Call now on 03 548 6833

What's Involved in Renovating a Heritage Home in Nelson

What's Involved in Renovating a Heritage Home in Nelson

Renovating a heritage home is a unique journey that combines the beauty of the past with the comfort and functionality of the present. In Nelson, where history breathes through the walls of its storied buildings, undertaking such a project is not just a renovation; it's a restoration of history. At You Build, we pride ourselves on our extensive experience in transforming heritage homes, villas, and bungalows back to their original splendor. With several major heritage renovation projects under our belt in Nelson, we're here to guide you through every step of this rewarding process.

Why Choose a Master Builder for Your House Build in Nelson

Why Choose a Master Builder for Your House Build in Nelson

Building a house is more than just a construction project; it's the creation of a sanctuary, a space where memories are made and lives are lived. In Nelson, where the landscape melds seamlessly with architectural beauty, choosing the right building partner is paramount. That's where You Build, a multi-award-winning Nelson building company, stands out.

Nelson House Prices Hit Record Highs

Asking prices for houses in Nelson have soared to record highs according to Trade Me's December property index figures.

Thanks to a 17.6 per cent rise in the past 12 months, the average asking price in Nelson has now rocketed past the half million dollar mark, coming in at $548,450.

Haven Property management manager Jeanette Aspin said she had not seen phenomenal growth like it and did not foresee the demand for houses in Nelson slowing down any time soon.

Trade Me Property head Nigel Jeffries said the property market in the top of the South Island was particularly strong.

Nelson's Summit Real Estate sales manager Ben Nalder said he saw a huge demand from buyers and new subdivisions, mainly in Richmond, provided more options for those looking to buy or build a house.

Infometrics Senior Economist Benje Patterson says rising house prices have lifted incentives to build, as evident by the 16% increase in residential building consents over the past year. The strong level of building activity in the Nelson-Tasman area includes demand for renovations to existing homes as well as those planning new builds.

If you're looking for professional certified builders in Nelson whom you can rely on, get You Build on board - Nelson's new home and renovation specialists.

Land Supply Shortage Hinders New Home Builds in Nelson

Nelson city has long had a problem with its shortage of land. Real estate agents and property developers say the land supply shortage is a dominant influence on the high level of competition in the Nelson property market and is pushing other buyers to outlying areas.

Building new homes in Nelson city is constrained in terms of land, the topography, ground conditions and infrastructure. However peopl continue to be attracted to new house builds for the combination of warmth, maintenance, and design preferences they offer. Most people also expect to make capital gains when they build their own home, making it a sensible financial option.

Wakatu property general manager Iain Sheves said new builds in Nelson in areas such as Richmond and Motueka, could not be built fast enough.

From January to July of last year, over 40 sections of land had been sold "unconditionally" in Nelson, from Stoke to Atawhai, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand statistics.

The Nelson-Tasman region has seen a 16 per cent jump in building consents this financial year, according to Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) statistics.

If you're ready to build your new dream home, talk to local Nelson builders You Build. They'll guide you through the whole building process, looking after you and your project from the initial build concept to the final sign off.

Image for Land Supply article.jpg

Understanding House Renovations and Alterations

 

New Zealanders love to renovate. But contrary to the popular myth, that doesn't automatically mean the expertise needed to carry out a renovation is hardwired into our DNA. The prospect of turning an old property into your dream home can be exciting but knowing what renovations, additions and alterations, actually mean and what you need to start planning for, can be challenging.

Many people renovate homes to update and improve them, add value or create more space. Sometimes renovations are also referred to as alterations, and may involve an addition or an extension.

Design and building professionals will almost certainly be necessary if you're planning an addition. Additions are complicated by the need to tie into the existing home. A new addition needs to be structurally compatible and ideally, aesthetically sympathetic which is why their design and construction is not generally a DIY renovation.

No matter what the scale of your alterations, home renovation specialists will encourage you to think early on in the process about your preferences for style and materials. Do you want to carefully match the current style of the house or are you looking for an adventurous contrast? Will the renovation include modernising elements such as rewiring the house or updating bathroom fittings? Will the alterations provide an opportunity to put in more insulation or extra storage?

