Do I need a building consent for a house extension?

In most cases, yes. Some small work can be exempt, but it depends on what's proposed. We'll confirm the likely pathway for your project.

Do I need existing plans?

They help. If they aren't available from you or the council property file, we can arrange a measure-up.

Do you take every renovation project?

We focus on new residential work and take selected extensions and alterations where the scope suits the practice.

Home extensions & renovations

Home extension and renovation plans, done properly.

Adding space or reworking an existing home means designing around what's already there — structure, cladding, weathertightness and how the new spaces connect to the old.

Start your project

The service

Extensions & Renovations with Nator Architecture

Adding space or reworking an existing home means designing around what's already there — structure, cladding, weathertightness and how the new spaces connect to the old.

We take on selected extension and alteration projects where the scope is a good fit, from concept through to consent documentation.

Led by Timmy Nator, LBP (Design) Class 1, with around 15 years of residential design experience. Available throughout New Zealand, with remote delivery where appropriate.

Who it's for

Owners adding bedrooms or living space
Second-storey additions
Major internal reconfigurations
Garage conversions and sleepouts

Scope

What's typically included

Measure-up and existing-condition review
Concept options for the addition
Consent pathway check
Building consent drawings
Engineering coordination
Council RFI support

Scope is agreed in writing for each project. Council fees and consultant fees are separate.

New Zealand considerations

What to know before you start

Do you need consent?

Most extensions need building consent. Some minor work is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, but exemptions have specific conditions. We check before design starts.

Existing building

Alterations must comply with the Building Code, and the existing building must continue to meet certain requirements, such as means of escape and accessibility, where relevant.

Licensed design

Design of restricted building work must be carried out or supervised by a suitably licensed Licensed Building Practitioner (Design) or other authorised professional. Timmy Nator is an LBP (Design) Class 1 with around 15 years of residential design experience, and Nator Architecture is an architectural design practice, not a registered architect practice. Work is taken on within the scope of that licence; structural, geotechnical and other specialist engineering is provided by independent consultants where a project requires it.

Questions

Common questions

Start your project

Tell us about your site

Send the property location, what you want to build and your approximate budget. An enquiry is not a formal site assessment.

Related services