Do you have a question on home renovations, building process, how do a manage my renovation? Here’s a list of some Frequently Asked Questions and answers that homeowners typically ask us. If there’s something else you’d like us to answer, or you want talk to us about your renovation, please get in touch. You can contact us or call + (64) 273002345,.
There are a few steps you can take early on in the building process to combat your build going over budget and over the time frame. These are things like hiring a construction company with project management services that will be able to help keep your costs down, using a good quality certified builder to build your project right the first time, try making all major decisions as early as possible to keep unforeseen costs to a minimum and plan as realistically as possible allowing for contingency just in case.<
Can I purchase my own bathroom wares? the answer is Yes. However, they would need to be delivered at specific times during the project. During the early planning stages of the project we discuss the pros and cons of purchasing the bathroom wares yourself. Our preference is to make the design decisions together and we would purchase the item though our suppliers, therefore any issues during the project are easily managed.
At MST Building and Renovations the construction duration for a full bathroom renovation project is about 15 working days (three weeks). It may take longer if remedial or structural work is required. Also, if council consent is required, this will extend the timeline.
What is an indicative estimate? An indicative estimate is an estimate that provides a rough cost projection used for budget planning purposes in the early stages of concept development of a project.
Renovating a bathroom does not require a building consent unless there are alterations to the buildings structure such as removal of a wall, or the addition of a shower, hand basin, and toilet to a bathroom or ensuite, as these bathroom fixtures are additional to those already existing in the home.
Yes, you can undertake the none structural demolition yourself. However, ripping out old tiles, lining and bathroom wares isn’t fun. You have to be mindful to avoid damaging pipes or electrical work. However, it will save you about $1,000 but be aware, it can cost you more if something goes wrong.
Yes, structural work, additions, alterations to your home require a building consent. A building consent is written approval from the council to carry out specific building work on a specific site. Typically, you will require an architect and engineer to assist you with your building consent request for a house extension.
You will need a building consent, and possibly a resource consent, for additions and alterations, depending on the rules in your area.
Generally it is recommended that you do need to move out during renovations, as it can mean extended delays as the MST | Renovations team work around you. Also there is the Health & Safety requirements. However, it does depend on the extent of the renovations. This is something that can be discussed at the initial consultation.
You can find out which zone your house is in by using Auckland Councils Geomap. Just enter you address in Geomap (https://unitaryplanmaps.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/upviewer/).
Building consent – From 31 August 2020, some building projects no longer need a building consent. Before starting any work it is important that you check with your local council during the early stages of your planning. The following is taken from Building Performance NZ website:
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. Options include:
Yes you can make changes during the renovation . We would discuss the changes with you to. If the requests incur additional labour time and/or material costs, this request will be treated as a variation to the contract. All variations will be cost evaluated and presented to you for approval and sign-off using our cloud based construction system – Buildertrend. No variation work would be undertaken until variation is approved/signed-off.
Yes, definitely. We cannot emphasise enough how important insurance is for your renovation project. Your budget should always include an allowance for building insurance to safeguard your investment. We recommend insurance being in place from day one for the sake of your project reaching its completion no matter what may happen as the process takes place.
The time period of the completion of the second storey house extension build varies depending on the size and scope of the project. MST Building and Renovations Auckland have project management processes in place to ensure high levels of efficiency in completing each stage of a job and strive to meet deadlines as best as possible.
Yes there is cost difference between building a ground floor house extension and building a second storey house extension. The difference is between 40 – 60%. This difference equates to the additional structural engineering and additional work that is required to accommodate a second level on your home.
This can vary depending on the building company and whether they are willing to take on jobs that haven’t been drawn up or consented yet. Most companies do not provide this service and typical practice is to involve the contractor’s services once the design has been consented by the council and is ready to be priced by a contractor. At MST we are more than happy to be involved as early as you require, including at the beginning of the process where we engage with the architect. This way we can give you a realistic budget as early as possible. Once your plans have been drawn up we can help with lodging the consent with Auckland City Council.
Selecting a good architects with experience and knowledge of the scope of your project should be able to provide you with advice on everything from optimising living spaces, for a current home renovation, or for a new build, to choosing a reputable builder, creating detailed and accurate drawings and negotiating your building consent and sometimes your resource consent. At times the roles of both the Architect and the contractor can overlap, so ensuring that both your architect and your contractor are personable, contactable and forthcoming about all information will lead to a positive building process and outcome.
