Outdoor Renovation Tips to Make the Most of Auckland Climate

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OUTDOOR RENOVATIONS

Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, has a pleasant and temperate climate that makes it ideal for outdoor life.

With lengthy summers and warm winters, Auckland residents have plenty of opportunities to make the most of their outside area.

There are several alternatives to consider when renovating your outdoor living space in Auckland, ranging from garden design and landscaping to decking and outdoor entertainment spaces.

In this article, we’ll give professional advice and costs for developing a beautiful and useful backyard that you can enjoy all year.

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If you get the landscape right, the characters will step out of it, and they'll be in the right place.

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START WITH A PLAN

Before you commence any outdoor/landscaping renovations, you should make a plan.

Decide how you want to utilise your outside area and which features are most essential to you.

Do you want a location to entertain friends and family, a place for your kids to play, or a quiet hideaway for relaxation and meditation?

Tip: When you’ve decided your priorities, collaborate with a professional landscaper or garden designer to develop a plan that will help you reach your objectives.

INCORPORATE LANDSCAPING

Landscaping is an essential component of any outdoor restoration project. 

Landscaping not only beautifies and adds visual interest to your outside area, but it can also serve to provide seclusion, improve drainage, and even boost the value of your home.

While selecting plants for your landscaping, keep Auckland’s climate in mind. Use tough plants, such as New Zealand flax, cabbage trees, and native ferns, that can resist the city’s periodic severe rainfall and high winds.

Tip: If you’re unsure where to begin, try hiring a professional landscaper to assist you select the correct plants for your location.

outdoor renovation

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Hiring a landscape designer in Auckland might be a game changer for your outdoor improvement project.

A landscape designer can contribute skill, creativity, and local climate knowledge to your project, ensuring that your outside area is not just beautiful but also useful and sustainable.

Working with a landscape designer can also help you save time and energy. They may oversee the whole project, from design to installation, and collaborate with other specialists such as builders and electricians to ensure that everything is done correctly.

A landscape designer would usually start by analysing your outside space and discussing your aims and preferences for the space.

They may assist you in developing a coherent design plan that considers aspects such as soil type, drainage, and sun exposure. They may also select plantings that will grow in Auckland’s particular environment, resulting in a garden that will thrive all year.

Moreover, landscape designers can assist you in creating a useful and easy-to-maintain outside area. They may propose materials and fixtures that are suited for Auckland’s environment and will withstand the weather, as well as design layouts that use less water and require less upkeep.

Tip: Ultimately, engaging a landscape designer for your outdoor restoration project in Auckland may be a smart investment. You can design an outdoor environment that is attractive, useful, and sustainable with their help, and that will provide you delight for years to come.

CREATE A FOCAL POINT

Every outdoor area needs a focal point, whether it’s a magnificent water feature, a comfortable fire pit, or a striking sculpture.

A focal point pulls attention and adds visual appeal to your outdoor space, making it feel more inviting and engaging.

Consider the size of your outdoor area as well as the general design of your home when selecting a focal point for your outdoor space.

A massive, contemporary sculpture can appear out of place in a modest, traditional garden, while a little water feature might get lost in a vast, sprawling outdoor space.

Tip: Choose a focal point that suits the style and size of your area with the help of a professional designer or landscaper.

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INSTALL A DECK

A deck is an adaptable and useful addition to any outdoor area. A deck may provide the ideal environment for BBQ and entertaining friends and family, as well as a peaceful area for morning coffee.

Consider the Auckland climate while selecting materials for your deck. Use materials that can survive the city’s severe rains and high winds, such as treated pine, hardwoods, or composite decking.

Tip:

CREATE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

Covered patios, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens are popular outdoor living areas in Auckland. Because of Auckland’s warm temperature, these places provide a comfortable and useful environment for outdoor entertaining and leisure.

Consider the size of your outdoor area as well as the general style of your home when designing an outdoor living space.

A tiny patio with a bistro table and chairs are ideal for a small, urban backyard, but a huge pergola with a built-in BBQ and outdoor seating is ideal for a larger property.

Tip: Collaborate with a skilled contractor to ensure that your outdoor living area is designed and built to your specifications and to survive Auckland’s weather.

outdoor living

ADD OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Each outdoor renovation project typically includes outdoor lighting. It not only provides safety and security, but it may also add visual flair and create a welcoming ambience.

Consider the style of your home and the outside environment when selecting outdoor lighting.

