Renovations & Extensions

Renovation costs vary more than new builds, because every existing house brings its own unknowns - structure, weathertightness, and what's behind the linings. Substantial renovations and extensions in Wellington often cost more per square metre than equivalent new-build work once demolition, structural upgrades and matching-in are counted. That's why we establish a target budget at feasibility and test the design against a Quantity Surveyor's estimate before documentation begins - so the number you plan around is real, current, and specific to your house.

Almost all structural renovations and extensions need building consent from council. Resource consent is only required where the work breaches district plan rules - common Wellington triggers include character precinct controls on pre-1930s houses, recession planes on steep sites, and site coverage limits. Some minor work is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. We assess exactly what your project needs at feasibility stage, before you commit.

Yes, character work is a part of our practice. We modernise villas and bungalows while respecting their original architecture, and we navigate character precinct and heritage rules regularly. Rongopai Reno, winner of a 2026 NZIA Local Architecture Award for Housing - Alterations and Additions, is a recent example.

It depends on the house. Renovation usually wins where the structure is sound, the character is worth keeping, or planning rules favour the existing building envelope. A rebuild can make sense where foundations or structure are compromised, or the existing layout fights everything you want. Our feasibility assessment weighs both honestly before you spend serious money on either.

Yes. We can offer a focused feasibility assessment at Pre-Design - what your house and site can deliver, consent triggers, and a realistic budget range - as a standalone first step. From there you can engage us for design and consenting only, or the full service through to construction observation. Scope and fees are confirmed in writing before design begins.

As a guide: design and consenting typically takes 6–9 months depending on scope, complexity, and council timeframes, and construction a further 6–12 months. We map the full programme with you at the start.

Sometimes. Smaller and staged renovations can often be sequenced around you; full reconfigurations usually mean moving out for part of the build. We design the staging with your builder early so you know what to plan for.