materials, including concrete and stone, and are essential for the building’s integrity and longevity.

G

Gable: The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof. Gables are a common architectural feature in many home designs, providing both aesthetic appeal and functional attic space.

General Contractor: A contractor responsible for the overall coordination of a construction project. General contractors manage subcontractors, oversee project timelines, and ensure that all work complies with the project specifications and local building codes.

GIB: A common brand of plasterboard used in New Zealand for walls and ceilings.

GST (Goods and Services Tax): A 15% tax added to most goods and services in New Zealand, including construction work.

 

H

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems used to regulate indoor climate. HVAC systems are essential for maintaining comfortable and healthy indoor environments, especially in varying climates.

I

Interior Designer: A professional who plans and decorates the interior spaces of a building to improve aesthetics and functionality. Interior designers consider factors such as color schemes, furniture placement, and lighting to create harmonious and practical living spaces.

Insulation: Material used to reduce heat loss or gain in a building. Insulation improves energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs while maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures.

J

Joinery The craft of connecting pieces of wood together to create furniture or fittings like cabinets.

L

Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP): A tradesperson who is licensed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to carry out certain types of building work. This ensures the work is done to a high standard.

Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it. Removing or altering load-bearing walls requires careful planning and reinforcement to maintain the building’s structural integrity.

M

Masonry: Building structures from individual units, often bricks or stones, bonded together with mortar. Masonry is valued for its durability and aesthetic appeal, commonly used for walls, chimneys, and decorative features.

MBIE (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment): The government department responsible for building and construction regulations in New Zealand.

N


NZBC (New Zealand Building Code):
The set of rules all building work must comply with, ensuring buildings are safe and healthy to use.

 

P

Permit: An official document granting permission to carry out certain types of work. Permits ensure that construction complies with local regulations and safety standards, protecting both builders and occupants.

Plasterboard: Also known as drywall, a building material used for interior walls and ceilings. Plasterboard provides a smooth, paintable surface and is easy to install and finish.

Plywood: A strong, engineered wood made from layers of thin wood veneers glued together. Commonly used in construction for its durability.

Project Manager: Oversees the entire renovation project, coordinating between different trades, managing timelines, and ensuring the project stays within budget. They are crucial for large or complex renovations​.

 

Q

Quantity Surveyor: A professional who estimates and manages the costs of construction projects, ensuring they stay within budget.

Quote: A fixed price provided by a contractor for a specific job, not subject to change. Quotes offer a precise budget for the project, allowing homeowners to plan their finances accurately.

R

R-Value: A measure of insulation’s effectiveness. Higher R-values mean better insulation, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

 

Rafter: A structural component of a roof, extending from the ridge to the wall plate. Rafters support the roof covering and contribute to the building’s structural integrity.

Renovation: The process of improving a broken, damaged, or outdated structure. Renovations can range from minor cosmetic updates to major structural changes, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

Resource Consent: Permission required for projects impacting the environment or community, such as altering land use. Resource consents ensure that developments comply with environmental regulations and community standards.

Retrofitting: Adding new features to an existing building, like double-glazed windows or better insulation​.

 

S

Scaffolding: A temporary structure used to support workers and materials during construction or repair of buildings.

Site Manager: Responsible for the day-to-day operations on a construction site. They ensure the work is carried out safely, on time, and to the required quality standards.

Specified Systems: Essential safety systems in a building, such as fire alarms, lifts, and emergency lighting, which must be regularly inspected and maintained.

Structural Engineer: Assesses the strength and stability of a building’s structure. They ensure that renovations don’t compromise the integrity of the building and that any structural changes meet safety standards.

 

Subcontractor: A contractor hired by the primary contractor to perform specific tasks. Subcontractors are specialists in areas like plumbing, electrical work, or painting, contributing their expertise to the overall project.

Subfloor: The structural layer beneath your finished floor, providing support and stability​.

 

T

Tenders: Proposals from contractors offering to do your building work. You should collect several tenders to choose the best option.

Timber: Wood prepared for use in building and carpentry. In New Zealand, common types include pine and cedar​.

 

Trim: The finish materials in a building, such as baseboards, moldings, and window casings. Trim adds decorative detail and covers gaps between walls, floors, and ceilings.

U

Underlayment: A layer of material installed under flooring for support and noise reduction. Underlayment provides a smooth, stable surface for the finished floor and enhances comfort and durability.

