With our extensive experience in the industry we are able to pass on to our clients many building tips which can add value to their project and/or save on costs.

We subscribe to many trade organisations and publications to assist us with current building products and processes and also continually keep ourselves updated with new products, systems and regulations.

Leaky Buildings

If you identify that your home or building is a leaky home, it is important to rectify the problems in the correct manner.  If the required work is not carried out by a qualified tradesman, there could be repercussions causing future problems.

We have wide experience with assisting clients with bringing their homes up to the required standard, including re-cladding buildings and incorporating the necessary wall cavities to comply with today’s regulations.  When the work is complete you can feel secure in the knowledge that the building is weathertight and the problems have been remedied once and for all.

We work with design and engineering professionals and with the local council to ensure the work is up to new regulations.  The necessary Building Consent, Producer Statements and Code of Compliance Certificate can all be arranged by us on your behalf, and the work carried out in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Renovation Tips – 2022

A large part of our business is carrying out alterations and additions to existing homes and commercial buildings.

Residential Homes

There are many important things to consider when planning home renovations.  It is essential that the existing and the new parts of the house fit together in a way which looks good, meets new building regulations and is cost effective.  In addition, it is important to be aware of supply chain issues or changes to regulations and allow yourself flexibility around products and design solutions to ensure your project is finished in a timely manner.

If alterations and renovations involve restricted building work, they must be carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioner.  You can read more about Licensing and Restricted Building Work at www.building.govt.nz.

There is now a building regulation requiring wall cavities behind exterior cladding.  However, where the existing cladding has been performing satisfactorily, there may not be a need to install cavities to existing parts of the house.

Asbestos – many homes had asbestos materials incorporated into them in the past.  If the alterations to your home are going to affect any existing asbestos material this must be identified at the beginning of the project.  The asbestos must be removed and disposed of by registered contractors and in accordance with strict regulations.

Some materials incorporated into existing homes are no longer available unless they are tailor made, which can be cost prohibitive.  There are often ways of mixing old and new materials so that these costs can be avoided or minimised, as much as possible.  This is where an experienced builder and designer can examine the make-up of the building and give informed advice to the home-owners.

When carrying out renovations it is a good time to look at the energy efficiency of your home and how it complies with the current Building Code.  In fact, to obtain a building consent for some alteration projects the design will have to comply with Building Code Clause H1 – energy efficiency.  Many older homes have outdated and inefficient heating systems and inadequate insulation, so be sure to talk to your builder about this when planning a build or renovation.

An overall assessment of the whole house, or even just the area being renovated, is well worth it, and consideration can be given to:

– replacing interior wall linings and fitting insulation behind them, rather than just redecorating.

– fitting double glazed windows and doors.  These are not the costly, luxury item they were a few years ago.

– updating to more energy efficient heating and lighting.

The cost of upgrading items such as heating and lighting are often repaid over time with lower heating and lighting costs.  More importantly, a cost cannot be put on the health benefits of living in a warmer, dryer home.

Commercial Buildings

Most of the above tips also apply when altering and adding to a commercial building.

If there is a business operating out of the building during the construction period, we will put processes in place to allow this business to carry on uninterrupted.

It can also be a good time to upgrade the fire and security systems in the building.