Path lights (up-lights), LED spotlights, and accent lights are among the several forms of outdoor lighting available.

It’s also crucial to consider light placement, taking into account the natural flow of foot traffic as well as the unique characteristics of your home and outdoor area.

Outdoor lighting may add value to your house and improve your enjoyment of your outside spaces with proper planning and installation.

Tip: Collaborate with a professional lighting designer to select the appropriate fixtures and construct a lighting scheme that will improve and create a welcoming environment in your outdoor space.

Outdoor Lighting suppliers –

COSTS OF OUTDOOR RENOVATIONS IN AUCKLAND

Summary of costs

The cost of an outdoor renovation project in Auckland varies greatly based on the size of your outdoor area, the scope of the job, and the materials and fixtures you select. 

While planning for your outdoor renovation project, keep in mind not just the initial expenditures but also the long-term maintenance and upkeep costs.

A high-end composite deck, for example, maybe more expensive upfront, but it will require less care and have a longer lifespan than a hardwood deck.

  • Landscaping: $5,000-$25,000
  • Deck installation: $3,000-$15,000
  • Outdoor living space construction: $10,000-$50,000
  • Lighting installation: $500-$5,000

Tip: To acquire an exact quote for your unique outdoor project, you should engage with a competent contractor or designer.

Landscaping

One of the most typical outdoor renovation projects in Auckland is landscaping.

Depending on the size of your outdoor area and the complexity of the project, landscaping may cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.

The design, excavation, planting, and any hardscaping, such as retaining walls, pathways, or water features, are all included in this price.

Deck installation

Another common outdoor renovation project in Auckland is deck installation.

Deck installation costs between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the size of the deck and the materials used.

A basic hardwood deck will cost less than a high-end composite deck with built-in chairs and lights.

Outdoor Renovation – living space construction

The cost of constructing a more extensive outdoor living space, such as an outdoor kitchen or entertainment area, might be more.

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the cost of building an outdoor living area might range from $10,000 to $50,000.

When you undertake more than a simple outdoor renovation, such as a small extension, you will probably require building consent, if structural work is required. This will inevitably increase your budget.

Typically, you will need around $85,000 – $110,000+ (depending on the scope of work) to create the indoor-outdoor flow. This would include replacing some windows and installing bi-fold doors, creating a deck and outside space, and repainting where required.

Outdoor lighting

Lastly, outdoor lighting is a crucial component of any Auckland outdoor makeover project.

Lighting installation might cost between $500 and $5,000, depending on the size of your outdoor area and the number and type of lights you select.

SUMMARY

Auckland’s warm and temperate climate makes it ideal for outdoor life. 

There are several alternatives to consider whether designing a quiet outdoor hideaway, a functional outdoor entertainment place, or a beautiful garden sanctuary.

You can build a beautiful and practical outdoor space that you can enjoy all year long by following this expert advice and working with a professional contractor or designer.

OUTDOOR RENOVATION FAQS

  • How much does it cost to build a deck with Pine?
    Typically, the cost of building a deck with Pine can range from around $190 to $350 per m2.
  • How much does it cost to build a deck with Kwila?
    Typically, the cost of building a deck with Kwila can range from around $250 to $450 per m2.
  • Can I increase my deck without council permission?
    For New Zealand, whether you require permission to extend your deck is determined on the specifics of your property and the intended deck extension. If the deck expansion will be less than 1.5 metres above ground level and will not be linked to a dwelling or structure, you will most likely not require permission to build it. If the deck will be linked to a home or structure, or if the addition will be more than 1.5 metres above ground level, you will almost certainly need to get a council consent. Also, you may be required to follow local zoning requirements, as well as limits on the placement of the deck and the materials to be used.
  • Do I need building consent if my deck is 1.8 meters above the ground?
    Yes, a building consent is required as the proposed deck is higher than 1.5 metres.
  • Do I need resource consent if my proposed deck is within 1 metre of the side / back boundary?
    Yes, you need a resource consent.
  • If my deck is 1.5m above the ground do I need a balustrade?
    Yes, a safety barrier/balustrade is required

If you need help with your outdoor renovations, contact us and arrange for a free consultation. At Style Plus Renovations, we will help you achieve your renovation goals!

Whilst all information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.

The information may change without notice and Style Plus Renovations is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.

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YOUR RENOVATION PROJECT

Tel us about your renovation project and we’ll call you back for a no-obligation chat about your ideas.

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We look forward to hearing from you to discuss your project and get you started on your renovation journey.

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