Incredible Full Home Renovation in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay

A New Beginning

When Chris and Anneke were ready to move back to New Zealand after a stint across the ditch, they bought a home in Havelock North – sight unseen! It was in a great location with a lot of potential, but it was also in need of a complete renovation. They knew they would need the help of experts to create their dream home – especially while still being based overseas – so the couple got in touch with Sophia Roydhouse-Ross and Mike Ross, their local Hawke’s Bay Refresh Renovations team for advice.

With new roofing, bathrooms, kitchen, and master wing all on the wish list, there was a lot to discuss! Over Zoom Sophia and Mike listened to Chris and Anneke’s goals, discussed budget, and explained more about the Refresh process and how they would be able to provide a completely tailored renovation service. With Refresh, your dedicated Renovation Consultant takes care of every element of the renovation process, from building consent and design, through to on-site scheduling and sourcing materials. This complete end-to-end service was exactly what Chris and Anneke needed, so they officially began their renovation journey with Sophia and Mike at the helm. 

Design and Costing

Because Chris and Anneke wanted such an extensive renovation, Sophia engaged a quantity surveyor early in the project scoping stage to get a good idea of costs. To stay within their initial budget, the couple decided to delay plans for a scullery and full kitchen renovation. Instead, they would focus on renovating the other areas of the house without compromises and have a smaller cosmetic kitchen makeover for now.

Sophia’s architect got to work creating plans for the alterations with plenty of input from Chris and Anneke to ensure the home would function well for their busy family. The architect designed a beautiful space including a new master wing created from a previously converted garage, a spacious new family room, and a luxe family bathroom with separate WC designed to maximise functionality. This process took several months, all while Chris and Anneke were still overseas but, once they were completely happy with the plans and costings, the exciting transformation could begin.

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Major Renovation Begins

Phase one of the project – which included three bedrooms, the hallway, lounge, and new roofing - was completed while Chris and Anneke were still overseas. The asbestos roof was removed and replaced with long run, colour steel roofing, while the other spaces were completely refreshed. A larger, separate lounge was created by removing a redundant fireplace and shifting a wall back, as well as installing a large cavity slider. Once the family moved into the home phase two – the master wing including a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite – could begin. Previous owners had converted a garage into a bedroom, but with a step down and low roof, it still felt like a makeshift room. Builders raised the floor to be level with the rest of the home, raised the roof height, installed new joinery, and reclad the outside of this wing. Six months later Sophia’s expert team returned and completed phase three - the family bathroom.

Mike managed every element of this phased renovation, including the council consent process, managing contractors, on-site scheduling, and health and safety. He used his existing network to secure trusted tradespeople - from asbestos specialists to plumbers, builders, tilers, flooring experts and dozens more – to ensure Chris and Anneke’s renovation was top quality – which shows in the stunning results.

A Stunning Transformation

Chris and Anneke’s home underwent a stunning transformation that removed any trace of previous DIY renovation efforts and dated features. Carefully considered layout, functionality, finishes, and fixtures resulted in a spacious, bright, and warm home that is perfect for a busy family. The bathrooms provide wow factor, with double vanities, gorgeous tiling, and frameless glass showers. Curved edges on the basins and mirrors add a touch of softness to the room, and the neutral palette helps to create a relaxing retreat. The new master suite is now well and truly a part of the home, and a bright and spacious sanctuary for Chris and Anneke. Throughout the house new paint, flooring, lighting, and ventilation have refreshed the home, and the new and improved lounge provides plenty of space for the family to enjoy.

Final Words

Sophia and Mike transformed a lack-lustre 1970s house into a beautiful and functional family home full of carefully considered details and quality finishes. From the stunning tiled bathrooms featuring double vanities, to the bright and open lounge space, every element combined to create a flawless renovation that the clients absolutely love: 

"From the onset, it was clear that Refresh Renovations Hawkes Bay were going to be the right fit for us. Their commitment to effective communication was evident in every interaction. The team’s friendly approach wasn’t just about meeting expectations but consistently going above and beyond.

What truly set them apart was their focus on understanding of our needs, the end point we desired, and keeping everything on track.

When it came to build phase, Mike's onsite presence was invaluable and his strong relationship with their group of trade partners was clear. Each one mirrored their own high standards, ensuring a seamless renovation journey.

Sophia, Mike and the team made what could have been a stressful process, a perfectly simple experience. Their dedication to client satisfaction and the art of home renovation is truly commendable. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to transform their home with confidence and peace of mind."

For Sophia and Mike, it was a pleasure to work with Chris and Anneke.

“It was a privilege to work with Chris and Anneke to transform their first ever house into a family home. They had so many ideas and a definite style/theme they wanted to bring through which was lovely to embrace. They were very detailed clients and knew what they liked, but very open to our knowledge, suggestions and expertise. The master wing was a fabulous addition, and altering the floor and ceiling levels was worth it to make it feel truly part of the home”. 

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