DESKTOP
MOBILE
Before any work begins, it pays to get your paperwork sorted. Plans and permissions might not be the most exciting part of a renovation, but they are what keep your project legal and moving forward. Skip this step and you risk delays, extra costs, and headaches later. Here are five simple tips to get it right from the start.
1. Get drawings made
Clear drawings help you see what the finished space will look like and give trades something solid to work from. For smaller jobs, a draughtsperson can prepare detailed plans. For bigger changes, an architect or designer can help with layout and style. A builder or project manager can also create practical plans that guide the work.
2. Check if you need consent
Some changes require council approval, others do not. Work that affects plumbing, drainage, wiring, or the structure of the house usually needs permission. Adding a bathroom, moving walls, or changing a roofline are common examples. Even decks and fences have limits on how high they can go. It is best to ask your council early so you know what applies.
3. Bring in the right experts
If your project touches important parts of the house, like foundations or load-bearing walls, an engineer may need to check the plans. This makes sure the work is safe and meets building rules. Your builder or designer will let you know when this is needed.
4. Allow time for approval
Getting consent is not instant. Councils can take weeks or months to process an application, depending on the project. If you want work to start by a certain date, apply as early as possible. Waiting on approval is better than having builders ready to start but no paperwork in place.
5. Write down the scope of works
Even if your project does not need consent, it helps to have a written list of what will be done. This is often called a scope of works. It sets out the jobs, who will do them, and when. Having this in writing makes quotes easier to compare and keeps everyone on the same page.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Quick Guide: Planning a Renovation gives you the confidence to tackle every stage, from ideas to approvals. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Quick Guide: Planning a Renovation gives you the confidence to tackle every stage, from ideas to approvals. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we are joined by Shane Waaka, who is the kind of handyman every seller wants in their corner: practical, creative, and laser-focused on adding real value without blowing the budget. In this episode, Shane shares how he helps homeowners make cost-effective improvements that enhance street appeal and increase buyer interest, especially when time and budget are tight.
Before any work begins, it pays to get your paperwork sorted. Plans and permissions might not be the most exciting part of a renovation, but they are what keep your project legal and moving forward. Skip this step and you risk delays, extra costs, and headaches later. Here are five simple tips to get it right from the start.
1. Get drawings made
Clear drawings help you see what the finished space will look like and give trades something solid to work from. For smaller jobs, a draughtsperson can prepare detailed plans. For bigger changes, an architect or designer can help with layout and style. A builder or project manager can also create practical plans that guide the work.
2. Check if you need consent
Some changes require council approval, others do not. Work that affects plumbing, drainage, wiring, or the structure of the house usually needs permission. Adding a bathroom, moving walls, or changing a roofline are common examples. Even decks and fences have limits on how high they can go. It is best to ask your council early so you know what applies.
3. Bring in the right experts
If your project touches important parts of the house, like foundations or load-bearing walls, an engineer may need to check the plans. This makes sure the work is safe and meets building rules. Your builder or designer will let you know when this is needed.
4. Allow time for approval
Getting consent is not instant. Councils can take weeks or months to process an application, depending on the project. If you want work to start by a certain date, apply as early as possible. Waiting on approval is better than having builders ready to start but no paperwork in place.
5. Write down the scope of works
Even if your project does not need consent, it helps to have a written list of what will be done. This is often called a scope of works. It sets out the jobs, who will do them, and when. Having this in writing makes quotes easier to compare and keeps everyone on the same page.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a podcast featuring insights from experienced professionals and is intended for general information and inspiration only. While we aim to share valuable guidance, please seek personalised advice from qualified professionals before making decisions about your property, finances, or renovation plans.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Quick Guide: Planning a Renovation gives you the confidence to tackle every stage, from ideas to approvals. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Curious to see more practical advice from industry experts? Visit our Top Tips hub for quick, valuable insights shared by people who’ve been there, helping you plan smarter and avoid common mistakes.
Our Quick Guide: Planning a Renovation gives you the confidence to tackle every stage, from ideas to approvals. Join MyTrends for access to this and a full library of guides to help you on your property journey.
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Trends Property Insight Series, we are joined by Shane Waaka, who is the kind of handyman every seller wants in their corner: practical, creative, and laser-focused on adding real value without blowing the budget. In this episode, Shane shares how he helps homeowners make cost-effective improvements that enhance street appeal and increase buyer interest, especially when time and budget are tight.
