Renovating in West Auckland

Home to stunning black-sand West Coast beaches, the native bush of the Waitakere Ranges, and many small townships including the charming Kumeu with its many wineries, the Waitakere region retains a wild and wonderful feel. There is great surf, an abundance of hiking trails (although the effect of the Kauri die back disease means that the forested areas of the Waitakere Ranges are closed off to protect these precious trees for the time being) and a selection of interesting foodie markets – and all this an easy commute away from the city.

Property Market

Generally speaking, housing is still relatively affordable in West Auckland although the market has been affected by the same increase in property prices that is observable across the rest of the city. One of the biggest draw cards across Auckland West is that there are still lots of larger sections available. Green Bay, Titirangi, Glen Eden and Henderson are some of the suburbs that are seeing an influx in young families keen to own a decent sized house and section, and enjoy the local lifestyle.

House styles

The types and styles of houses can vary greatly, with the typical home dating from the 1940s through to the 1970s. Dominic Hollands, Refresh Renovations specialist in the Waitakere region, believes it’s a great place to renovate and create a comfortable home for the family. “We work on many classic weatherboard houses as well as on 70s style homes,” he says. “Bathrooms and kitchen are usually tired in these houses, and in need of a proper update.”

Common Renovations

Full internal renovations are amongst the most popular renovation projects in the Waitakeres and West Auckland. “Many homeowners want to open up the kitchen and dining areas to create an open-plan layout,” says Dominic. “Often, kitchens and bathrooms need a makeover too, and a full internal renovation is a great way to improve the layout, create good indoor-outdoor flow, and consider an extension or a loft conversion if space is an issue.”

Regulations

Under the new Auckland Unitary Plan, council regulations are more generous in terms of site coverage, height to boundary restrictions, and other rules and regulations. Dominic says: “Extending a home is now an option for more people across West Auckland, and it makes sense to consider extending your living spaces when you plan on staying and living in the house for the next five to ten years.”

Climate Considerations

Full renovations are a great opportunity to insulate the walls of your home in a cost-effective way, especially considering the often wet and windy weather of the Waitakeres. While roofs and floors are often already insulated in houses across the region, it’s generally not that easy to get to the walls.

 

Project Management

With any renovation project, whether small or large, Dominic believes it’s key that budget and building design meet up: “The architectural design needs to match the budget, so that there are no surprises along the way. That’s one of the crucial steps to success, and something we focus on at Refresh. We discuss budget considerations early on, design the project accordingly and then carefully manage the complete renovation process so that there are no surprises at the end.”

If you are considering a home renovation, and you are located west of Auckland’s city centre anywhere from New Lynn to Riverhead, get in touch with the Refresh Renovations Waitakere team to find out what they can do for you.

Get in touch with Renovation Specialist in West Auckland and Waitakere

If you would like to discuss options and ideas for renovating in West Auckland, please use the enquiry form on this page to provide us with your contact details. We will get in touch with you at a time that suits you to discuss your project. If you would like to provide us with more information about your project, we have a more comprehensive enquiry form on our "Get in touch" page too.