New Zealanders love older homes like villas and bungalows as they have charm, appeal and special characters that you ordinarily just can not buy from new.  Typically villas also have downfalls such as, bad layout for indoor outdoor flow, drafty/cold and damp. Despite this we can excuse them for this as they are relatively easy items to fix. DIY is in our blood and we are all suckers for a renovation.

At Villaworx Construction we feel that the most important thing to get right when modernising an old villa or bungalow is the cohesion between the old and the new. Without good aesthetic flow, any extension will feel unconnected and just thrown on. The new part of the villa or bungalow has to be clean, modern and continue the same colour scheme and building material throughout the house for continuity. The renovation process can be broken up into four basic categories, Basics Reno, Curb Appeal, Value Added and Personal Preference.

The Basics Reno are renovations that potential buyers would expect if they were to purchase a home. This would include a structurally sound roof, solid floors, walls that are in good condition and retaining walls that are not collapsing. With good regular maintenance small improvements can keep the property in good order.

 Renovations that add Curb Appeal allow the property to look good from a street appeal prospective. These projects do not add a considerable amount of monetary value to the property, but at first glance make the property more appealing. These curb appeal items include lawn, landscaping, paint inside and out, new carpets and fixtures, splashbacks, lighting with installing LEDs. Consultations for interior design with an interior decorating professional are considered useful.

The renovations that add considerable value are the Value Added renovations or fix-it-and-flip-it renos. These include upgrading kitchens with state of the art appliances, new joinery, modernised bathrooms, refurbished decks, and advanced energy saving additions such as insulation, HVAC, underfloor heating and heat pumps and the use of E-glass or double glazing.

Personal Preference renovations are changes that you want but that other people may not like. These include tennis courts, swimming pools, games rooms, wine cellars, spa pools and ponds. These renovations can involve extensive structural work like removing walls to enlarge a space, Eliminating a bedroom to extend a room, remodeling a basement, adding a 2nd or third story, lifting a house to allow another level.

When considering a renovation project, you must ask yourself “what is the purpose of the renovation”. If it is to be your home for many years to come; add the amenities that you want (Personal Preference renovations), but if it is for investment or re-sale depending on your budget look at Value Added, Curb Appeal or the bare minimum a Basic Reno renovation. If unsure just what type of home renovation you require (to insure costs are utilised effectively) please do not hesitate to contact us for a free no obligation quote.

Villas nowadays make up a significant contribution of the building industry’s work. Numerous Villas have been renovated to a high standard with extensive work leaving only the street façade remaining. Nevertheless, a lot of New Zealand Villas are yet to be upgraded and renovated. These remaining Villas are typically damp, cold and drafty and have a poor aspect. The layout of the service areas such as bathrooms are poor in relation to bedrooms and do not fit in with modern amenities.

Typical villa renovation trends today have shown that the street appearance of the Villa is being persevered, while the rest of the property has been modified and redesigned to allow for modern open plan living. Additions such as installing modern bathrooms and kitchens, room/extra levels or basement extensions, rewiring and re-plumbing, increased lighting (LEDs, skylights) and improving indoor outdoor flow.

Villas are majestic neoclassical pieces of architecture that deserve to be protected and preserved for future generations. People are keeping their street facade and totally renovating the inside and out back to accompany their modern lifestyles. These people who own these high quality villas truly receive the best of both worlds.