Choosing the right renovation builder is the single most important decision you’ll make for your project. The wrong choice can cost you tens of thousands of dollars, months of delays, and enormous stress. The right builder makes the whole experience significantly smoother.

These 25 questions help you compare builders on the things that actually matter — not just price. Ask them at your first meeting. Their answers will tell you a great deal about how they operate.

Licence and Insurance (Questions 1–5)

These are non-negotiables. No reputable builder will hesitate on any of them.

1. Are you a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)? Any licensed building work in New Zealand must be done or supervised by an LBP. Verify their licence number on the MBIE register — don’t just take their word for it. Red flag: hesitation, vague answers, or inability to provide a licence number.

2. Are you a registered Master Builder? Master Builders are assessed for financial stability, workmanship and complaint history. Membership comes with access to the Master Build Guarantee. Good answer: “Yes, here’s our membership number.”

3. Do you carry public liability insurance? This protects you if something goes wrong on your property. Ask for a current certificate of insurance. Red flag: no insurance or expired certificate.

4. Do you carry contract works insurance? This covers the work in progress — materials, labour and the build itself — against damage, theft and unforeseen events. Good answer: “Yes, it covers the full contract value.”

5. Who applies for building consents? On any consented work, confirm upfront who is responsible for lodging and managing the consent process. Red flag: “We’ll sort it out as we go.”

Pricing and Contract (Questions 6–10)

These questions protect your budget. The difference between fixed-price and cost-plus contracts is significant — understand it before you sign.

6. Is your quote fixed-price or cost-plus? Fixed-price means you know exactly what you’re paying. Cost-plus means you pay the builder’s costs plus a margin — your final bill is open-ended. Red flag: cost-plus with no cap.

7. What’s included in the price — and what isn’t? Ask explicitly what is excluded. Common exclusions: council consent fees, geotechnical surveys, carpet, landscaping. Good answer: a clear written schedule of inclusions and exclusions.

8. How do you handle variations? Variations are changes to the original scope. Every builder encounters them — what matters is their process. Good answer: “All variations are documented and priced before work proceeds. Nothing changes without your written sign-off.”

9. What’s your payment schedule? Payments should be tied to milestones — foundation, framing, gib, completion. Red flag: large upfront deposits or requests for payment ahead of completed work stages.

10. Do you provide a Master Build Guarantee? This gives you up to 10 years’ protection on workmanship and materials and is transferable when you sell. Good answer: “Yes, we register every project with Master Builders.”

Project Management (Questions 11–15)

11. Who will be my main point of contact during the build? You need to know who to call when something comes up. Red flag: “You can just come to site.”

12. How often will we get progress updates? Regular communication prevents surprises. Good answer: “Weekly site updates, and you can call me directly any time.”

13. What’s your current build schedule and availability? A builder who can start immediately when you’re still finalising plans may have capacity for a reason. Good answer: realistic lead times with an explanation of their current workload.

14. How do you manage council inspections? For consented work, your builder should coordinate all inspections with Auckland Council. Red flag: “That’s your responsibility.”

15. Can I visit the site during the build? You should be able to visit your own property. Good answer: “Yes — we ask for 24 hours’ notice so we can arrange it safely.”

Their Team and Subcontractors (Questions 16–20)

16. Who does the actual work — your own crew or subcontractors? Both models can work well. What matters is accountability. Good answer: “We manage and quality-check everything, regardless of who’s on tools.”

17. Are your subcontractors licensed where required? Plumbing and gasfitting, electrical work and drainlaying all require licensed tradespeople. Red flag: “Our guys handle everything.”

18. Have you worked with these subcontractors before? Long-term relationships between builders and trades generally mean better communication and quality control. Good answer: “We’ve worked with most of our subs for several years.”

19. Can I see examples of similar completed projects? Ask specifically for projects of a similar type and scale to yours — not just their best work. Good answer: “Yes — here are three similar projects you can look at.”

20. Can I speak to a recent client? A confident builder will provide references without hesitation. Red flag: “I don’t want to bother my clients.”

Completion and After-Build (Questions 21–25)

21. How do you define practical completion? This is the point at which the project is deemed finished and the final payment is due. Make sure the definition is clear in the contract. Good answer: “When the snag list is signed off and the CCC is applied for.”

22. What’s your process for snag items? Snag items are minor defects identified at the final walkthrough. Good answer: “We create a written snag list and fix everything before we ask for final payment.”

23. What warranties do you provide on your work? Beyond the Master Build Guarantee, ask about their own defect liability period. Good answer: “12 months defect liability, plus the Master Build Guarantee.”

24. Who do I contact if something goes wrong after completion? Good answer: direct contact with the builder, not a generic support email.

25. Do you help manage the Code Compliance Certificate process? For consented work, the CCC is your legal confirmation that the work meets building code. Good answer: “Yes — we coordinate the final inspections and manage the CCC process for you.”

Download the Full Guide

The PDF version includes space to record each builder’s answers side by side — making comparisons much easier. Download it free below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I verify a builder’s LBP licence?

Go to lbp.govt.nz and search by name or licence number. The register is public and shows the licence class (which types of work they’re licensed for), the current status, and any disciplinary actions. Do this before your first meeting — not after you’ve signed a contract.

Is it normal for a builder to ask for a large upfront deposit?

A reasonable deposit to cover materials procurement — typically 10–20% — is normal. Requests for 30–50% upfront, before significant work has started, are a red flag. Your payment schedule should be tied to clearly defined milestones, not to the builder’s cash flow needs.

How much does a home renovation cost in Auckland?

Kitchen renovations typically run $30,000 – $120,000+. Bathroom renovations $20,000 – $60,000. Full home renovations $150,000 – $500,000+. Home extensions from $120,000 – $300,000+. These are broad ranges — the only way to get an accurate number is a detailed fixed-price quote from a QS-backed builder.

What’s the difference between an LBP and a Master Builder?

An LBP (Licensed Building Practitioner) is a government licence certifying that a tradesperson can legally carry out restricted building work. A Master Builder is membership of a professional association (Master Builders NZ) that provides quality assessment, dispute resolution, and access to the Master Build Guarantee. The best builders hold both. Add Value Renovations is both LBP-licensed and a registered Master Builder.

Should I get multiple quotes for my renovation?

Yes — but compare scope, not just price. Three quotes that price different scopes aren’t comparable. Ask each builder to price the same detailed specification document. Cheapest rarely means best value in renovation — a lower quote often means excluded items, cheaper materials, or a builder who plans to recover margin through variations.

About Add Value Renovations

Add Value Renovations is a Newmarket-based design-and-build renovation company with over 200 completed Auckland projects. We’re Master Builders, LBP Licensed, and Gold Award 2025 winners. Every project includes a fixed price and a Master Build Guarantee.

Want to see how we answer these questions? Get in touch or call 09 393 5658.