Expert renovation design and management.
Transform your space with innovative renovation design.
We love nothing better than transforming the way you live using clever renovation design. At Design Solutions, we take time to understand how you need your home to function. Then we go to work, applying beautiful, functional design to create plans that turn your existing space into the home you’ve been dreaming of.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation, house extension or garage conversion – our experienced team of architectural designers and project managers will work alongside you, from design to consent, and specification to completion. We take the stress out of renovating.
End-to-end project support
Expert architectural design – for renovations of all sizes
As much as we love to design new houses, renovations have been our core business at Design Solutions for more than 20 years.
We get a kick out of seeing our clients’ lives transform when we take a space that just doesn’t work for them and turn it into something they love.
We work on renovations of all sizes – from small simple upgrades to whole-house overhauls.
Council consents handled for you
There are few situations we haven’t come across before when it comes to home renovations, making us highly experienced in navigating councils and the consenting process. Managing consents on your behalf is a part of our service that our clients value the most. Talk to us about how we navigate regulations and authorities for you to make your renovation hassle-free.
Cost effective project co-ordination. Complete transparency and control.
Good project management can make all the difference when it comes to completing your renovation on time and within budget.
Our team understand the potential hurdles in the renovation process, so we work with you to make sure they don’t trip you up.
You’ll have complete transparency and clear communication throughout your development. Renovating couldn’t be easier!
Kitchen Renovations – transform the hub of your home with us
For most of us, much of our lives at home centre around the kitchen. Making this a beautiful space that functions seamlessly can not only look great, it can also revolutionise the way you prepare meals and entertain guests.
We work with you to understand the way your household works around mealtimes and design spaces that deliver the make your kitchen a joy to use every day.
Refreshing your kitchen is also one of the best ways to add value to your home for resale. We create spaces that a kitchen designer can use to design your ultimate kitchen solution.
Come and chat to us about getting the most out of your kitchen today.
Bathroom Renovations – create a space you love
Bathrooms should be practical, but also tranquil and enjoyable.
We’ll help you turn your bathroom into a functional space that’s also a room you simply love being in.
Our project managers are highly experienced at navigating the complex regulations and consenting process for bathrooms.
We’ll help you remodel your space with minimum fuss and fantastic results.
Garage Conversions – expand your living space
When you need to gain space for an extra bedroom or living area, or perhaps you need to add a granny flat to your property – converting your garage is a great option.
Over our 20+ years, garage renovations have become one of the most common home extension projects we see and can be an extremely cost effective way to expand the usable footprint of your house.
Our team have a wealth of knowledge to help you create a garage design that works for you.
Whether you want to add a bathroom or to create living or entertainment rooms, we can help with fresh, innovative garage ideas to help you gain the space your family needs.
House Extensions
Pushing out, opening up, moving walls and letting the light flood in – we’ve got all the design tricks to create an extension to your home that will revolutionise the way you live.
Extending your house is a fantastic way to gain extra space, but achieving a result that really works for you and your household takes attention to detail.
Our approach centres around taking time to listen and learn – about the way you like to live, and the practical things you need your home to deliver.
Come and see us to talk about how we make your house extension work beautifully for your family.
What to expect when you start a new project
Our design and project management process has been refined over more than 20 years of experience on projects just like yours. We like to think we have it extremely well dialled in, and our team able to take on any challenge your project presents.
We’ve created our design process guide to give you a clear idea of what to expect when you embark on a new home development or renovation. We use this template as we step through your project, and we’ll work through it with you in our consultation meetings.
A guide to our design process:
STEP 1 - Design Brief
We meet with you to discuss what you have in mind for your project. We take your ideas and wish list and create a written scope of work. We use this as a base to work on the concept drawings. A more accurate, considered brief results in more refined concept plans so we like to spend time on this stage.
- There is also a feasibility option for site positioning at this stage.
- A quote for the concept drawing pack is then sent to you to approve.
- After that, a deposit invoice is sent and on payment of that, the project is moved into our workflow queue to start on a selected date.
STEP 2 - Concept Drawing Pack
The concept drawings are based on the design brief although we will suggest different ideas using our experience and design knowledge to achieve the best outcome for you.
- Once you're happy with these plans, a builder can be approached to provide a cost estimate.
- Other consultants may be required during this stage such as a surveyor or a CCTV drain inspection depending on the project requirements.
- Locking down the concept plans exactly as you want at the beginning will save money in the long run as it is costly to change the plans through the more detailed building consent drawing stage.
STEP 3 - Initial Costing
At this stage we encourage you to get some price indications from a builder(s). This will give you confidence that the building consent drawings will be within your budget. If these initial prices are too high, we can make changes to the drawings as part of the building consent pack.
STEP 4 - Resource Consent
Sometimes this extra step is required if the project infringes on the council’s development controls.
- We will provide the resource consent drawings and supporting reports to lodge this with council on your behalf.
- This step will be costed and provided to you before you commit to it. A quote for the building consent plan pack can be worked up at this stage and a contract sent to be signed if the quote is approved.
STEP 5 - Building Consent Plan Pack
To start this stage, there are usually other consultants required such as structural engineer, civil engineer, geotechnical engineer, truss designer and others. We can provide all of these services or you can source your own contacts.
- We will undertake a detailed site measure to make sure our base files are correct to work from.
- The detailed drawing pack is then drawn up and lodged with council once complete. We will answer any queries from council as it progresses through lodgement.
- Once it is approved, we download the documents for you and your builder to use.
STEP 6 - Construction
Let's Build Something Together
Our team of skilled architectural drafts-people design and coordinate building projects all-over Auckland and New Zealand. From new developments to house extensions and renovations, we can help you bring your build to life.
Come and see us for a coffee and a chat to discuss your project, or we can come to you. Our consultations are free.