If you’re like most Kiwi homeowners, you don’t just want a pretty home – you want the money you put into it to come back out when you sell. The tricky bit? Not every renovation adds value. Some upgrades are basically burning cash; others are absolute winners.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 7 smart renovations that can genuinely increase the value and liveability of your home – without blowing the budget or overcapitalising.
1. Kitchen Renovations That Actually Pay Off
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home for a reason. Buyers are looking for open, social kitchens that connect to dining or living areas.
High-value upgrades:
- Replacing tired benchtops with quality laminate, engineered stone, or similar
- Updating old appliances to modern, energy-efficient models
- Adding better storage (pull-out pantries, deep drawers, corner solutions)
- Improving lighting: task lighting over benches, warm ambient lighting over tables
RBT TIP!
You don’t always need to move walls. Sometimes, reworking cabinetry, adding a breakfast bar, or creating a pass-through to the dining area is enough to transform how the space feels.
2. Bathroom Upgrades That Don’t Blow the Budget
Bathrooms are where buyers see hygiene and quality. A tired, mouldy, or cramped bathroom can drag your whole property down.
High-value upgrades:
- Re-tilling showers and wet areas, especially if grout is stained or cracked
- Installing modern tapware and a quality shower mixer
- Swapping out old vanities for wall‑hung units with storage
- Improving ventilation to prevent long‑term moisture and mould issues
3. Outdoor Living
Outdoor living is a massive drawcard, especially in Northern regions. Buyers love usable, sheltered spaces that extend the living area.
High-value upgrades:
- Adding or upgrading a deck or patio
- Installing a pergola, louvre system, or covered area for all‑weather use
- Outdoor lighting and power points
- Easy flow from indoor living/kitchen to the deck
RBT TIP!
Focus on connection – a decent slider from the kitchen or living out to the deck often gives more value than an isolated “nice deck” at the back of the section.
4. Street Appeal – First Impressions
Potential buyers often decide how they feel about a property in the first 10 seconds. Street appeal doesn’t have to mean full re-cladding – it’s often a series of smaller upgrades.
High-value upgrades:
- Fresh paint or stain on tired cladding or timber joinery
- New front door or simply repainting the existing one in a bold colour
- Tidy, low‑maintenance landscaping and edging
- Fixing cracked paths, steps, or leaning fences
5. Fixing Problem Areas the Right Way
No buyer wants to inherit someone else’s moisture or rot problems. Sorting this properly doesn’t just protect your family – it can save a sale later..
If you’re not sure how to spot problem areas, read our article; What are Leaky Homes?
High-value Remedial Work:
- Properly diagnosing the source of leaks
- Replacing affected framing and cladding to code
- Upgrading flashings, joinery, and weather‑tightness details
- Obtaining the right consent and documentation
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This is one area where cutting corners will bite you later. We always recommend a proper investigation and solution, not a cosmetic patch.
6. Smart Layout Tweaks
You don’t need a full new build to make an older home feel modern. Sometimes, removing or adding a single wall can completely change how the home works.
Examples:
- Opening small, closed‑off kitchens to the dining/lounge
- Creating an open‑plan kitchen/dining/living while keeping a snug or second lounge
- Turning awkward nooks into functional studies or storage
7. Energy Efficiency & Warmth
Buyers are increasingly clued‑up about warm, dry, efficient homes. Practical improvements here make a real difference to both comfort and value.
If you’re not sure what value efficient heating adds, read our article; What Does it Really Cost to Heat Your Home?
High-return Upgrades:
- Improving insulation (ceiling, underfloor, and walls if accessible)
- Upgrading older single‑glazed joinery to double glazing or better
- Installing efficient heating (heat pumps, wood burners to spec)
- Ventilation systems in moisture-prone homes
Ready to renovate, but not sure where to start - or what will actually add value?
At RB Thomas, we’ve been helping homeowners upgrade kitchens, bathrooms, cladding, and outdoor areas for over a decade. We’ll help you prioritise the right work, and stay on budget.
