WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU START
RENOVATING TO SELL
HOW DO I RENOVATE MY HOME TO SELL?
So, you’ve bought a home and want to renovate it, but you’re not quite sure where to start. Or maybe you’ve got a head full of great ideas, Pinterest boards bursting with inspiration, and a vision for your dream space, but no clue what comes next, then this guide is a good place to start..
OUR RENOVATIONS
My wife and I love renovating. We plan, concept design, project manage, and whenever we can, we’re right there on the tools bringing new ideas to life. We’ve tackled renovations big and small, worked across a range of budgets, and transformed every kind of space, from kitchens and bathrooms to outdoor living and entire floorplans. We’re constantly inspired by new trends and love nothing more than bringing fresh ideas to life. You can see the results below.
.png)
Renovating your home for resale is a balancing act between vision, strategy, and a healthy dose of common sense. Done well, it can help you maximise sale price, shorten time on the market, and make your home irresistible to buyers. Done poorly, it can eat your budget and create headaches. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing it right.
1. The Real “Why” Behind Renovating to Sell
Before you swing a hammer or pick up a paintbrush, pause and ask yourself: why are you renovating?
-
Is it to maximise your sale price?
-
To make the property more appealing in a competitive market?
-
Or to resolve issues that might deter buyers?
Experts like Refresh Renovations and Licensed Renovations emphasise that renovating to sell isn’t about doing the biggest or most expensive project. It’s about doing the right renovations, the ones that genuinely add value, appeal to buyers, and suit your local market.
2. Setting Renovation Priorities: What NZ Buyers Actually Want
Not every improvement gives you a strong return on investment, so spend your renovation dollars where they count. Based on local agents’ insights, buyer surveys, and market data from REINZ and Interest.co.nz, here’s what Kiwi buyers value most:
-
Kitchens: Buyers expect modern, functional kitchens. Durable benchtops, clever storage solutions, and updated appliances can make a big difference. Mid-range, high-quality options like ABI Interiors hit the sweet spot between cost and wow factor.
-
Bathrooms: Clean, contemporary bathrooms with fresh fixtures, clever storage, and neutral palettes boost buyer confidence. Even small upgrades like new taps, mirrors, or lighting can make a bathroom feel brand new.
-
Flow and Layout: Open-plan living is highly sought after. Families and younger buyers love spaces that connect kitchens, dining, and living areas. Removing awkward walls or repositioning rooms can dramatically improve how a home feels.
-
Outdoor Living: Decks, patios, and landscaped gardens extend your living space. Buyers are looking for outdoor areas for entertaining, relaxing, and family life.
-
Modern Conveniences: Energy-efficient heating, double glazing, ample storage, and smooth indoor-outdoor flow are increasingly expected.
Remember, buyer preferences can vary by region and suburb. Consulting with local agents ensures your renovations match what buyers in your area actually want. Pro tip: Don’t over-personalise. While you may love bold colours or unique themes, neutral tones appeal to the broadest audience. A well-styled, flexible home allows buyers to imagine themselves living there.
Royal Oak
Our First Attempt
Our first renovation was a 1920s bungalow, untouched and unloved since the 1970s, complete with all the classic décor norms of that era. Think Axminster carpets, vinyl in every direction, lowered ceilings, pelmets, and layers of wallpaper clinging to every wall. The place needed a complete reinvention. The plan was to completely overhaul the whole home while seamlessly connecting it to a detached oversized shed that was added sometime in the last 50 years. I actually put pencil to paper to create the original sketch and years later, the finished house wasn't too far off that first draft.
The result? A light, bright, and fresh family home with white picket fences, open living spaces, and the perfect backyard for pets and play. We turned a 2 bed, 1 bath, 1 living, into a 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 living, but after more than 7 years in one spot, a growing family meant it was time to move on.
Selling privately did not go to plan. We produced an amazing campaign, which was praised by many agents in the marketplace, but contrary to the belief of many that selling privately is a great option, buyers did not want to engage with the sale. Even after making it to the front page of the NZ Herald, we still didn't find the right buyer for us.
