Scope your project

Consider your reasons for renovating and decide whether the expense and disruption is justified. Plan the renovation project carefully. Think about how much you want to do yourself and how much will have to be done by professionals.

 Find out more:

• Why renovate?
• Renovations - Planning and designs
• Do-it-yourself - Taking a realistic view

Organise your finances

Work out a budget and figure out how much you need to borrow. Approach the bank or other lending organisation to arrange a mortgage. Review your budget if necessary. 

 Find out more:

• Money

Choose and brief the designer

There are different kinds of designers - conduct some research to work out which type will suit you best. Talk to a few candidates and make your choice. Work with them to come up with a design for the renovations. Gather ideas for materials, fixtures and fittings, and discuss them with your designer. 

 Find out more:

• Design and architects
• Materials and features
• Renovations & alterations - Planning & designs

Select a project manager

Decide whether to manage the project yourself or engage the architect, designer, builder or a professional project manager. 

 Find out more:

• Project management

Choose the builder and other tradespeople

Make a shortlist of builders, and ask them for tenders and quotes. Make sure they can work within your deadlines. Select the builder, then choose the subcontractors. 

 Find out more:

• Dealing with tradespeople
• Renovations and alterations - selecting tradespeople

Organise the contract

Get a written contract from your builder, including details of their guarantee, insurance, payment schedules and other important issues. 

 Find out more:

• The contract document

Get building and resource consents

Organise building and resource consents (if this hasn’t been done earlier). 

 Find out more:

• Building consents
• Renovations & alterations - Building and resource consents

Construction begins ...

When building starts, come to an arrangement with the builders about sharing your house while work is underway. Keep an eye on progress, pay the bills, and deal with any unexpected problems that crop up. Organise building inspections by the Council. Be aware of safety issues in the area where work is happening.

 Find out more:

• The building phase
• Building inspections
• When renovation exposes other problems
• Health and Safety in Employment Act

Upon completion ...

Arrange the final inspection for Building Code compliance and apply for a code compliance certificate. 

 Find out more:

• Final inspections
• Inspections for Building Code compliance

Tidy up loose ends

Make your own final inspection and liaise with the builder and/or council to resolve any outstanding issues. 

 Find out more:

• Final stages of construction
• Sorting out problems