[clean_tags]
Related Articles
Top tips for improving your kitchen without a full renovation
Not every kitchen needs to be ripped out to be transformed. In fact, some of the biggest improvements come from small, focused updates.
Top tips for setting your bathroom renovation budget
Plan with confidence, spend smart, and avoid costly surprises.
Top tips for choosing textiles when you’ve got pets or kids
From stain resistance to smart colour choices, discover how to pick fabrics that can handle kids, pets, and everyday mess while still looking great.
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Portfolios
View Industry Specialists
Askö
Furniture designed for life. Ethically made dining and living furniture and accessories by international and New Zealand designers where refined elegance meets sleek, contemporary form. Explore our extensive range of designer furniture via our Christchurch showroom or browse online.
Plumbing World
Plumbing World is New Zealand’s most prominent 100% Kiwi-owned national plumbing merchant, operating over 50 branches from Kerikeri to Invercargill. Plumbing World offers a wide range of bathroom, kitchen, laundry, heating, and hot water products, catering to trade professionals and homeowners.
Landmark Homes
Founding directors Paul and Debbie Clarke established Landmark Homes in 1977. Their vision was to offer “something more exciting” than the average home: a home that made creative use of space but was also beautiful to live in.
Poggenpohl
Poggenpohl is a premium German kitchen brand known for its innovation, timeless design, and precision craftsmanship, offering bespoke kitchen solutions that blend luxury with functionality.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.
Frontier Pools
We specialise in bespoke concrete swimming pool design and construction.
From infinity-edge showpieces to compact plunge pools in tight city spaces, we create concrete pools in any shape, size, or finish. The possibilities are endless and the quality is uncompromising.
With an expert in-house team, we manage every step, from concept to completion, delivering high-quality pools tailored to your space, style, and lifestyle.
Altus Window Systems
Altus is a leading New Zealand manufacturer and exporter of innovative designs in aluminium extrusions and extrusion-based building systems.
Altus is an award winning leader of the Aluminium extrusion and rolled product market. We specialise in design, manufacture, import and export of extrusion and rolled product, and distribute to both local and International markets.
We’re experts in creating solutions to integrate and partner with our customers across a wide range of sectors; marine, transport, architectural systems, window and door fabrication, mechanical engineering and agricultural industries.
Luxaflex®
Luxaflex® has been adding style and sophistication to New Zealand windows since the 1950s. Our design heritage is founded on innovation for today and tomorrow while taking care to celebrate the beauty in the details. To us, form and function are synonymous. Consistently pushing the boundaries, we are proud to be the market-leaders in daylight regulation and solar heat control solutions.
We combine unique design and practical features to create outstanding products – the essential ingredients for creating any discerning home.
Plantation Bamboo
Building or renovating your space? It’s not just about finding materials that match your values of sustainability and durability; you want them to look fantastic too. But with so many options out there, the search can be daunting.
That’s where Plantation Bamboo comes in.
We understand the challenges you face in navigating through countless choices. That’s why we specialise exclusively in bamboo. Our focus is to simplify your search for the perfect building material that not only meets your sustainability and durability criteria but also adds a touch of natural elegance to your space.
Mastercraft Kitchens
Founded in 1985, we are the largest group of independently owned and operated kitchen businesses in New Zealand, operating under a national banner. Our licensees have been carefully selected and are experts in their craft. We share an absolute passion for the design, manufacture and installation of high quality, well designed kitchens and other household cabinetry provided with personalised, friendly local service. Think national - be local.
Kitchen Studio
At Kitchen Studio we are very proud of the fact that we are been voted the most trusted kitchen brand in New Zealand for the ninth year running, and there are good reasons why more Kiwis trust us to transform their kitchen than anyone else.
Box™
Box isn’t like other New Zealand architecture firms; we’re a building design company responsible for every part of the process, from design to construction. If you’re looking for a team of designers or builders in Auckland, we can help.
The best architects know what it means to design both beautifully and practically, ensuring the best builders can, in turn, build more efficiently and collaboratively with you and the designer or architect.
Our consistent and attentive involvement of each team throughout the entire design-build process includes our in-house cost estimation team, who value-engineer projects to ensure the highest quality and value, while respecting your vision as our client.