Whatever your design ideas, go into a home renovation with your eyes open. Be aware that older homes will often have a few surprises in store. However, if you like your location then improving your house can be a good solution as well as increasing its value.

You Build is a professional certified builder in Nelson, specialising in home renovations and alterations throughout the greater Nelson region.

A Closer Look at Building Costs in New Zealand

Before you start a building project it's useful to have some idea of your budget and to help with that, it's really essential to have a rough idea of building costs. Just as long you remember that building costs are only as accurate as the detail you are able to put in to them.

To give a very broad indication, $1500 m2 is very cheap, $2-2500 m2 is more commonplace while figures from $3000 m2 and upwards are typically more consistent with complex builds such as architecturally designed houses.

Having said that, all building projects are very different and the best way to get an idea of the cost is to talk with your builder and designer about the design and different materials you want to use from cladding and joinery to the appliances, and get their ballpark figures.

When you get your quotes, check that you’re comparing apples with apples. Cheaper quotes may have left out items or deliberately under quoted. You could find you pay more down the track. And don't forget to include a contingency of approximately 10% in your budget. Unexpected extra costs will almost certainly crop up.

When you're ready, using a Quantity Surveyor to price your project is a good way to way to get the most accurate estimate of your building costs. Early on is the best time to understand the expenses you'll be in for, while you're still able to tweak the plans. The further down the track you are when you change your mind, the more serious the effects on the budget! 

Tips for Designing the Ultimate Indoor Outdoor Space

If you're building a new home in Nelson, it’s important to think about your indoor outdoor living early on. The smooth flow between inside and outside, and the layout of the house is very important so discuss your ideas with your building team and together you can establish how your outdoor living can fit in best with your site and house design.

Aside from the budget, there are some important things to consider when designing your indoor outdoor space.

The critical element is to make sure the style and proportions of outdoor areas match those of the interior. You want to be able to treat your outdoor space as an additional room. Flooring, furniture and materials should be consistent with the themes inside so they appear as one continuous living space.

Choosing how you want to access your outdoor space is a key decision. There are benefits to using large sliders that will really open your indoors to the outside space. Classic french doors are another popular solution.

Try to orientate your outdoor area to the north to maximise the sun. Think about whether you need shade in summer. Think about separating spaces to make different zones, or using screens to provide shelter from a prevailing wind. 

Outdoor dining and cooking spaces are also an essential part of modern outdoor living, from built in fireplaces to full outdoor kitchens. And if you're thinking of incorporating a pool or spa, it’s also important to consider access, safety fencing, and surface treatment.

No matter what their size, courtyards, decks and gardens can be specifically designed to be relaxing living and entertaining spaces that will suit your lifestyle. 

Talk to the team at You Build Nelson about your visions for an indoor outdoor space.

Key Steps to Building Your Dream Home

The chance to design and build your own home in Nelson is an exciting opportunity. It's a chance to think about who you are, what you want, how you want to live, and to design and build a home that fits you perfectly.

Building your dream home or renovation can also have its challenges and frustrations. It can help to understand the essential steps that need to happen along the way.

Firstly, you’ll need to do some research. Think about what you can afford, what you want to achieve in a home and collect pictures of designs you like.

Choose a designer and Nelson builder. Working with a professional and experienced team who understand your dream will mean a more enjoyable experience as they guide you through this complex journey.

Develop the project brief and establish a budget. Using a spreadsheet system such as Excel is ideal for developing a budget as you can continuously update and modify it through the build.

Develop the concept design. Moving walls on paper is a lot easier than after they’re built so plan, plan, plan and don't settle until you’ve explored all avenues.

Your certified Nelson builder should advise you if you need to assess any environmental impacts in order to get a Resource Consent for your build. Otherwise it's time to prepare a developed design and the construction plans and submit them to the council for Building Consent.

Finally, the construction of your dream Nelson home can begin. Stay calm, keep your sense of humour and trust your team to address the issues. Soon you'll be enjoying your beautiful new home that you’ve worked hard to create.