Renovation Guides

Ideas & Inspiration

Design ideas, layout inspiration, and renovation possibilities for Auckland homes. From kitchen trends to character home extensions — see what’s possible.

29 Guides Updated 2026

Articles & Project Stories

Renovation ideas & project stories

Sometimes the hardest part is picturing what your home could become. The guides and project stories below show real Auckland renovations and the design thinking behind them — to spark ideas for yours.

The Bungalow They Always Wanted: Hillsborough Extension

Hillsborough bungalow extension — open-plan kitchen with marble island, brushed brass pendants and French doors to the backyard

A 1930s Hillsborough bungalow reimagined — load-bearing wall removed, French doors to the deck, porch reborn as laundry, one stunning wet-room bathroom.

James Hardie Cladding Auckland: Linea vs Stria vs Axon (Which for Your Reclad)

James Hardie Linea vs Stria vs Axon vs Architectural Panel cladding comparison — Auckland recladding by Add Value Renovations

James Hardie fibre cement is now the most popular reclad choice on Auckland homes. Compare Linea, Stria, Axon and Architectural Panel — look, cost, and which suits your home.

Mt Eden Renovations: The Complete 2026 Guide for Character Homes & Grammar Zone Properties

Renovated Mt Eden character home interior — Auckland renovation by Add Value Renovations

Mt Eden renovation guide 2026: real cost ranges ($130K-$2.3M+), Special Character consent rules, Grammar Zone effect on ROI, and the bungalow renovation playbook.

Devonport Renovations: The Complete 2026 Guide for Heritage Harbourside Homes

Recladded plaster home finished in vertical white weatherboard with second-storey extension — Epsom recladding project by Add Value Renovations

Devonport renovation guide 2026: real cost ranges ($150K-$2.5M+), heritage consent rules, coastal-grade material requirements, and the design approach that works.

Master Suite Renovation Guide for Auckland Homes (2026)

Ground floor master suite extension — Onehunga home extension by Add Value Renovations

What an Auckland master suite actually costs in 2026, the four layout approaches (reconfiguration, ground-floor add, over-garage, attic), the six mistakes homeowners make, and the consent path you need to follow.

Reimagined From Within: Blockhouse Bay Full Home Renovation

Open-plan living and dining area with timber flooring — award-winning Blockhouse Bay home renovation by Add Value Renovations.

The Kishore family’s Blockhouse Bay home had potential but not enough rooms. See how a full home renovation turned a cramped layout into a space the family loves.

Warm, Timeless, Built to Last — Remuera Bungalow Ensuite

Remuera bungalow ensuite by Add Value Renovations — floating veneer vanity, stone top, twin wall lights and custom mirror cabinet

A warm, timeless ensuite for a retired Remuera couple — custom veneer vanity, reimagined lighting, Fez White feature wall, and finished before they were home from Europe.

Character Home Renovations in Auckland: Preserving Charm While Modernising (2026)

Auckland’s villas and bungalows have character worth keeping — but also challenges worth understanding. How to modernise a character home without destroying what makes it special.

Remuera Renovations: The Complete 2026 Guide to High-End Auckland Projects

Open-plan living and dining renovation — Remuera high-end home renovation by Add Value Renovations

Renovating in Remuera means higher design expectations, strict heritage considerations and a market that rewards quality. What you need to know before starting a high-end Auckland renovation.

Ponsonby Villa Renovations: The Complete 2026 Guide for Auckland Character Homes

Ponsonby villa renovations mean heritage overlays, specialist trades and tighter budgets than most homeowners expect. What to know before you start — and how to get a result worth the investment.

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What our customers say

Google Reviews

4.8 (34)

Review us on Google

Jann Singer

4 months ago

Simon and Joanna of Add Value Renovations planned and completed our en-suite upgrade. We are entirely happy with the finished product and the service and care they provided. We especially appreciated the direct communication with Simon. He is a good man — honest, reliable, and easy to work with. The attention to detail and quality of the finish was outstanding.

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Carl Anderson

We loved working with Simon and the team at Add Value Renovations. Add Value's project manager Tim, and interior designer Joanna, had excellent communication throughout the entire process. The quality of the workmanship was top-notch and they completed our bungalow renovation on time and on budget.

Rajeev Kishore

1 year ago

Simon working with you and your team was a truly positive experience. Your expertise, combined with your genuine care for our project, made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We're thrilled with the results and couldn't have asked for a better team to bring our vision to life.

Leah song

Just wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the outstanding work you've done! A ext. renovation done by Add Value was truly a remarkable transformation. The kitchen and bathroom designs are not only aesthetically stunning but also highly functional. It's evident that a lot of thought and care went into every detail.

Alex Salkeld

2 years ago

Simon and his team recently took care of renovating the bedrooms of our house. We are very happy with the quality of work and the professionalism shown throughout the project. The team was punctual, tidy and communicated well at every stage.

Colin McLennan

Had the pleasure of using Simon and his team on a garage conversion project. Simon made the planning and building process easy and his team were professional in their approach. It was a project that was on time and budget. Have no problem recommending Add Value Renovations for your next project.

Jo Nicoud-Garden

I worked with Simon at Add Value Renovations on a full home renovation and the experience was fantastic from start to finish. The communication was clear, the timeline was realistic, and the quality of the work speaks for itself. Highly recommended.

K Noronha

We have used the services of Add Value Renovations twice over three years, once for bathroom renovations and more recently for our kitchen and deck. The quality of work has always been excellent and any issues that arose were dealt with promptly and professionally.