Light, Bright, and Modern: Full Home Renovation in Onehunga, West Auckland

A full brief

Cassie and Andrew were looking forward to starting a family in a renovated home – and the home to renovate was the one Cassie grew up in and inherited from her mother! Cassie and Andrew were looking forward to creating their own set of family memories there, but some changes were in order.

With their first child already on the way, the couple wanted to renovate before she arrived. Neither Cassie nor Andrew had renovated before, so they needed a team they could trust to help them turn their dream to reality. Included in their brief were bedrooms, hallway, bathroom, kitchen and pantry. The window of opportunity was quickly closing so they reached out to Auckland West Renovation Consultant (and neighbour) Dominic Hollands, an expert in managing renovations from concept to completion.

Flexible but focused

Time was of the essence, but Cassie and Andrew were well guided by Dominic from the outset through all the essential planning stages. They followed the concept and feasibility process perfectly, getting a quantity surveyor report and making budget-led decisions from there. The design concept had allowed for a bigger renovation that included a new entrance, and master bedroom plus en suite. When the QS report put these additional aspects beyond budget, Cassie and Andrew were able to focus on what they needed most. With design and budget confirmed, Dominic could arrange Auckland Council consent for the extension, shower, and deck. Then it was time for transformation.

Challenge accepted

In came the construction teams and work started in earnest. On the schedule – build an extension, remove internal walls, and relocate and install a new bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. An unexpected setback arose but Cassie and Andrew took it in their stride. During the bathroom and sunroom demolition, Dominic’s team discovered the foundations and roof structure of the original 1910s bungalow were no longer sound. This resulted in a rebuild of the back portion of the house. On a positive note, the situation allowed the team to remove a false ceiling and gain extra height via a vaulted ceiling. The additional work added time to the project and took the estimated $250,000 cost to $300,000, but it had to be done and Cassie and Andrew were very pragmatic about it.

The back exterior wall was pushed out by a metre under the existing eaves and a new deck was built. With superb scheduling of contractors and supplies, Dominic and his team of skilled tradies delivered the completed project just one month after baby Evelyn was born.

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A fresh look for a fresh start

What an awesome place for a young family to start their new lives! The home is completely transformed from dark, compact spaces to light, bright, and spacious. By having the back half of the house opened up, Cassie, Andrew, and baby Evelyn can now enjoy open-plan living that flows out to a sunny deck and family-size backyard.

Cassie and Andrew’s highlight is the stunning kitchen renovation – modern and fresh with a large island incorporating a breakfast bar. It’s not only functional but has a sleek feel and provides a wonderful social space as the family grows. Ample storage and workspaces are cleverly placed for efficiency of movement in every direction. 

The big family-sized bathroom with unobtrusive laundry whiteware gives a feeling of luxurious calm, providing a space where family members can unwind. Moving through the home into the renovated bedroom provides a feeling of contentment, as it’s decorated for baby Evelyn in soft, neutral tones.

Final thoughts

Cassie and Andrew now have the dream scenario – a spacious modern interior flowing out to the sun-drenched deck and backyard. Dominic managed all aspects of this at-times-challenging renovation on a tight timeline, delivering a result the owners love. Dominic sums the finished home up as “a light, bright, modern home, perfect for this family’s fresh start!”

Would you like to discuss your home renovation ideas?

Get in touch for a free consultation with your local Renovation Consultant.