How much does it really cost to renovate in New Zealand?

We were shocked at how many websites have popped up recently that claim to be able to tell you how much it costs to renovate in New Zealand. The true cost of renovation is not something that can be determined purely by the size of the room or chosen style. The cost to renovate in Auckland will be different to the cost of home renovations in Taranaki . Costs vary significantly depending on the fixtures chosen, materials used and most importantly which renovator you choose!

High Quality Bathroom Renovation

Even the experts disagree

Even some of the banks and the venerable BRANZ* have got into the act. But as leaders in the field, we weren’t surprised at all at the massive disparity between their “estimates”.

Let us show you what we mean.

We are often asked what a new kitchen costs in New Zealand. One industry player claims on their website that you should “put $25,000 to $35,000 aside to turn your kitchen into a practical and welcoming space.” However, another site referred through the *Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ) site put the cost at $15,000 - $25,000.
Compact Kitchen Renovation

Why the big difference in costs?

Obviously all kitchens aren’t created equal. We all have different expectations of style, design and functionality. The home’s market value plays a big part, too. A $120,000 kitchen may add real value to a villa in Auckland’s Herne Bay, where the average home price is now $2 million, but if you forked out that kind of money in your home in a remote part of the country, there’s little chance you’d recoup even a fraction of it in the increased value of the home.  
Basic Kitchen Renovation

We like this story from Gary Caulfield

A quantity surveyor, Gary says, “I’ve seen gold-plated taps worth $6,000 each, or you can have the same water coming out of a perfectly nice-looking $60 tap. It’s easy to get carried away.”


But at the same time, if you’re creating your dream bathroom or aiming at selling your high-end home, you may not want $60 taps. At Pzazz Building, we focus on listening to our customers and understanding their needs. This ensures that the cost of your renovation does not exceed the additional value it creates within your home.

New Ensuite Renovation

Renovating a house isn’t the same as building a new one

That’s because you don’t start with a blank slate. New home companies can generally give you an accurate price for construction, especially if you’re building on a flat site with unimpeded access. But the nature of renovating means that you often can’t predict what you’ll find when you pull out an old kitchen or bathroom. Bathrooms are particularly prone to rot or warping from leaking water. Older homes may need to be repiled. Replacing these defects can add 20 – 30% to a renovation.

That’s why we don’t like giving broad-brush estimates.
Renovation Cost Examples

You’ll never find something like this on our website

Our years of experience have taught us that providing a broad-brush estimate can give our customers false expectations. So we’ve come up with a better way. We’ll talk with you about your dreams and plans. That way, we’ll make sure we’re on the same page as you. Only when we feel we have an in-depth understanding of your goals and needs will we share our ideas and recommendations.  
Nice Simple Renovated Bathroom

It all starts with our free in-home consultation

As you will have gathered by now, we at Pzazz Building believe in the personal touch. Yes, if you phone us wanting an estimate or budget for the bank or your own purposes, we can give you a broad-brush estimate based on a series of questions designed to ascertain your goals, situations and plans. But we’d prefer to meet you in person, in your home, so we can achieve a true meeting of the minds. 


Contact us now for a free In Home Consultation by your local Pzazz Building owner.