Renovations, Additions and Alterations - Building Guide NZ (2024)

Renovations are an update to an existing building or a return to a new condition. An alteration is a change to an existing building. An addition is adding to an existing building.

Most people consider any combination of the three to be a renovation, however.

Renovations, Additions and Alterations - Building Guide NZ (1)

The design of whatever addition you do can be a difficult process. Because there is already an existing building, whatever you do must complement what is there. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to imitate the design of the existing building, but any new addition needs to be sympathetic – and this is where a design professional can help you considerably.

Things to Consider include:

  • Matching the style and materials already used in the house or adding something that is different (but still, ideally, complementary)
  • Is it time to change elements in the old house, for instance wooden to aluminium joinery; updating bathroom fittings, new tiles
  • Adding new technologies, such as computer cabling or underfloor heating if replacing tiles (highly recommended)
  • Moving walls
  • Retro-fit insulation (highly recommended)
  • Adding storage (highly recommended)
  • Do you really want to match light fittings and bathroomware to the old style prevalent in the house or should you use modern items?

Hidden problems of Renovations

Bathrooms are particularly susceptible to issues around water leaks, but the Leaky Homes issue in recent years has shown that leaks are not restricted to this area. Poor workmanship in previous renovations or even the original build may have serious implications for the work you’re planning.

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These are items you may be mentally and emotionally prepared for, but when the reality hits and your budgets are blown out, things may be quite different. Be aware that there may well be nasty surprises so make sure you have contingency in your budget.

Keeping that warning in mind, renovating or adding to your house can be an exciting and very rewarding exercise. You already know the good and bad points to your home. If you like where you live, then improving the house you already know so well can dramatically improve your quality of life and improve its capital value.

Renovations Asbestos Warning:

Many NZ houses built between 1940 and 1990 have asbestos in the building products used – lino being one example, fibrolite and textured ceilings. Generally there is limited danger if the material is not touched but if you’re wanting to remove materials and your house is of this vintage, make sure you test for asbestos before doing any demolition works.

Renovations, Additions and Alterations - Building Guide NZ (3)
Renovations, Additions and Alterations - Building Guide NZ (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between an alteration and an addition? ›

An alteration is a change to an existing building. An addition is adding to an existing building.

What is the difference between an alteration and a remodel? ›

Businesses renovate, remodel, or alter their spaces all the time. The ADA uses the term “alteration” to mean any change to an existing building or facility that affects usability. This includes remodeling, renovation, rearrangements in structural parts, and changes or rearrangement of walls and full-height partitions.

What does building additions and alterations mean? ›

Answer: In your policy under Additional Coverages, it has section 10, Building Additions and Alterations. This is designed to provide coverage for improvements or betterments made at the expense of the insured to the parts of the premises used exclusively by the insured.

What is A&A Works? ›

Addition and Alteration (A&A) works involve minor changes to the building structure, and could involve issues such as modifying the roof structure, installing additional roofing or staircases, adding partition and renovating heritage buildings.

Why is alteration so expensive? ›

New clothes start with freshly measured and cut pieces, and are assembled in a pre-defined, efficient order. Altering clothes takes time to review the construction, take apart a section of the garment (or sometimes the entire garment), make the alteration, then reassemble it correctly for the right fit.

What are some examples of alteration? ›

a change, usually a slight change, in the appearance, character, or structure of something:
  • Several police officers are being questioned about the alteration of the documents.
  • The house needed extensive alterations when we moved in.
  • Some alterations to our original plans might be necessary.

What are the four different types of alterations? ›

Average Cost Range by Alteration Type
Type of AlterationAverage Cost Range
Hemming$10 – $30
Taking In or Letting Out$15 – $50
Patching$10 – $40
Replacing Findings (Buttons, Zippers, etc.)$8 – $20

What is considered a major alteration? ›

FAR 1 defines a major alteration as an alteration not listed in the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller specifications that might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, power plant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness or that is not done ...

What does alteration include? ›

Alterations include, but are not limited to, remodeling, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, historic restoration, resurfacing of circulation paths or vehicular ways, changes or rearrangement of the structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangement in the plan configuration of walls and full-height ...

What are alterations and additions? ›

Where you are seeking to make changes to an existing property, and those changes do not alter the property in such a way as to make it substantially different from the original, these works will be classified as alterations and additions.

What are building additions called? ›

Also known as: room additions, second-story additions, adding-on, add-on home, addition to home, building an addition, addition building.

What to consider when building an addition? ›

Questions to Ask Before Adding On
  • How would you design your house if you were building it new? ...
  • Will the addition add value to your home? ...
  • Is there a lower-cost way to get what you want? ...
  • Are there any zoning restrictions to consider? ...
  • How will your addition tie into the house?

How long does A&A take? ›

For Additions and Alterations (A&A), think 4-8 months, and for a full rebuild, we're talking about a year.

What is the difference between A&A and reconstruction? ›

Addition and Alteration: This is the least major type of rebuilding and involves minor changes to the existing house. It involves adding or altering certain areas without completely replacing it. This option is usually cheaper than reconstruction or rebuilding but may not offer as much options or flexibility.

What does A&A stand for in construction? ›

You are required to get Conservation Permission if you are carrying out conservation works and additions & alterations (A&A) to a building within a conservation area. This process is dependent on whether the works require a submission of plans to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) for approval.

What is an addition and alteration in an existing building? ›

Addition and Alteration means addition to the floor area of a building and re-flooring or re-roofing or re-construction of any kind.

What constitutes an alteration? ›

Meaning of alteration in English. a change, usually a slight change, in the appearance, character, or structure of something: Several police officers are being questioned about the alteration of the documents. The house needed extensive alterations when we moved in.

What is alteration in math? ›

Definition. A morphism f : W → V of algebraic varieties is called an alteration if it is surjective, generically finite, and proper. Such a morphism is a closed map which is “almost everywhere” finite-to-one. Theorem. Let K be a field, and let V be an algebraic variety over K.

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