Start with one written renovation brief
Describe the same proposed work to every builder. Include what should change, known site constraints, available drawings, target outcomes and decisions that remain open. The answers below are useful only when each builder is responding to comparable information.
A consistent conversation
Ten questions that ask for checkable answers
Question 1
Who will contract with me and who will run the work?
Ask for the legal name of the person or business you would contract with, plus the person authorised to answer day-to-day questions. Record who will supervise the site, who can approve changes and how you will reach them.
Question 2
What experience is relevant to this renovation?
Ask for recent examples that resemble your project in scope, occupied-home constraints and coordination needs. Request references you can contact, then ask those clients about communication, changes, defects and handover—not just the finished appearance.
Question 3
Which licences apply, and how can I verify them?
Do not assume every renovation requires the same licence class. Ask whether restricted building work is involved, who will carry out or supervise it and which current licence class applies. Verify any claimed Licensed Building Practitioner details in the public register.
Question 4
What exactly is included, excluded and still uncertain?
Give each builder the same dated scope, drawings and product information. Ask them to mark inclusions, exclusions, assumptions, provisional decisions and work assigned to other people. A clear answer should expose gaps before you compare proposals.
Question 5
Who is responsible for consents, inspections and records?
Ask who will identify required approvals, prepare applications, book inspections and collect completion records. The homeowner retains legal responsibilities, so record the agreed tasks instead of relying on an informal promise that the builder will handle everything.
Question 6
How will the programme and household disruption be managed?
Ask what must happen before the start date, which decisions can delay work and how subcontractors and deliveries are coordinated. Discuss access, security, dust, noise, service interruptions, pets, children and rooms that must remain usable.
Question 7
How will changes and hidden conditions be handled?
Ask for the written variation process before work begins. It should identify who can approve a change and how scope, timing and other consequences will be recorded. Also ask when work will pause if opening the building reveals an unexpected condition.
Question 8
What insurance, guarantees and warranties apply?
Ask for the contractor's disclosure information and read the scope, limits and exclusions of any insurance, guarantee or warranty described. Do not treat a logo, membership or verbal assurance as evidence of the cover that applies to your project.
Question 9
How will quality, defects and disagreements be addressed?
Ask how work will be checked before it is covered, how you can raise a concern and how defects will be recorded and remedied. Confirm the contract's dispute process and the people authorised to make decisions.
Question 10
What will I receive at handover?
Agree the completion test before starting. Ask which consent records, trade records, warranties, product information, maintenance instructions, approved variations and defect records will be handed over, and who is responsible for assembling them.
Verification checkpoint
Compare the evidence, not the sales style
After each conversation, record what was answered, what evidence was supplied and what remains unresolved. A confident answer is not the same as a current register entry, written scope, reference, disclosure statement or contract term.
- Use the same brief and question set for each candidate.
- Verify claimed licences in the official register.
- Read exclusions and responsibility boundaries closely.
- Keep dated copies of proposals and supporting records.
- Resolve material gaps before signing or authorising work.
Keep in mind
Important limitation
This is a conversation and evidence checklist, not legal, building-consent, engineering or trade advice. The people and approvals required depend on the actual project. Use the current official guidance and obtain qualified advice where your project needs it.
Next step
Prepare the same brief for every builder
Use the home renovation project brief checklist to organise scope, constraints, open decisions and responsibilities before comparing answers.
Source transparency
Official New Zealand sources checked
Continue planning
Related resources
Renovation planning stages checklist
Organise open decisions, records and responsibilities before work starts without relying on generic project timelines.
5 min read
Open checklistHome renovation project brief checklist
Organise outcomes, boundaries, constraints, open decisions and responsibilities before asking for proposals.
6 min read
Open checklist