Let’s forget about the costs for a minute. When considering bathroom alterations, the rules to comply with are the homeowner’s second-top concern. So, what you want answered before predicting how your finished renovation might look is: Do I need consent to renovate my bathroom in NZ?
If you hire a designer or a licensed building practitioner when planning a bathroom renovation in Auckland, they are likely to answer this question – and any other enquiries you may have along the way. Otherwise, checking with your local Council should be the starting point before proceeding with the planned works.
The quick takeaway homeowners can grab for basic jobs: If you envision maintenance repairs or installing a new unit in the footprint of an old one, you don’t need consent for your bathroom upgrade.
More structurally significant jobs can be trickier. Some decisions are up to the individual Council, rendering consent a grey area. Other changes and adding extras always require building consent due to a major shift away from the original room layout.
When do I need consent to renovate my bathroom in NZ?
If you’re about to revamp a space, the general scope and complexity of your project are the factors that may necessitate obtaining permits. When you are wondering, “Do I need consent to renovate my bathroom in NZ?” the very next question is whether the area is changing structurally or you plan to add new sanitary fixtures. Such works can’t be completed without consent.
Examples:
- Altering walls and doorways/removing walls to modify room size
- Partitioning off a space to add an ensuite
- Converting a room to an extra toilet or bathroom
- Wet area tiling
- Installing new drains
That said, taking out or moving fixtures without increasing their number lets you rearrange the bathroom layout with no consent needed. Thus, you can reposition a bath, replace it with a shower unit or move a toilet within an existing space. Repairs, minor alterations and extensions to drains require no consent but must be done or supervised by an authorised specialist.
Bottom line
In short, revamping an outdated bathroom to give it a modern appeal or replacing something like-for-like without an increase in plumbing fixtures comes with no extra hassle of applying for a consent.
Adding another bathroom to your floor plan, converting a closet or laundry room to a bathroom or expanding your home to have multiple bathrooms are all extensive jobs. However, the benefits outweigh the extra expenses and time for getting a building consent.
Whether you keep your upgrades simple or go for a new bathroom in Auckland, it will enhance your home’s value and add functionality and comfort. Outdated spaces are perceived as unsanitary and are a turnoff for most buyers. Let us guess: you don’t want that.
Another popular idea is to renovate your bathroom with a ‘sanctuary’ mindset inspired by the latest ‘spa-like’ or ‘cocooning’ trends. This may call for space reconfiguration, so you do need tips to renovate a bathroom in NZ.
Anyway, view it as a starting point for your dream bathroom rather than an inconvenience.