Lessons learnt:
-
Selling privately is harder than you think, and you might be leaving money on the table.
-
Sometimes the market lift does all the work. Know where your gains are really coming from. Is your hard work doing the heavy lifting, or is it your time in the market. .
-
You will always go over budget, even when you plan to go over budget.
3. Financing Your Renovation: What the Experts Recommend
Renovations can be expensive, and having the right financing is critical. Options include:
-
Specialist property development loans: Providers like Squirrel offer flexible options for projects of all sizes.
-
Traditional mortgages: Banks often lend based on the expected finished value, not just current property worth, so detailed plans and valuations are essential.
-
Hidden costs: Don’t forget council charges, resource consents, insurance, design fees, and unexpected repairs. Build these into your budget.
-
Alternative funding: The “Bank of Mum and Dad” is a very real option for many Kiwis. Borrowing from family can be cost-effective and flexible, but always formalise agreements to avoid conflicts.
Pro tip: Get professional plans drawn up, and consider a registered valuation based on the finished property. This can strengthen finance applications and give you a clear picture of the expected ROI.
4. Choosing Trades, Materials, and Design
The devil is in the details. Choosing the right tradespeople, materials, and design elements can make or break your renovation:
-
Trades: Licensed, insured, and experienced professionals are essential. Check reviews and ask for references. Licensed Building Practitioners are a good place to verify credentials.
-
Materials: Balance quality, durability, and style. Mid-range options like ABI Interiors offer high-quality finishes without blowing the budget. Sometimes spending a little more upfront saves money later on maintenance or replacements.
-
Design: Keep resale in mind. Neutral palettes, timeless designs, and flexible spaces appeal to the broadest audience. Avoid overly personal choices that might narrow buyer interest.
Document agreements, get quotes in writing, and create a project timeline to stay on track.
Grey Lynn
A Rewarding Renovation
We put all of the above into practice for our second renovation, fixing awkward layouts, enhancing indoor-outdoor flow, and updating bathrooms and the kitchen. The result blew us away.
This project was another 1920s character home in Grey Lynn. While completely move in ready, it was rough around the edges, with some strange layout choices begging to be reimagined, and a deck as uninspiring as a cardboard box.
We updated the kitchen and bathrooms, reconfigured the upstairs layout to make better use of the space, added a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite to the master bedroom, and brought the whole home into harmony with modern family living.
The outcome was a beautifully restored dual-level villa where timeless charm meets thoughtful design. With bright open-plan living, generous bedrooms, stunning bathrooms, lush tropical landscaping, and a studio out back, it became a hidden sanctuary right in the heart of the city.
Our original plan was not to sell, but when we saw prices rising rapidly, we knew the boom wouldn’t last forever. We managed to sell pretty close to the peak of 2021, and when we did, our hard work combined with the rocket-powered market uplift resulted in an over-sized return.
Lessons learnt:
-
Location, location, location. No matter how much you renovate, being in the right location is key to attracting buyers and achieving a great result.
-
You can time the market. Just don't get sucked into the hype.
5. Legal and Compliance Considerations
NZ’s building codes and resource consent rules are strict and constantly evolving. Always check:
-
Building.govt.nz – for consent, code compliance, and inspection requirements
-
Your local council’s website for resource consent and planning information
Consulting the council early helps avoid costly delays and fines. A fully consented renovation protects your investment, reassures buyers, and increases sale confidence. Missing consents or a Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) can cost thousands to fix later.
Pro tip: Some minor cosmetic upgrades, like repainting or replacing fixtures, often don’t need consent, but structural changes almost always do.
Waiake
Marketing Makes the Difference
After COVID in the city, our family of seven (plus the dog) wanted to escape to the beach. With the settlement date on Sackville Street fast approaching and just 11 days left before we had to leave, we found, did our due diligence, bid on, and secured the perfect house, just a two-minute walk from the little-known North Shore gem, Waiake Beach.
