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December 22, 2023



Past Project: Kotuku Place, Snells Beach
Past Project: Kotuku Place, Snells Beach Anne and Len came to us at the Auckland Home Show, knowing they wanted to retire to their home at Snells Beach, but overwhelmed at the thought of the home extension that would be required so that they could maximise their picturesque views of the beach. ​ Initially, the plan was to add a second level to their Lockwood home, but a site-visit by Certified Home Extensions company director Alvin and our personally recommended designer Blair led to our recommendation for their home extension being the lift of their existing home, and a new basement level […]
December 13, 2023


​Building a Home Extension Budget
​Budgeting for your home extension? Here’s 3 things you need to know In order to help you with your budgeting process, we have created a breakdown of how much extending your home may be, and what costs to factor in that you may have missed. So you’re thinking of extending your home… That’s great! Extending your home is a cost effective way to create more space for your growing family or business without the hassle of uprooting to a totally different home, especially in today’s housing market. Unfortunately, it is usually a grey area when we think; How much does a […]
December 13, 2023


Do I Need Building Consent
Do I Need Building Consent? ​If you are thinking about doing a home extension or renovation, you may be wondering whether or not your project will require Building Consent. 98% of the home extensions or home renovations that we complete typically do, and we’ve illustrated why in the following blog post.​ Before we explain why most home extensions or renovations typically require Building Consent, let’s cover off what Building Consent is to make sure that we are all on the same page. In laymen’s terms, obtaining Building Consent essentially means that we have used full working drawings, structural engineering documentation and […]
December 13, 2023


3 Reasons why utilising natural light in your home…
3 Reasons why utilising natural light in your home is essential An often overlooked aspect of design is window placement for natural light and sun, which can effectively make or break your home. We delve into why… 1) Ambience/Mood Natural lighting, light sources, windows and views should be taken into consideration because it can often make the difference between a dark, gloomy feeling home and a lively, bright home that is full of natural light and maximises any views that you might have. ​Natural lighting sources, window placement and area views should be the first thing you consider during design. Even […]
December 13, 2023


How do I find a Trusted Builder to work…
How do I find a Trusted Builder to work on my home? With an industry full of cowboys with false promises, it’s no wonder people are having a hard time finding builders they trust. Here, we explore what to look for in a builder.There’s dozens of builders promising the same thing, exceptional building skills for affordable prices, so how do you go about choosing the right one to work on your home? Your new home project is not only going to be expensive, it’s also going to take a long time to fully complete. Just like how you wouldn’t hire […]
December 13, 2023


Renovating vs Building New
Renovating vs Building New We know how tough this decision is to make, so we’ve answered some frequently asked questions which we hope will help you to decide whether a renovation or building new is best.Renovating vs Building New is an age old question and will always be a hard decision to make. It boils down to a lot of factors that are mostly personal and will differ from person to person. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, meaning the best option is the one that serves the bigger picture. We hope the information below will provide some insights […]
December 13, 2023


Understanding the Difference between Building and Resource Consents
Understanding the Difference between Building and Resource Consents One of the most complex parts of completing a house extension or custom new build in Auckland is navigating the minefield of dealing with the council and working out what is and is not required for your home.  This is especially true if you have limited construction experience and are trying to manage your project independently, as opposed to using a one stop building company like ourselves who will guide you through the process. Typically, one of the first challenges is working out whether your home extension or new build will require […]
December 13, 2023


How to choose the right designer for your project
How to choose the right designer for your project With so many architectural designers offering services, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and not know where to go, or how to start. Here, we will endeavour to outline what to look for in a designer and how to decide on the right one for your project. Choosing a designer can be quite a worrying decision to make. How are they different and where do you even start? We always recommend working with one of our Architectural Designers, as they have worked with us for years so have the knowledge and expertise to back […]
December 12, 2023


What comes first? Chicken or Egg? Builder or Architect?​
What comes first? Chicken or Egg? Builder or Architect? One common misconception people have before they make the decision to make some changes to their existing or build a new home, is that they should get some plans drawn up by an architect before they get a builder involved. This is how we used to think too.​​​When Certified Home Extensions first started in 2003, our preference was very much to wait until the plans were ready, meaning we could get stuck into construction straight away and didn’t have the hassle of dealing with council, designers & fittings and fixture selection. […]
December 12, 2023