The Best Time to Renovate in 2024

With November as a clear winner, we see reflected a common pattern of thinking about renovating throughout the year, making an enquiry and then getting work underway with the hopes the work will be finished and looking great for Christmas. Which works great for a lot of our customers and for some jobs the advantage of the better weather that time of year makes a big difference. But lets dig deeper into each type of renovation and if there is an optimal time of year for them.

A common mistake is waiting too late in the year to get outdoor renovations underway and some of the best weather is spent on having the renovations built – not enjoying them! We recommend to get in touch with your builder in winter or early spring to start the planning process and give yourselves plenty of time to get everything all finished in time for summer!

The big one! Extending your home is a big undertaking with an awesome pay off. Typically a home extension can be completed any time of year but better to avoid the cold and wetter months as adverse weather conditions can slow down work which ends up costing you money. An addition to your home is probably the most disruptive type of renovation so it’s important to also consider what impact it will have on your day-to-day life. Will you be able to live and work there while construction is underway? This may be a crucial factor in deciding the appropriate time.

These popular ‘one room renovations’ where you’re staying within your existing footprint are the type of jobs all builders love to see in the cold and wet winter months – with the work largely being indoors it makes sense in terms of comfort and job efficiency. Of course however these jobs can be done year round so again we encourage you to ask questions about how will this affect your day to day life while renovations are underway – nobody wants to get stuck cooking Christmas dinner in your temporary makeshift kitchen. Or likewise have a bathroom under construction whilst family is staying with you.

For a home, being reclad is a vulnerable time. We must remove all the existing cladding in order to replace it with new cladding and that middle bit where your house is undressed is the time where you really don’t want it to rain! So it's best to plan a home reclad for the first half of the year before the weather gets dicey. UNLESS you opt to tent your home for the reclad – this is where scaffolding is erected all around the house and covered in shrink wrap creating a cozy warm weatherproof jacket around it so to speak. While this has a not insignificant cost associated it will ensure your job runs smoothly and work can continue no matter the weather which in turn reduces costs and the length of the project. 

As I said in the intro; here at Pzazz we love to plan. Good planning plays a significant role in having an enjoyable and stress free project. Consider the 80/20 rule – 80% planning and 20% doing makes for a great renovation project.

So far we have mainly talked about the doing part, but its absolutely crucial to allow enough time to do the planning part beforehand. So let’s look at what this planning process involves and how much time to give yourself.

Finding a Builder
The first step and one of the most important is finding not just any builder, but the right builder for you. Be sure to research or ask for examples of previous work and testimonials from previous customers. It's also important they are somebody you feel you can openly and effectively communicate with and understands your goals.

Concept Design
You may be coming into this process knowing exactly how you want your new renovation to look and feel or you may just know what’s not working for you now but no idea how to improve it. Anywhere on this spectrum is totally normal – and all can benefit from investing in a concept design that ensures we fully understand your wants and needs, explore the options and come up with the best solution. A concept design can be a simple 2D plan drawing or a full 3D digital model that allows you to see in photorealistic quality how your renovation will turn out. Depending on the scope of your project and how many options your want to explore this process can take from 1 week to 2 months.

Consent Drawings & Applications
Depending on what type of renovations you are undertaking you may need a building consent and possibly even a resource consent. This process requires a draftsperson or architect to create and compile drawings and documentation that outlines the scope of the renovation and how it will be built in accordance with relevant building codes and district plans. Here at Pzazz we pride ourselves on providing in house drafting services with much faster turn around times than industry standard with competitive pricing. Depending on the complexity of your project it can take as little as 2 weeks or a couple months to complete and submit applications to your local council. The time it takes each council to review and accept applications can vary by location and time of year. This process may include some back and forth between your local council and your draftsperson. Its best to ask your draftsperson for an estimated timeframe between submission of application and acceptance.

Quoting / Securing Finance
Once your design is fairly locked in,  your builder can start preparing a quote. When reviewing a quote from your builder always ensure the following

·        Its clear and agreed upon what basis the contract is being undertaken

o  Fixed Price (unlikely in today’s market)

o  Quoted with Price Fluctuations

o  Charge Up

·        It's clear what is and what is not included

·        Are there any PC sums included – if so how come?

·        Breakdown of the claim/payment schedule

·        Details of builders experience, insurance and licensing

You can then use your quote to support your application for lending from the bank if needed. It’s a good idea to talk to your bank in the early stages also to get a ballpark figure for how much you will be able to borrow to avoid disappointment at the finish line.

If you’re ready to get the ball rolling on your renovation click here to get in touch to book your free in home consultation with your local Pzazz Design & Build home renovation specialist. We look forward to hearing from you!