When Selling Isn't an Option
Epsom Plaster Reclad + Second-Storey Extension 2023
A 15-year family home that had become quietly unsellable.
Lee’s family had lived in their Epsom plaster home for over 15 years. It was meant to be the setting for lasting memories. Over time it became something else: a home with widespread leaks, hidden water damage, and the kind of structural issues that make selling not really an option.
The brief from the architect was clear: full reclad, structural repair, and a second-storey extension above the existing garage for a new bedroom with ensuite — somewhere for guests and extended family to actually stay.
We came in to coordinate council, the engineer, the inspections, and the build itself — and make sure what got rebuilt would still be standing in another 30 years.
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From quietly unsellable to a modern, structurally-sound family home.
The old plaster came off. The damaged framing was reinforced and rebuilt. Vertical shiplap weatherboard went on — timeless, low-maintenance, and the kind of cladding that won’t fail again.
Above the garage, the new second-storey extension brought a fresh bedroom and ensuite into the home — proper functional square metres, not just patched-up old ones. Inside, the kitchen, bathroom, dining and living were brought up to match.
Before & After
Once the plaster came off, the damaged framing became the real story — and the real rebuild.
Vertical shiplap weatherboard, new second storey, and a home that looks (and feels) brand new.
Wondering what a renovation like this actually costs?
We’ve published our full Auckland renovation cost guide — real ranges by project type, what sits inside each investment level, and where the money actually goes. It’s how we open every client conversation.
- Realistic Auckland cost ranges by project type
- What sits inside good, better, best investment levels
- Where the money goes — room by room
- How design-and-build keeps your number fixed
Inside the finished home.
New second storey
New kitchen
Hexagon splashback
Dining room
Second-storey bedroom
Ensuite vanityLiving roomFive steps. Same process, every job.
The scope, in plain English.
A full reclad, structural rebuild and second-storey extension on a leaking Epsom plaster home — coordinated across architect, engineer, council, and trades.
Full Reclad
Stripped the failing plaster cladding back to framing. Exposed and repaired the damaged structure underneath — mould, rot, and compromised timber all addressed before any new cladding went near it.
Vertical Shiplap Weatherboard
New vertical shiplap weatherboard installed across the home — timeless modern look, proper cavity behind, and low-maintenance for the next 30 years.
Structural Reinforcement
Reinforced the existing framing where water damage had compromised structural integrity — coordinated with the engineer for sign-off.
Second-Storey Extension
New second-storey extension built above the existing garage to add a private bedroom with ensuite — designed to integrate seamlessly with the new cladding profile.
Kitchen + Bathrooms
New kitchen with hexagon splashback feature, new ensuite vanity and tiling — interior brought up to match the exterior rebuild.
Council Coordination
Coordinated full council process — consent, multiple inspection stages, engineer sign-off, through to Code Compliance Certificate.
Get an instant estimate for your renovation.
Answer a few quick questions about your project — rooms, scope, and size — and we’ll give you a realistic Auckland cost range in under two minutes. No phone call needed.
Get My Instant Estimate →Your Estimate
Get an instant estimate for your renovation.
Answer a few quick questions about your project — rooms, scope, and size — and we’ll give you a realistic Auckland cost range in under two minutes. No phone call needed.
