Frequently Asked Questions

Building or renovating your home is a significant investment — financially, practically, and personally. It’s a process that comes with a lot of moving parts, and getting it right starts with having clear, reliable information.

We’ve pulled together the questions we’re most often asked by clients planning a new build, undertaking a renovation or wanting to complete a smaller building project. From understanding costs and timelines through to managing risk and selecting the right builder, this guide is here to give you straightforward, practical insight.

If you’d like to see the kind of work we deliver across Auckland, you can also explore our recent projects for real-world examples of our craftsmanship.

If you’re just starting out, this is a good place to get a clear picture of what’s involved — and how to move forward with confidence, knowing your budget, timeline, and end result are being properly considered from day one by our team.

  • We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're undertaking a small building project or a new home build, we can do it all. Our services include but are not limited to;

    • New builds

    • Home + commercial renovations

    • Home extensions

    • Deck + fence + patio builds

    • Bathroom + kitchen renovations

    • Floor fitting and repairs

    • Roofing

    • New joinery installation

    • Existing joinery repairs

    • Weather tightness issues

    • Exterior + interior structural repairs

    • Demolition

    • Handyman tasks

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we can offer either of the following:

    A transparent + detailed quote with no hidden costs. This type of pricing is suitable for;

    • Cost certainty from the outset – You know the total price before construction begins, which makes budgeting and financing much more straightforward.

    • When there is a clear scope and expectations – A fixed quote is based on detailed plans and specifications, helping minimise ambiguity and keep everyone aligned on what’s included.

    Charge-up contract (cost of labour + materials + margin). This type of pricing is suitable for;

    • When the scope isn’t fully defined at the start (common in renovations or complex builds).

    • There’s a higher likelihood of changes during construction

    • Flexibility is more important than locking in a fixed price

  • City of Sails Construction is a member of New Zealand Certified Builders. Being NZCB certified means that City of Sails Construction is trade qualified with a strong history of stability and success.

    This means we have Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee (Halo Guarantee) protects you after the building process, and for the next 10 years.

  • You can reach us anytime via:

    We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or give us a a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

    Having an idea of the scope of your project is really helpful to get things started. We’ll ask for information like:

    • Square meterage of your project area

    • Age / era / type of building

    • Photos, drawings or mock-ups of the project. AI mock-ups can really help here!

    • Ideal start and completion date

    • An approximate budget for the project

  • We are an Auckland-owned business with over 50 years of collective experience in our team. We understand that the process of building or renovating can be a deeply personal experience that requires not only building skills, but people skills as well. Our team will show up and listen and work with you to get it right, every time.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving so you end up with the desired outcome to your building projects.

  • The cost of building a home in Auckland can vary widely. It depends on factors like the size of the home, site conditions, design complexity, and the level of finish you’re aiming for.

    As a general guide:

    • Architectural new builds often start from around $4,500–$6,500+ per m²

    • High-end homes with bespoke detailing can exceed $7,500+ per m²

    • Challenging sites, heritage constraints, or complex engineering requirements will push costs higher

    The best way to get a clear, reliable figure is to involve your builder early. That way, the design can be aligned with your budget from the beginning, helping avoid surprises and keeping the project on track.

  • Costs can vary depending on what we uncover and the level of finish, but as a guide:

    • Full home renovations typically sit between $3,500–$6,500+ per m²

    • Villas and bungalows often come in higher due to structural upgrades and heritage work

    • Extensions and additions depend heavily on site access and foundation requirements

    With older homes, there’s usually more going on behind the walls. That’s why we always recommend allowing a contingency — it keeps the project moving when the unexpected shows up.

  • It depends on the property, your budget, and what you’re trying to achieve.

    Renovating is often the right choice if the home has good bones, character features worth keeping, or you’re in a location where rebuilding isn’t practical. It can add strong value, but older homes can come with unknowns that need to be managed along the way.

    Building new gives you a clean slate. You’ll get a more predictable build process, modern performance, and a layout designed specifically for how you live — but it can come with higher upfront costs, consent requirements, and longer timeframes.

    In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We look at each project on its own — the condition of the home, site constraints, and your goals — and give you clear advice on which option will deliver the best outcome.m description

  • Not necessarily.

    Many projects start with a builder. From there, we can help bring in the right architect or designer based on your scope, budget, and what you’re trying to achieve.

    We have worked with some amazing architects in the past, like Felicity Brenchly who designed our Grand Designs Build.

    Starting this way helps keep the design grounded in real-world build costs from the beginning — so you’re not investing time into concepts that don’t stack up financially later.