In what order should I renovate my house?

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Thinking about renovating your home but not sure where to start—or what comes next? 

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions, people, and moving parts involved in a renovation. 

The good news? There is a logical order to follow. 

Once you understand the steps, planning becomes simpler, budgets are more accurate, and the whole process runs much more smoothly.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the ideal order for renovating a house in New Zealand. Whether you’re upgrading your forever home, adding value before you sell, or transforming a rental.

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Step 1: Start with a plan (even if it changes)

Before any tools come out, start with the big picture. Ask yourself:

• What’s not working in the home right now?
• What are your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves?
• Are you renovating to live, rent, or sell?
• What’s your total budget?
• Are you planning to stay in your home during the work?
  

You don’t need every detail locked in, but a rough sketch of your goals and priorities will help you get advice, quotes, and timeframes from the right people.

Pro tip: Getting input at this stage can be really useful. Having a renovation specialist looking over your plans and ideas can help you make the most of features you’ve not even thought about. For example flipping the layout of a kitchen to make the most of natural light and warmth. 

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Step 2: Get your consents sorted early

If you’re moving walls, changing plumbing layouts, or making structural changes, you may need building consent from your local council. 

These approvals can take weeks (sometimes longer), so start early.

Things that often need consent in NZ:

• Removing or moving load-bearing walls
• Adding new rooms or extensions
• Replacing a roof or cladding
• Changing plumbing layouts or drainage
  

Pro tip: Talk to one of our renovation specialists early. They can help you know what’s needed and may often manage the process for you.

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Step 3: Fix the structure and external shell

Once your plan is sorted, begin with the bones of the house. This ensures that any future work you do is safe, dry, and durable.

Tackle this stage if you need to:

• Re-pile or level the foundation.
• Repair the roof, gutters, or downpipes.
• Replace rotten framing or cladding.
• Upgrade insulation.
• Install or repair windows and doors.
  

Pro tip: Why this comes first. There’s no point painting or plastering if the roof is still leaking. This stage gives you a watertight, structurally sound home to work within.

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Step 4: Upgrade the services (plumbing, electrical, HVAC)

With the structure sound, it’s time to do the messy behind-the-wall work - before anything’s lined or tiled.

This includes any:

• New wiring or circuit boards.
• Lighting and power points.
• Plumbing pipes and drainage.
• Ventilation systems.
• Heat pumps or underfloor heating.
• Smart home systems.
  

Prop tip: If you're future-proofing, this is the time to run extra cabling or ducting, even if you’re not using it right away.

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Step 5: Work on the bathroom and kitchen

Once services are in, focus on the rooms that are the hardest to live without, and the most costly to redo later.

Stages of renovation for a kitchen or bathroom:

1. Demolition
2. Plumbing and electrical rough-in
3. Lining and waterproofing
4. Tiling and painting
5. Cabinetry and benchtop installation
6. Fittings and appliances

Pro tip: If you only have one bathroom, arrange temporary facilities or stay elsewhere during this stage.

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Step 6: Interior walls, ceilings and floors

Now it’s time to bring the rest of the interior to life. With all the messy stuff done, this is when things start to feel like home again.

This stage usually includes:

• Wall insulation (if needed).
• Gib fixing and plastering.
• Painting or wallpapering.
• New flooring (carpet, timber, vinyl).
• Internal doors and trim.

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Step 7: Final fittings and finishing touches

Now that the major works are done, it’s time to add the details that make your home feel complete.

Things to finish off:

• Light fittings and switch plates.
• Curtain rails and blinds.
• Built-in furniture or storage.
• Smoke alarms and security systems.
• Final clean and inspection.
  

Pro tip: Keep a running list of finishing tasks as you go. It’s easy to forget small things like silicone sealing, door stops or patch paintwork.

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Step 8: Don’t forget the exterior and landscaping

It’s easy to focus on the interior, but if your renovation includes exterior work, this is the time to bring it all together.

Exterior finishes to think about include:

• Painting cladding or weatherboards.
• Building or resurfacing decks.
• Fencing and gates.
• Driveway or path repairs.
• Garden beds and lawn restoration.
  

Pro tip: Exterior work is often weather-dependent. Build in flexibility if you’re renovating during winter.

A handy renovation order checklist

• Here’s a printable list you can use when planning your renovation:
• Define goals, budget and scope
• Talk to professionals (designer, builder, or renovation company)
• Get any necessary consents
• Complete structural and external repairs
• Upgrade plumbing, electrical, and ventilation
• Renovate kitchen and bathrooms
• Finish internal walls, ceilings and floors
• Install fittings and fixtures
• Complete outdoor and landscaping work
• Final walk-through and snag list

How to keep your renovation on track

As home renovation specialists, here are our tips on how to keep your renovation on track 

• Plan ahead: Book tradies well in advance—especially during busy seasons.
• Stay flexible: Unexpected issues (like hidden rot or delays in materials) can and do happen.
• Communicate often: A renovation manager or builder who keeps you in the loop makes a big difference.
• Use a tracking system: Our clients get access to an interactive dashboard so they always know what’s happening and when.
  
  

Need help with your renovation?

We’ve been helping New Zealanders renovate their homes for nearly two decades—making sure each project follows a logical, cost-effective, and stress-reducing order. If you’re planning to renovate and want an experienced team on your side, [get in touch with us today].

We’ll guide you through the process, help you avoid common pitfalls, and make sure your home works beautifully for the way you live.

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Here are some of our renovation projects

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Renovating a flood hit home in Epsom https://www.renovations.nz/blog-articles/2-88-king-george-avenue-epsom-project 

Renovating and flipping on the North Shore https://www.renovations.nz/blog-articles/renovating-is-worth-every-cent-a-success-story-from-beach-haven 

Renovating a cold, damp home

https://www.renovations.nz/blog-articles/aeroview-road-beach-haven-renovation-a-success-story 

Book a no-obligation call to talk about your home renovation https://www.renovations.nz/contact 

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