Frequently Asked Questions
I’VE NEVER BUILT BEFORE, WHERE DO I START?
Start by giving us a call, with 50 years of experience in the building industry. You can trust us to give you the best advice and to guide you through the entire building process.
AT WHAT STAGE DO I INVOLVE A BUILDER?
It always pays to get your builder involved early. Simple advice from a Master Builder when making critical decisions like choosing a section, architectural style, plans and building materials can save a lot of hassle later on.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SELECT A MASTER BUILDER?
Only a Master Builder can provide you comfort in the knowledge that your Master builder is trade qualified and offers the protection of consumer friendly building contracts. With a Master Builder, you will also be provided with the 10 year Master Builders Guarantee.
DOES MY BUILDER NEED TO BE A LICENSED BUILDING PRACTITIONER?
Building rules help you build it right – protecting you and your home now and when you come to sell it. As the homeowner, some of these rules affect the choices you make.
If your building work is critical to the integrity of your home, it may be restricted building work. This type of work ensures a property is structurally sound and weathertight.
You must use a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) to design or carry out restricted building work.
An LBP must do or supervise this work.If you need an LBP, a quick check on line will tell you if someone’s licensed.
DO I NEED A BUILDING CONSENT?
If you are carrying out building work you may need to apply for a building consent.
Here are some examples of work that requires consent:
- Any structural building including new buildings, additions, alterations, accessory buildings (sheds), and re-piling
- Plumbing and drainage
- Heating (fireplaces), ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Siteworks for a building
- Retaining walls higher than 1.5 metres, or retaining walls with a building or driveway near the top
- Fences higher than 2.5 metres and any swimming pool fence
- Swimming pools
- Decks more than 1.5 metres from ground level
If in doubt we recommend you ring your local Council and discuss your project with them.
DO I GET A GUARANTEE?
YES YOU DO! The full 10 years Master Builders Guarantee will cover you for:
- Loss of deposit
- Non-completion of the dwelling
- Structural defects for 10 years
- Non-structural defects for 2 years
ARE THE GUARANTEES TRANSFERABLE IF I SELL MY HOME?
Yes your guarantee can generally be transferred to the new home owner. Application for the transfer must be made within 30 days of settlement. Having the guarantee gives the buyer peace of mind and will help to sell your home.
HOW DO WE PAY FOR THE BUILDING PROJECT?
You pay on a progress payment system as detailed in your building agreement. One advantage of full contract is you only need to make payments to one company and payments are made at specific stages of the project. When you receive a written contract quote, we will provide you with a payment schedule and also a construction schedule so you know what to expect and when to expect it.
CAN I MAKE CHANGES DURING THE BUILDING PROJECT?
We welcome you to make any changes you would like to enhance your home. Any requests by yourselves incurring extra labour and/or material costs will be treated as a variation to the contract. All variations will be costed and presented to you for approval authorising the builder to carry out these changes before any such works can be started.
WILL THE CONSTRUCTION SITE BE SAFE?
We will always endeavour to keep our construction sites safe and clean. We are members of Hazardco and will provide you with a safety information pack at the beginning of the building programme.
JOHN MCKENZIE
Director/Project Manager
Welcome to Rag Reno's: Crafting Memories, Not Just Homes
At Rag Reno's, our ethos is simple: we believe that the process of building and renovating should be as remarkable as the end result.
Founded with a clear vision, we set out to transform the often-intimidating world of construction into a journey filled with excitement and positivity. Whether you're a valued client, a dedicated subcontractor, or a member of our passionate team, our commitment is to make this experience memorable and stress-free.
John, our founder, hails from a lineage of builders. From early days working alongside family members to honing his craft in London's upscale renovation scene, John's extensive hands-on experience in the industry is both diverse and rich.
However, it was his return to New Zealand in 2011 that marked the inception of Rag Reno's. Initially a modest little company, we started with the support of his parents and have since flourished. Today, it stands as a testament to years of dedication, with John at the helm alongside his wife, Sarah.
Our approach is rooted in authenticity and integrity. From small renovations in our early days to more expansive projects now, our promise remains unchanged: genuine assistance, transparent pricing, and an unwavering focus on quality.
WHY CHOOSE RAG RENO’S LTD.
Communication
We value transparent communication to keep you informed throughout your journey with us. You will have access to our project management software giving you real-time progress on site and any decisions that need to be made. We will also have a weekly onsite meeting to go over the work in progress.
People
We are a family owned and operated business. We bring our personal approach and family values to the build. We will personally guide and help you through the building process from design to completion.
Guarantee
Fixed Price Contract
Trustworthiness
Gaining and keeping trust with our clients is important to us. Our friendly team work alongside a reliable and trustworthy team of subcontractors and suppliers. We can assure you we know the people that are working on your home at all times.
Safety
SEE WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
While our insights are valuable, it’s the experiences of our clients that truly narrate the tale.
Take a moment to peruse a selection of testimonials from them below.
““I employed Rag Reno’s for many jobs over the last 5 years including new builds, garage conversions, relocated houses, as well as minor and major renovations. I have been impressed with every job but was especially impressed with the outcome of a 1916 villa renovation as John has a real eye for what needs to be done without going over the top; he found solutions that were within budget but also in keeping with the style of the house. John and the team are respectful, easy to communicate with and take pride in completing all work to a high standard. They treat tenants with respect and have managed neighbours/shared driveways/other contractors with no issues. I find their pricing to be fair and transparent. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending John and his team, and will be continuing to use their services for all of my future projects.”
– MANDY
“We chose to work with Rag Renos because they were professional but low key, so that throughout the quoting process we didn’t feel pressured. The communication throughout the whole time was excellent, any changes noted immediately, and all figures above board and inclusive. The build was forecast to take 18 weeks. Rag Renos finished a day early and were about 2% over the original budget. This is remarkable considering that it was winter and I was out of the country for 14 of the 18 weeks. The crew really helped reduced the stress on my wife who was having to manage it on her own, and were always positive and happy on the job. When we did change our minds they were accommodating and didn’t make a big deal of it. For the first time in our lives a building company delivered what we wanted on time and on budget. I have already highly recommended Rag Renos to anyone I know who is thinking of renovating.”
– DERMOT AND MARIE
We're proud to build and renovate homes right here in Franklin. Our team knows this area inside out. Whether we're updating an old house or building a new family home, we make sure each project fits Franklin's unique character. Our local expertise helps us create houses that work well for Franklin families and match the community's needs.
5 STAR GUARANTEE
7 Helpful tips you need to know before starting a successful renovation
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM TODAY
Our CEO, John, will personally conduct the session, which is normally valued at $300. However, we are offering the session FREE to people that are seriously considering building a dream home to help them make informed decisions towards the next steps.