How to plan a home renovation or commercial renovation

Thinking about renovating your home or business? Here’s where to start

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A renovation is an exciting project. You might be thinking about upgrading your home to better suit your lifestyle or improving a business space to work more efficiently.

But while it might start out exciting, if you don’t plan it properly, it can quickly turn into a stressful, expensive headache.

Taking the time to get clear on your goals, budget, and timeline will save you a lot of frustration down the track.

As home and business renovation experts, we’ve worked with clients on hundreds of projects. Here’s our step by step guide to making sure your project stays exciting, minimises the stress and stays on budget.

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Step 1 – Define your home or business renovation goals

Before you call a builder or start looking at paint colours, take some time to really think about what you need to achieve from your renovation.

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What do you want to achieve with your renovation?

Are you adding space, making the layout more practical, or giving your home or business a fresh new look?

Maybe you need extra bedrooms, a bigger kitchen, or a more welcoming reception area. Knowing your main goals will help guide all your decisions.

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Home renovations vs. business renovations – what’s different?

A home renovation is all about comfort, personal style, and making life easier. Or, you might be wanting to add value to your home in anticipation of a sale.

A business renovation needs to focus on function, efficiency, and creating a space that works for staff and customers. Think about how the space is used daily and what improvements will have the biggest impact.

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Future-proofing your home or commercial renovation

It’s easy to get caught up in what you need right now, but will your renovation still work for you in five or ten years?

If your family might grow or your business might expand, plan for flexibility so you don’t outgrow your new space too soon.

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Step 2 – Set a realistic budget for your renovation

No one likes talking about money, but it’s one of the most important parts of planning a renovation. A realistic budget will help you make smart choices and avoid nasty surprises later.

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Estimating home renovation and business renovation costs

The cost of a renovation depends on the size of the project, the materials you choose, and whether you need structural work.

A simple refresh, like repainting and replacing fixtures, will be much cheaper than knocking down walls or adding rooms.

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The hidden costs of home and business renovations

Some expenses don’t show up until the work starts, like fixing hidden damage or council fees. Then there’s the cost of renting somewhere to stay if your house is a construction zone or setting up a temporary workspace for your business.

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Always allow a buffer in your renovation budget

Even with the best planning, things don’t always go as expected. Set aside an extra 10–20% of your budget to cover anything unexpected—trust us, you’ll be glad you did.

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Step 3 – Get inspiration and plan your renovation design

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Now for the fun part—figuring out what you want your space to look like!

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Where to find home and business renovation ideas

• Start by checking out Pinterest, Instagram, and home improvement blogs.
• Visit showrooms, open homes, and commercial spaces similar to yours to see what works in real life.
• Keep a folder of ideas and inspiration to help guide your design and share with us.

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Balancing style and functionality in your renovation

A renovation should make your space more liveable or more efficient, not just prettier.

In a home, that might mean adding more storage, better lighting, or energy-efficient upgrades.

In a business, it could be improving customer flow, making workspaces more practical, or upgrading facilities.

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Choosing the best materials for your home or business renovation

Think beyond colour schemes, materials matter too. Some look great but need constant maintenance, while others are more durable and long-lasting.

We can help you make choices that suit your lifestyle or business needs.

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Step 4 – Find the right renovation professionals

Unless you’re a DIY expert, you’ll need professionals to help bring your renovation to life. Choosing the right team makes all the difference.

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Who do you need for a home or business renovation?

Depending on the project, you might need builders, architects, designers, or specialised tradespeople. Talk to experts early so they can help you refine your ideas and avoid costly mistakes.

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Questions to ask when hiring a renovation contractor

Before you sign a contract, check references, look at past work, and make sure they have the right qualifications.

A good contractor should be upfront about costs, timelines, and potential challenges. If they avoid questions or seem vague, walk away.

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DIY vs. hiring professionals for a renovation – what’s worth doing yourself?

Doing some of the work yourself can save money, but some jobs—like plumbing, electrical work, and structural changes—need a professional.

Cutting corners on these can lead to big problems later.

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As one of New Zealand’s leading renovation company our extensive team of qualified builders and full range of qualified tradesmen have been supporting our business and our clients since 2007 – we take great pride as a team in every renovation project to deliver an awesome result. Get in touch today to talk through your home or commercial renovation ideas.

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Step 5 – Make sure your renovation meets legal requirements

Some renovations need council approvals, and ignoring the legal side of things can cause expensive problems down the track.

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Check what permits you need for a home or business renovation

Rules vary depending on the type of work and where you live.

Make sure you check local requirements before starting. If you’re unsure, we can help guide you through the process.

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Avoid common legal mistakes in renovations

Skipping permits or hiring unqualified tradespeople might seem like an easy way to cut costs, but it can lead to fines, insurance issues, and even problems when you try to sell your property.

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Step 6 – Create a renovation timeline and schedule

Having a clear timeline will help keep your project on track and minimise disruptions.

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How long does a home or business renovation take?

A small renovation like a bathroom refresh might take a few weeks, while a major remodel could last months.

Be realistic about timeframes, and expect a few delays along the way.

When we talk about your project, we’ll help you create a realistic timeline for your renovation.

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How to minimise disruptions during a renovation

If you’re renovating your home, think about whether you can live in it while work is happening or if you need to stay elsewhere.

For businesses, look at whether you can keep operating or if you need to shut down for a while.

Creating a project timeline can help you keep disruptions to a minimum.

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Managing delays in home and commercial renovations

Unexpected issues happen—bad weather, material shortages, or unforeseen repairs.

Build some flexibility into your schedule and keep in regular contact with your builder to stay on top of any changes.

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Step 7 – Get ready for your renovation to start

Once everything is booked in, it’s time to prepare for the work to begin.

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Setting up temporary living or workspaces

If your renovation affects key areas, you might need a backup plan. That could mean setting up a temporary kitchen in another room, moving into a rental for a few weeks, or creating a makeshift office space.

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Protecting your home or business during renovations

Renovations create dust, noise, and disruption. Cover furniture, pack away valuables, and set up barriers to keep construction mess from spreading.

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Communicating with your renovation team

Communication is one of our four company pillars (Trust, Authenticity, Communication and Knowledge). We’ll make sure you’re kept updated and informed so there are no surprises and you know what’s happening at every stage of your renovation project.

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Ready to start your home or business renovation?

A renovation is a big project, but if you plan it well, the results are worth it.

Take the time to set clear goals, budget properly, and work with experienced professionals to make the process as smooth as possible.

Thinking about renovating? Get in touch to chat about your plans—we’d love to help bring your ideas to life!

With franchisees throughout New Zealand, we’ll put you in touch with home and commercial renovation experts in your area.

Get in touch today to talk through your home or commercial renovation ideas.

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