ISLAND BAY, WELLINGTON

When Jeanette reached out, her initial plan was a partial reclad to prepare her classic 1910's bungalow for sale. With her daughters grown, she was ready for a change but was concerned that the fibre cement cladding on an extension at the back of the property might deter buyers.

As we walked through the home, we asked if she’d considered upgrading her 1970's kitchen as well, after all, a refreshed kitchen can make a big impact on resale value. Her response? “This is my budget, with absolutely no contingency, so if you think you can get me a kitchen and a reclad for that amount, then go for it.” Challenge accepted!

Before & After

Budget-friendly kitchen upgrade

With a tight budget, we had to get creative. A fresh, neutral white kitchen kept costs down while appealing to future buyers. We suggested Jeanette source stylish but affordable hardware online, which our joiners happily installed. We brought in our amazing team of subtrades and worked with JB Kitchens to design a custom kitchen with broad market appeal. A sleek custom glass splashback replaced traditional tiling, adding a modern touch while saving on installation costs. Jeanette even got hands-on with plastering and painting. Her DIY skills helped stretch the budget further, allowing for a much-needed kitchen island revamp and new bi-fold doors to upgrade the pantry.

The layout also got a smart tweak. The original bathroom door opened directly into the kitchen, so we flipped it. By removing an old hot water cupboard in the laundry, we created a new bathroom entrance tucked discreetly off the hallway.

Recladding & a few surprises

As with many older homes, we uncovered some unexpected surprises. When we opened up the cladding, it was clear that previous work done by another builder was not only subpar, but also incomplete. Rather than simply covering up the issues, we reallocated part of the interior budget to make things right. We replaced the old windows with new double-glazed joinery, remediated what had been missed and brought the rear section of the house up to standard. The situation was so serious that we’re now helping Jeanette navigate a resolution with the previous builder.

Despite these hurdles, we still delivered on the original budget and timeframe, something Jeanette appreciated as she was living on-site throughout the renovation. Now, with a newly reclad and glazed rear wing, a brand-new custom kitchen and a functional entrance to the bathroom, she's so happy that she's decided to stay and enjoy her newly invigorated home for a while longer.

”I employed Peaky Builders Ltd to carry out the renovation of my kitchen, as well as the complete replacement of the weatherboarding and windows on the back wing of my house and I am absolutely astounded at the exceptional job that they have done from start to finish. The entire team, including the subtrades that Peaky Builders brought in to complete all of the work, have far exceeded all of my expectations on every level and that is why I will continue to employ Peaky Builders for any and all future building work that I have planned.”

- Jeanette Sweet

Our trusted suppliers & sub trades

Joinery: JB Kitchens

Electrical: Illuminex Electrical

Plumbing: Tomgas Ltd