Renovating your Auckland home? It’s exciting — and a little terrifying. One moment you’re dreaming about open-plan kitchens and better storage, the next you’re knee-deep in timelines, council forms, and wondering when your bathroom will have a toilet again.
That’s why we created this guide. It walks you through what actually happens in a full home renovation — week by week — so you know what to expect, when things happen, and how to stay sane during the process.
It’s based on real timelines we use with Auckland clients, taking into account the quirks of our villas and bungalows, local consent delays, and the ever-unpredictable weather.
Two Paths: With or Without Consent
Not every reno needs council sign-off — but many do. Here’s the basic split:
Path 1: You Need Consent — If you’re touching structure (removing walls, adding space, moving plumbing), the council needs to approve the work. That adds 4–8 weeks up front.
Path 2: No Consent Needed — If it’s more cosmetic (new kitchen, painting, flooring), you can usually get started faster.
Pro tip: Don’t guess. A good renovation company will tell you up front if consent is needed and handle the paperwork so you don’t have to spend hours on the Auckland Council website.
What Happens Each Week in a Full Home Renovation
Week 1: The Walkthrough & Wish List
We visit your home, hear your goals, and take notes. This isn’t just about layout or tiles — it’s about how you live and what’s not working. At the end of this, you should know your likely timeline, whether consent applies, and what your next steps are.
Week 2: Concepts & Cost Reality
The designer sketches early ideas while the quantity surveyor (QS) puts numbers to them. No surprises here — the goal is to match dream and budget before you get too attached to anything.
Week 3: Final Design & Contract
You pick fixtures, finishes, and the plan gets finalised. We give you a fixed price, and you sign the contract. If consent is needed, this is when we prep those drawings for submission.
Week 4: Council vs. Kickoff
If consent is needed, we submit to Auckland Council and start prepping behind the scenes. No consent? We’re on-site laying protection, booking trades, and starting early demo.
Weeks 5–8: Waiting (if Consent) or Working (if Not)
While Council reviews your application, we order gear, schedule trades, and prep. If you didn’t need consent, by now demo is underway, and the new structure is already taking shape.
Week 9-10: Construction Kicks Off (Consent Path)
Consent approved? Let’s go. We start demolition, structural work, and opening things up. You’ll start to see real change — and yes, there will be dust.
Week 10-11: The Bones Go In
Framing, beams, and any structural additions are built. Council does a framing inspection to make sure we’re following the plan.
Week 12: The Hidden Stuff — Plumbing & Electrical
Plumbers and sparkies rough in pipes and wires. We do a walkthrough with you to confirm light and power point locations. Plumbing gets inspected.
Week 13: Insulation & Wallboard
Walls get closed. Rooms feel like rooms again. This is a big milestone — and if your villa never had insulation, you’ll notice the difference right away.
Week 14-18: It Starts to Look Like Home
Flooring goes in. Cabinets get fitted. Paint goes on. Your chosen tiles, colours, and fittings begin to show up — and it all starts feeling real.
Week 19: Finishing Touches
Handles, trims, shelves, and a builder’s clean. We create a “punch list” of anything that’s not quite right. Final tweaks happen fast.
Weeks 20–21: Handover (and Big Smiles)
We walk you through your transformed space. You get all warranties, manuals, and project docs. The keys are yours again — only now, it’s the home you always wanted.
What About the CCC (Code Compliance Certificate)?
If your renovation required consent, the last step is getting your CCC. It’s official proof that the work was done to code and inspected properly.
Option 1: We handle it. We file the paperwork, talk to Council, and get it done.
Option 2: You do it. You can lodge it online with the docs we provide.
Either way, it’s straightforward when the work was done right.
Tips to Keep Things Sane
- Lock decisions early. The biggest delays come from late changes.
- Talk weekly. We check in every week so nothing gets missed.
- Expect hiccups. Especially in old homes. Build in a buffer.
- Take breaks. Living through a reno? Schedule weekends away.
- Pick a full-service team. With Add Value, design, budget, and build are all aligned — no surprises.
FAQs
Usually 12–20 weeks. If you need council consent, plan for 4–8 extra weeks up front.
If you’re changing structure or plumbing locations, yes. We’ll confirm that early.
Auckland Council aims for 20 working days, but allow 4–8 weeks to be safe.
Sometimes, but if it’s a big job, it’s usually easier (and healthier) to move out temporarily.
It happens. Good builders re-sequence work to keep things moving.
The Bottom Line
Renovating your home doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. When you know what’s coming and have a team that keeps you in the loop, the whole journey gets smoother.
At Add Value Renovations, we’ve helped hundreds of Auckland homeowners navigate this exact path. We manage design, budgeting, council consent, and construction — all under one roof. So instead of juggling multiple contractors and chasing down paperwork, you get one clear plan and a single point of contact.
Ready to see what your timeline could look like?
📘 Step 1: Download our Early-Stage Renovation Checklist
📞 Step 2: Book a free 15-minute call with our team
We’ll help you map out your project and know exactly what to expect, week by week.
