building

Cladding sets the tone for your house as well as protecting it from the elements. We’ve rounded up the top options to consider before you dive in When planning a home renovation or new-build, many of us will spend hours umming and aahing over different shades of white paint or selecting the perfect kitchen benchtop […]

Granny flats have come into their own in as versatile dwellings with multiple uses. Here’s what you need to know As the world has reviewed what ‘normal life’ means over past few years, many of us have re-evaluated our living situations thanks to spending more time at home. We’re looking at our surroundings with new […]

Finding a builder you can trust is key for a successful project. Here are a few tips from Master Builders that will help you find the right builder for you We know building a new home or doing a major renovation is a big deal – you need a builder you can trust. Here are […]

There’s a trick to choosing a colour scheme that feels fresh and new – take advice from the experts who can see into the future Resene ‘Quarter Sandspit Brown’ One of the real bonuses of building a new home is your ability to conceive a decorating scheme that flows throughout the house. Unlike a renovation, when […]

Your flooring sets the tone for your entire house – these expert tips prove why you should design your home from the floor up Research, research, research. When you’re planning a home build or major renovation, you sometimes feel like you’re spending your life online and in showrooms, looking up different options so you can […]

With their site cleared and building underway, our homeowners Oliver and Ella have some big design decisions to make. We get the lowdown on stage two: Design and Planning    Not every couple gets a new house as a wedding present, but that’s kind of true for My New Home homeowners Oliver and Ella. Their […]

A new build can be a daunting task. We’ve pulled together five essential tips for a stress-free start  5 essential first steps to getting a new build off the ground 1. Set your budget. There’s no point buying an expensive piece of land if you can’t afford to build on it. Talk to your bank […]

When it comes to buying off-the-plan apartments, investing in an idea can be a difficult exercise. Here are a few things to be mindful of before you jump in 6 essential tips for buying off-the-plan apartments The recent boom in real estate prices has seen a massive increase in buyer confidence in purchasing apartments off […]

You’ve heard that you should choose a Registered Master Builder when building a new home or doing a major renovation, but do you know what it means to be a Registered Master Builder and what they can offer? This is why it’s better to choose a Registered Master Builder Registered Master Builders have been building […]

The journey to home ownership should be an enjoyable one, which is why Shelley Ferguson has made it her mission to find out how to make the process as stress free as possible. Here are five practical reasons why building new is the way to go 5 practical reasons why you should build new Building a […]

No two people are the same, so why should our houses be! We find out pros, cons and price of getting your home architecturally designed  The cost of building an architecturally designed home An architect can design a purpose-built home to suit you, especially if you have specific requirements or a difficult site. We have […]

Your Home and Garden chief sub editor Stephanie Attwater’s dream reno is for a veranda. We discover the short and long term solutions For now and forever solutions for a wrap around veranda “I’ve always been taken by those beautiful, wide porches on old North American homes, with wicker furniture and iced tea on tap. If […]

Your Home and Garden deputy editor, Kristina Rapley would love to have a walk-in pantry. We discover what her short and long term options are  For now and forever solutions for a walk-in pantry or scullery “I love cooking and I also love having a tidy kitchen – but those two things don’t always mix […]

Your Home and Garden art director, Shani Luckman’s dream is to have a mezzanine. We get the quick-fix and long-term solution worth saving for For now and forever solutions for a mezzanine floor Shani wants to maximise space in her house. She’d like to create the look of a high-pitched ceiling, under which she could […]

 A farming family decided to start from scratch rather than renovate – the results are a modern farmhouse that’s everything they dreamed of and more  “I’ve never really thought of myself as having a certain ‘style’ but for this home we wanted to go for a modern country look,” Sarah explains. “I wanted to mirror […]

Buying a leaky home can have devastating effects, not only on a family’s health but on the owner’s ability to on-sell the property and pay for repairs.  The last thing you want to hear is that your home contains a leak. Here are 10 signs to look out for… What is a leaky home? A leaky […]

Adding another level to a home requires some heavy-duty renovations. Here’s how to add a another level to your home the right way, plus how much it will cost, with expert advice from the professionals Why and how should you ‘pop the top’ and add another level to a house? There are at least four […]

Here, we quiz Troy Jury of Qualified Building Solutions (QBS) on price, timeframes and roof shouts 1 What questions should people ask when phoning a builder about a potential job? The first question should always be: “Are you licensed and what is your licence number?” Followed by, “Are you available over my ideal timeframe?” Also, […]

A good tradie is an invaluable renovation resource as they’ll save you time and money in the long-run with their building expertise. It’s imperative to set aside some time before the renovation starts to source a good tradie. Here’s how… First things first Ask around. If you can’t find a referral through your network, ask a reputable […]