MyHome Renovations

MyHome Renovations We are Auckland's trusted renovation experts. We offer a fixed price on your renovation project and guarantee no cost surprises at the end.

We offer a fixed price on your renovation project and guarantee no cost surprises at the end.

One of the things we often talk about during the design process is how a home can better support everyday life.Sometimes...
31/05/2026

One of the things we often talk about during the design process is how a home can better support everyday life.

Sometimes that means creating more space for a growing family. Other times, it's about carving out a quiet corner to escape to at the end of a busy day.

A window seat, reading nook, or small alcove might not be the biggest part of a renovation, but it can become one of the most-used spaces in the house.

It's often the simple things that make a home feel more enjoyable to live in - a sunny spot to read, a place to enjoy a morning coffee, or somewhere to sit and watch the world go by.

When planned well, even an underutilised corner can become a space you'll find yourself returning to time and again.

Cabinet handles are one of those details that don’t seem particularly important - until the kitchen is finished and ever...
28/05/2026

Cabinet handles are one of those details that don’t seem particularly important - until the kitchen is finished and everything comes together.

The style, shape and finish you choose can subtly influence how the whole space feels.

For example:
– cup pulls and traditional k***s tend to suit more classic or character-style homes
– slim bar handles or handleless cabinetry create a cleaner, more contemporary look
– while darker metals or brushed brass can add contrast and a bit more personality

It’s also one of the few elements you interact with every single day, so practicality matters just as much as appearance.

Like many parts of a renovation, it’s a relatively small decision on its own - but when chosen carefully, it can really help tie the overall kitchen design together.

If you own a character home in Auckland, it’s worth finding out early whether your property sits within a Special Charac...
27/05/2026

If you own a character home in Auckland, it’s worth finding out early whether your property sits within a Special Character Area.

These overlays were introduced through the Auckland Unitary Plan to help protect the historic character of certain suburbs and streetscapes. And while they don’t prevent homeowners from renovating, they can influence what changes are possible - particularly from the street frontage.

Depending on the scope of work, renovations in these areas may require resource consent and review by the Council’s heritage team.

That assessment can include things like:
– the scale and proportions of additions
– exterior detailing and materials
– traditional joinery
– and how new work relates to the original house

Even details like fences, chimneys and garages can sometimes come into consideration.

In practice, this usually means the planning stage becomes especially important. Understanding the rules early can help avoid redesigns, delays and unnecessary costs later on.

We’ve worked on a number of Auckland character homes within Special Character Areas over the years, and with the right approach it’s still very possible to improve functionality and modernise a home while respecting the features that give these neighbourhoods their identity.

Renovating a character home comes with a slightly different challenge than renovating a more modern house.It’s not just ...
20/05/2026

Renovating a character home comes with a slightly different challenge than renovating a more modern house.

It’s not just about improving the way the home functions - it’s often also about protecting the details that give it personality in the first place.

With villas and bungalows in particular, small decisions can make a surprisingly big difference to whether the finished renovation still feels authentic to the original home.

Things like:
– retaining original ceiling heights where possible
– matching skirtings, architraves and mouldings
– choosing doors, windows and hardware that suit the era
– and carefully considering how new flooring connects with the old

Even when adding extensions or reworking layouts, those details help create a more seamless transition between the original part of the house and the new work.

In many ways, the best character renovations are the ones where it’s hard to tell what’s old and what’s new.

We’ve worked on many Auckland character homes over the years, and when they’re planned carefully, it’s absolutely possible to improve comfort and functionality without losing the charm that made the home special to begin with.

One of the first questions many homeowners ask is:“Can we actually afford to renovate the way we want to?”It’s a fair qu...
19/05/2026

One of the first questions many homeowners ask is:
“Can we actually afford to renovate the way we want to?”

It’s a fair question - and one that’s difficult to answer accurately without first understanding what’s possible for the home, both structurally and financially.

That’s why the early planning stage is so important.

Before building consent drawings are developed, it helps to first explore:
– what can realistically be achieved on the site
– how the layout and design could work
– and what the likely cost range may be

Sometimes that confirms the original ideas fit comfortably within budget. Other times, it highlights opportunities to simplify, stage the project differently, or make adjustments before too much time and money is invested in detailed plans.

In our experience, having those conversations early leads to much better decision-making later on.

