This summer has been a busy one for the Wolfkamp family. While others were bathing and belly-flopping at the beach, I was head down working hard on our family home. We live in a traditional Devonport Villa. The big Reno was done 15+ years ago, when we pushed out the back of the [...]
I hit a pretty big milestone this year. It could have slipped under the radar quite happily, but coinciding with the filming of season 5 of The Block NZ ensured that reaching the half century mark didn't occur subtly. There was cake to be had, and no that is not our family wolf in the [...]
Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp discusses changes in the Residential Tenancy Act and how these affect Landlords and Property Managers - make sure you are ready come 1st July 2016.
As time goes by everyone’s needs change, none more so than our kids. As parents we can manage some of these changes with creative thinking, such as giving your little ones clothes a couple sizes up so there is room to grow into them. Others are a bit more frustrating, like finding yourself spending hours [...]
Following on from the Demolition article, I thought that I would take a look at what to do while the walls are open. Substantial renovations, extensions and new builds offer an unexpected opportunity for most home owners. Given the great technological growth of the last few decades, and accepting the fact that the bulk of [...]
While inspiration or necessity might be the spark for a renovation, the fuel that keeps the project moving forward is the planning and preparation. Broadly speaking, all building projects, regardless of size, require two crucial areas of planning. There is the planning needed to satisfy any building regulations and requirements set out by Government and [...]
The well publicised changes to the Building Act and the introduction of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme have and will make a significant impact on the way homes are built and renovated in New Zealand. It has also introduced some new terminology and phrases into the building language. Licensed Building Practitioners (LBP) are now required [...]
In general, we should accept that the bulk of New Zealand’s housing stock was built before 1978. The reason I choose this date it that it marks the year when insulation in walls become part of the Building Code. As I mention in the “Walls” article, stripping off the interior lining provides the perfect opportunity [...]
This is a topic dear to my heart, and I make no apologies for it. I have a real passion for old houses, be they character heritage homes lovingly restored or decrepit piles standing only because the borer are holding hands. Part of their attraction to me, and many others who commit to their ownership [...]
While much time and energy (and money) is spent during a renovation on many things you cannot see when the job is done, the paint finish is always on display. Potential buyers or curious friends will look closely at walls and ceilings, cast a critical eye over the cutting in and stand back to see if [...]
