So you want to do up your bathroom?
It is one of the most common renovation projects we see, and one of the most misunderstood when it comes to the legal requirements involved. We hear the same opening line from clients again and again: we are thinking about updating our bathroom; where do we even start?
So we thought it was time to write it all down.
The thing most people do not know.
Here's something that surprises almost every homeowner we speak to - any work involving new waterproofing in a bathroom, ensuite, laundry or kitchen legally requires a building consent in New Zealand.
A full renovation, a new shower, a retile - if new waterproofing membrane is being laid, consent is required by law.
This isn't bureaucracy for the sake of it. Waterproofing failures are one of the most common and costly defects in New Zealand homes, and the consent process exists to make sure the work is done properly and documented correctly.
What happens when consent is skipped.
We are called in for this more often than you would think. Clients who have struggled to get insurance because of unconsented bathroom work, and plenty who did a quick do up to sell, only to find it worked against them.
A bathroom without consent behind it becomes a hindrance at exactly the wrong moment. It has to be disclosed, buyers see a problem rather than a finished room, and the work that was meant to add value takes it away instead.
The good news is that with the right team, none of this has to be complicated.
We make it the easiest part of the job.
This is exactly the kind of project we love helping clients with. It is straightforward, the outcome is clear, and we can make the whole process genuinely painless.
Here is what our bathroom consent service covers:
A site visit to understand your project and take accurate measurements
Full architectural drawings prepared to Auckland Council standard
A complete building consent application prepared and submitted on your behalf
Ongoing management of your application through to approval
From first contact to council submission, we turn this around in under a month. Council processing time sits outside our control, since Auckland Council sets their own timeframes, but we manage every step of your application to give it the best possible chance of a smooth and prompt approval.
What it costs
We know cost is always the first question, so here it is upfront.
Our bathroom consent plans start from less than $5,000* in architectural fees, for projects of any scale, across all of Auckland. More complex projects may vary, but we will always be transparent about that from the very first conversation.
*Architectural fees only.
A recent example, the Sandringham Bungalow
This 1920s Sandringham bungalow is a project we are really proud of. The existing bathroom was reimagined and a new ensuite introduced to the master suite, working carefully within the heritage character of the home.
Small in scale. Quietly transformative in effect. And fully consented from the start.
Want to know what is possible with your bathroom?
If you are thinking about a bathroom renovation, even at the early stages, we would love to have a conversation. There is no commitment involved in reaching out, and we are always happy to talk through what is involved before you decide on anything.
Your bathroom, perfected and consented properly.
Get in touch with the Macfie Architecture team today.