V

Vapour Barrier:  A material that prevents moisture from penetrating walls and floors, protecting your home from dampness.

Veneer: A thin layer of material applied to the surface of a structure for decorative purposes. Veneers can be made from wood, stone, or other materials, providing the appearance of solid construction without the weight and cost.

W

Weatherboard: Horizontal wooden boards used as exterior cladding on a building. Weatherboards protect the structure from the elements and add a traditional, rustic aesthetic.

Worksite: The location where construction or renovation work is being carried out. Worksites must be managed safely and efficiently to ensure timely project completion.

 

Common New Zealand Slang in Trades

Tradie: A tradesperson, often used to refer to someone skilled in a particular trade, such as an electrician or plumber.

Chippy: A carpenter.

Sparky: An electrician.

Bricky: A bricklayer.

Gib: Short for plasterboard, often used in reference to interior wall linings.

Scaff: Short for scaffolding, the temporary structure used to support workers and materials during construction.

Renno: Short for renovation.

Smoko: A break during work, typically used to have a snack or cigarette.

 

Commonly Misunderstood Terms in Trades

Quote vs. Estimate

  • Quote: A fixed price given by a contractor for a job, which does not change unless the scope of work changes.
  • Estimate: An approximate cost provided, which can vary based on actual time, materials, and unforeseen issues.

Architect vs. Architectural Designer

  • Architect: A licensed professional trained to design buildings and oversee construction. Must pass rigorous exams and meet ongoing education requirements.
  • Architectural Designer: May design buildings but does not have the same licensing and qualifications as an architect. Often works under the supervision of a licensed architect.

Building Consent vs. Resource Consent

  • Building Consent: Permission from a local authority ensuring that construction meets the building code for safety, health, and durability.
  • Resource Consent: Required for projects that might affect the environment, land use, or community, such as noise, traffic, and pollution.

Carpenter vs. Joiner

  • Carpenter: Works on-site constructing frameworks, roofs, and general structural elements of a building.
  • Joiner: Works in a workshop creating detailed woodwork items like doors, windows, and stairs, which are then installed on-site.

Renovation vs. Remodel

  • Renovation: Restoring a building to a good state of repair, often focusing on updates and maintenance without major structural changes.
  • Remodel: Changing the structure and layout of a space, which may involve altering walls, plumbing, and electrical systems.

HVAC vs. Air Conditioning

  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Encompasses the entire system for maintaining indoor air quality and temperature control.
  • Air Conditioning: Specifically refers to the cooling aspect of HVAC systems.

Drywall vs. Plasterboard

  • Drywall: General term for interior wall materials.
  • Plasterboard: Specifically refers to a type of drywall made with a gypsum core.

Load-Bearing Wall vs. Partition Wall

  • Load-Bearing Wall: Supports the weight of the structure above it, essential for structural integrity.
  • Partition Wall: Divides spaces within a building but does not support structural weight.

Veneer vs. Laminate

  • Veneer: A thin layer of real wood applied to a core material for a high-quality finish.
  • Laminate: A synthetic material designed to look like wood or other surfaces, often more affordable and durable than veneer.

General Contractor vs. Subcontractor

  • General Contractor: Manages the overall construction project, coordinating various tasks and trades.
  • Subcontractor: Hired by the general contractor to perform specific tasks such as plumbing, electrical work, or painting.

Understanding these terms can help avoid confusion and ensure clear communication in construction and renovation projects.

Builder vs. Developer vs. Project Manager vs. Carpenter:

  • Builder: Constructs buildings and oversees the physical construction process.
  • Developer: Manages the financial and administrative aspects of property development, hiring builders for construction work.
  • Project Manager: Coordinates all aspects of a construction project, including scheduling, budgeting, and liaising with contractors and clients.
  • Carpenter: Specializes in woodwork, constructing frameworks, cabinets, and other wooden structures.

Understanding these terms will help homeowners and renovators better navigate the complexities of home improvement projects, ensuring they use the correct terminology and seek appropriate permissions and professionals for their needs.

When planning a home renovation, understanding key renovation terms is crucial. This glossary of essential renovation terms will guide you through your project, making the process smoother and more efficient. Whether you’re dealing with contractors, architects, or designers, knowing these terms will ensure clear communication and successful project outcomes.

 

 

 


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    WRITTEN BY SUPERIOR RENOVATIONS

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