Renovation costs in Christchurch

Cost is the first question almost everyone asks about a renovation, and the hardest to answer from a website. Every home is different. This guide gives you realistic price bands for the most common renovations we do in Christchurch, explains what moves the price, and shows how we give you cost certainty before work starts.

• Kitchen renovation: $30,000 to $150,000, usually 4 to 6 weeks on site.
• Bathroom renovation: $20,000 to $50,000, usually 3 to 5 weeks on site.
• Extension: $100,000 to $200,000.
• Whole-home renovation: $500,000 to $1,500,000, usually 6 to 12 months.

All of these figures include consenting and the renovation work. Treat them as a starting point. The only way to know what your renovation will cost is to price it properly, which is what we do at the start of every job.

Want a realistic number for your renovation? Talk to Tim.

Kitchen renovations

Kitchens fall into three broad bands. A base kitchen that keeps roughly the same layout is usually $30,000 to $60,000. A mid-range kitchen with more custom joinery and some layout or plumbing changes is usually $60,000 to $90,000. A high-end kitchen with fully custom design, premium materials and bigger changes is usually $90,000 to $150,000.

For more detail, read our kitchen renovation cost guide.

Bathroom renovations

A bathroom renovation is usually $20,000 to $50,000 and takes 3 to 5 weeks on site. Where your bathroom sits in that range depends mostly on whether the layout changes, how much tiling is involved, the fittings you choose, and whether waterproofing, plumbing or ventilation needs upgrading once the old bathroom is out.

Extensions

An extension is usually $100,000 to $200,000. Size is the obvious driver, but it isn’t the only one. Foundations, how the new space joins the existing house, the roofline, and the amount of glazing all make a big difference. Most extensions need a building consent from Christchurch City Council, and on sloping sections the engineering can add to the cost. If you’re building on the Port Hills, read about our hill site builds.

Whole-home renovations

A whole-home renovation is usually $500,000 to $1,500,000 and takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the size and scale of the job. These are the projects where layouts are reworked, living areas are opened up for better indoor-outdoor flow, and the home is brought up to a new-home standard. Our Taylors Avenue renovation in Bryndwr and Scarborough Lane renovation are good examples.

What affects the cost of any renovation

• Layout changes. Moving walls, plumbing or the kitchen is the biggest single cost decision.
• Materials and finishes. Cabinetry, benchtops, tiles, flooring and fittings can vary a lot in price.
• Structure and consents. Changes to load-bearing walls, foundations or plumbing and drainage often need a building consent and engineering.
• What’s behind the walls. Old wiring, pipework or water damage can only be fully seen once work starts, so it pays to plan for it.
• Access and site. Steep sections and tight access add time and cost.

How we give you cost certainty

We start with a design brief and budget, then give you a detailed quote that covers every material, subcontractor and labour hour. Once work starts, you get monthly financial reviews, itemised invoices and a payment tracker showing every dollar spent and what’s left. If unexpected costs come up that you haven’t approved, we cover them, not you.

Find out more about our renovations, or request a free consultation.