Our Beach Road project was move-in ready and barely 20 years old but lacked outdoor living, so that was the goal.
We created an epic outdoor entertaining zone with a pool, multiple lounging and dining areas, and all-day sun. Inside, we corrected odd layout choices, added walk-in wardrobes and ensuites, modernised bathrooms and kitchen, and refreshed the colour palette to a light, coastal vibe. The final result didn’t just feel like a home, it felt like a holiday home 30 mins from the heart of the city.
But the family wanted to be back in the city, and selling at the bottom of the market came with its challenges. We had to get really, really creative to get people through the door and our marketing did just that. From highlighting the quality of the renovation in fresh and unexpected ways to finding new angles to get attention online, we worked hard to make the property stand out. The campaign performed so well it earned a place in OneRoof’s Top 10 listings for 2024, which gave the home extra visibility and credibility. In fact, the eventual buyer first came across the property in an article picked up across the Tasman in Sydney, a perfect example of how the right strategy can open doors far beyond the local market.
Lessons learnt:
-
What’s perfect for you might not tick all the boxes for others. Know your market, and strike a balance between what you want, what will sell, and what local buyers are looking for.
6. Timing and Market Strategy
When is the best time to renovate and sell? Timing can make a difference, but it’s just one part of the equation.
Two levers you control:
-
Present a clear point of difference — e.g., indoor-outdoor flow, a turnkey kitchen/bathroom refresh.
-
Launch when buyer demand is strong. Spring to early summer is often ideal, but quality presentation can outperform seasonality.
Time in the market vs timing the market:
-
Time in the market:
-
Pros: Allows careful renovation, flexibility to wait for demand, capital growth potential.
-
Cons: Ongoing holding costs (interest, rates, insurance), risk of market downturn, opportunity cost.
-
-
Timing the market:
-
Pros: May sell faster and at premium, reduced holding costs.
-
Cons: Hard to predict, rushing renovations/consents can hurt quality, buyers may be cautious in cooling weeks.
-
Practical tips for NZ sellers:
-
Match the season to your USP: outdoor living photographs in summer; cosy interiors with heating, double glazing, and natural light in winter.
-
Don’t launch half-baked: finishing the last 10% (snag list, landscaping, styling) pays off in perception and price.
-
Use data: track local days-on-market, clearance rates (REINZ), and model hold vs sell (Sorted).
-
Plan lead times: design, consents/CCC, trades, and materials can add months. Factor this into your listing date.
-
Quality beats calendar: a beautifully presented home often outperforms a mediocre property launched “on time.”
Bottom line: Use the market, but don’t be ruled by it. Nail presentation, lean on data, and choose a launch window that showcases your home’s strengths.
Grey Lynn 2.0
A Mediterranean Muse That's Still in Progress
Back in Grey Lynn for ease of commuting and the city living we love so much, we found a 1950s Art Deco home, a unique canvas needing a full top-to-bottom renovation to fix layout and quirks typical of the era. It has issues a plenty, but we are painstakingly fixing, removing, or rebuilding each one.
It’s still a work in progress, but with every lime-washed wall, soft archway, and additions of warm muted tone, we’re slowly bringing Greece to Grey Lynn, one curve at a time.
This is what we bought in 2024. It's not for the faint hearted,
Final Thoughts: Renovate Wisely, Sell Confidently
Renovating to sell is as much about strategy and understanding your market as it is about tools and materials. Every decision should be weighed against your budget, timeline, and local market preferences, with a focus on value-adding upgrades, keeping numbers tight, and seeking professional advice when needed.
By learning from the best NZ experts, tapping into community wisdom, and applying lessons from real renovations, you can approach your project with confidence, creativity, and clarity. With realistic expectations and a clear plan, renovating to sell becomes more than creating a beautiful home, it’s about achieving a strong return and making your next move a confident one.
RENOVATION ADVICE??
If you need a bit of help, a few fresh ideas, or just a sounding board to talk it all through, get in touch. I’m always happy to chat.