The project manager is key in managing the physical building process, managing staff and subcontractors, ordering materials and stock, liaising with clients, council and the architect, ensuring that the elements of the building process come together smoothly. He is the ‘one point of contact’ for the project. A project manager is extremely important in maintaining efficiency, flow and clear communication between all parties. At MST | Renovations our project manager understands the critical part they play in the management of timelines and budgets, which is why we offer this service to eliminate any uncertainty or confusion about who is responsible for what at varying stages of the build, ensuring that your project will be built on time and to your budget.
Yes, definitely. We cannot emphasise enough how important insurance is. Your budget should always include an allowance for building insurance to safeguard your investment. We recommend insurance being in place from day one for the sake of your project reaching its completion no matter what may happen as the process takes place.
There are a few steps you can take early on in the building process to combat your build going over budget and over the time frame. These are things like hiring a construction company with project management services that will be able to help keep your costs down, using a good quality certified builder to build your project right the first time, try making all major decisions as early as possible to keep unforeseen costs to a minimum and plan as realistically as possible allowing for contingency just in case.
Yes, depending on the project. We’ve had plenty of experience with families who have chosen to do so even in the case of major home renovations. With the right amount of team management, site safety and proper systems and timelines in place, there’s no reason why you can’t live on site.
Yes, it is important to know about the consent process as a building consent is usually needed before a project can begin. The same basic consent and inspection process applies whether building a new home, commercial building or structure and is also subject to renovations, additions, alterations and demolition. It is the architect’s job to draw the plans for the project. Comprehensive plans are required to submit to the building consent authority when applying for a building consent. The cost for a building consent will largely depend on the detail of the plans and specifications of your project. Below are some examples of work that requires a building consent:
The building consent authority will set out the inspections that are necessary on the building consent. These inspections will come at certain times during the project. At MST we employ our own quality assurance checklist that prepares us for these inspections and ensures we have not missed anything.
At the end of the project a final inspection for a code compliance certificate (CCC) is required. A CCC is issued after the final inspection of the finished building project and confirms that the building consent authority is satisfied the completed building work complies with the building consent.
The Licensed Building Practitioner logo puts customers at ease by letting them know the building practitioners they are engaging have been assessed as technically competent in their licensed field.
From 1 March 2012 building work (including design work) that relates to either the structure (load-bearing walls; foundations etc) or moisture penetration (roofs; cladding etc) of homes including small to medium sized apartments will be classified as Restricted Building Work.
Restricted Building work may only be carried out by competent licensed building practitioners. Additionally it will be an offence for an unlicensed person to carry out or supervise restricted building work and it is also an offence to knowingly engage an unlicensed person to carry out restricted building work.
You can rest assured knowing that at MST | Renovations | | Auckland we are fully licensed building practitioners, guaranteeing you that we are technically competent and experts in our field. Whenever you undertake any new building work always hire a licensed building practitioner.
Looking to know more about MST, check out ‘About Us’.
You will need a building consent, and possibly a resource consent, for additions and alterations, depending on the rules in your area.
The time period of the completion of the second storey build varies depending on the size and scope of the project. MST Building and Renovations Auckland have project management processes in place to ensure high levels of efficiency in completing each stage of a job and strive to meet deadlines as best as possible.
You will need a building consent, and possibly a resource consent, for additions and alterations, depending on the rules in your area.
At MST Building and Renovations we pride ourselves on our design skills and our ability to produce high quality renovations which are sympathetic with your existing home.
Generally it is recommended that you do need to move out during renovations, as it can mean extended delays as the MST Building and Renovations team work around you. Also there is the Health & Safety requirements. However, it does depend on the extent of the renovations. This is something that can be discussed at the initial consultation.
The time period of the completion of the second storey build varies depending on the size and scope of the project. MST Building and Renovations Auckland have project management processes in place to ensure high levels of efficiency in completing each stage of a job and strive to meet deadlines as best as possible.
With so many options to select from and many decisions to make, MST Building and Renovations offers an interior design service that can assist you for all of the design choices.
You can find out which zone your house is in by using Auckland Councils Geomap. Just enter you address in Geomap (https://unitaryplanmaps.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/upviewer/).
Yes you can make changes during the renovation . We would discuss the changes with you to. If the requests incur additional labour time and/or material costs, this request will be treated as a variation to the contract. All variations will be cost evaluated and presented to you for approval and sign-off using our cloud based construction system. No variation work would be undertaken until variation is approved/signed-off.
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