A well-planned renovation isn’t just about good design - it’s about making sure the project is realistic, achievable, and aligned with how you actually want to live.

One of the biggest misconceptions around renovating is that a better result always requires a bigger budget.In reality, ...
17/05/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions around renovating is that a better result always requires a bigger budget.

In reality, careful planning and good decision-making can go a long way.

Some of the most effective ways to manage renovation costs are actually fairly simple:
– being clear about what matters most
– improving the layout instead of adding more area
– avoiding unnecessary structural or plumbing changes
– and knowing where it makes sense to invest, and where it doesn’t

For example, keeping kitchens and bathrooms in roughly the same location can help avoid significant plumbing costs. Reworking the existing footprint of a home can also sometimes achieve the extra functionality homeowners are looking for - without needing a major extension.

The same applies to finishes and materials. In some cases, carrying one consistent flooring option throughout a renovation can be more practical (and cost-effective) than trying to perfectly match older materials.

Most renovation budgets involve trade-offs somewhere. The key is making those decisions deliberately, so the investment goes into the parts of the home that will make the biggest difference to how you live in it.

That’s where thoughtful planning early on can have a real impact.

Not all renovation work can legally be done as DIY - and this is something many homeowners don’t realise until they’re a...
14/05/2026

Not all renovation work can legally be done as DIY - and this is something many homeowners don’t realise until they’re already well into planning.

Certain types of work are classified as Restricted Building Work (RBW). These are the parts of a renovation that affect the structural integrity or weathertightness of your home, and they must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP).

That includes things like:
– removing or altering load-bearing walls
– foundations and roofing
– installing windows or skylights
– bathroom waterproofing and exterior cladding

The reason for these rules is fairly straightforward - it’s about making sure homes are safe, durable, and built to code.

Even if someone has years of building experience, it’s important to check they’re appropriately licensed for the work being carried out.

We completely understand why homeowners want to be hands-on during a renovation, and there are definitely parts of a project where DIY can work well. But when it comes to RBW, it’s worth understanding the requirements before getting started.

It can save a lot of stress (and costly remedial work) later on.

Window furnishings are often one of the last decisions made during a renovation - but they can have a surprisingly big i...
13/05/2026

Window furnishings are often one of the last decisions made during a renovation - but they can have a surprisingly big impact on how a space feels once everything is finished.

Beyond privacy and light control, they help soften a room, add warmth, and tie the overall design together.

Depending on the style of the home, that might mean:
– full-height curtains for a softer, more layered look
– shutters for a more timeless feel
– or simple blinds for a cleaner, more minimal finish

They also play a practical role. Good window furnishings can help with insulation, reduce glare, and protect flooring and furniture from harsh UV exposure.

It’s one of those details that’s easy to leave until the end - but when it’s considered early as part of the overall design, it usually feels far more cohesive once the renovation is complete.

Updating your cladding can completely change the feel of a home from the street.For many homeowners, it’s not just about...
10/05/2026

Updating your cladding can completely change the feel of a home from the street.

For many homeowners, it’s not just about appearance - it’s also an opportunity to reduce maintenance and improve how the exterior performs over time.

Contemporary cladding options come in a wide range of profiles, textures and colours, so there’s plenty of flexibility depending on the style of the home.

And sometimes, even relatively simple exterior changes can make an older house feel far more current and cohesive.

This project we completed in Onehunga is a great example of the impact that kind of transformation can have.

A front door does a lot more than provide access to your home.It’s the first thing people see when they arrive, and ofte...
09/05/2026

A front door does a lot more than provide access to your home.

It’s the first thing people see when they arrive, and often one of the details that quietly shapes the character of a house.

Some homeowners prefer something simple and understated. Others use colour, texture or oversized detailing to make more of a statement. Neither is right or wrong - it really comes down to the style of the home and the personality of the people living there.

Interestingly, front doors have carried symbolic meaning for generations.

In Feng Shui, the front door is seen as the entry point for energy into the home. In early American history, a red door traditionally signalled hospitality and welcome. And in places like Dublin, brightly coloured doors became a way of distinguishing homes from one another.

Whether bold or minimal, traditional or contemporary, a front door is one of those small design decisions that can subtly influence how a home feels from the moment you arrive.

Address

Unit 2 29-31 Princes Street
Auckland
1061

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

Telephone

0800 223 324

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