Rained cats and dogs, house leaked a lot, so… recladding it is!

 

Kia ora, everyone! 

Welcome to my second blog entry about the ongoing renovations in my Wellington home. When I last posted, I was all set to tackle the electrical rewiring, and I’d even lined up a sparky to come in and sort out the outdated wiring. 

Well, wouldn’t you know it—Wellington’s infamous weather threw me a curveball. We had a massive downpour a couple of nights ago, and suddenly, I found water dripping in places it definitely shouldn’t be.

Initially, I shrugged it off, thinking maybe I’d left a window open. But no such luck. Turns out a portion of the exterior cladding wasn’t as watertight as I’d hoped. Before I knew it, a puddle started forming in my hallway, and I discovered a small patch of water damage in a spare bedroom. 

Talk about a rude awakening!

So, quick pivot in plans: the recladding, which was sitting on my to-do list for “eventually,” has shot right to the top. The storm made me realise that while it’s easy to get excited about designing new kitchens or sprucing up the bathrooms, basics like keeping the rain out are non-negotiable. This place might have spectacular panoramic views, but those views don’t count for much when water starts sneaking in!

I spent the next day calling around for quotes and reading up on Residential Construction tips about preventing leaks. I learned that proper and thorough recladding is not just cosmetic—it’s an essential step in good Home Improvement. It protects the underlying structure from our notoriously windy, wet weather and helps maintain the house’s value over time. The last thing I want is a bigger headache or, worse, a hefty insurance claim.

It turns out that a few local builders here in Wellington specialise in these types of refits and renovation services. I chatted with a couple of them, and there’s one name that keeps popping up when you type “recladding” into local forums: Peaky Builders. 

Needless to say, my electrical rewiring project is on hold until I can get this water intrusion sorted out. I’m hoping to save the rest of the house (and my budget) from any further mishaps. Once the recladding is in motion, I’ll probably look into a few other renovations I’ve been meaning to get done. After all, if I’ve already got builders onsite, I might as well see if a few tweaks here and there could make life a bit easier down the line.

It’s definitely been a rollercoaster so far, but that’s all part of the journey, isn’t it? When I bought this 500 sqm property, I knew I was signing up for a decent amount of work. And while a sudden leak is never fun, I’m determined to keep my chin up and see this project through. I’ve got faith that, once we sort out the recladding, I’ll be back on track to making this house the dream home I’ve always envisioned.

Thanks for reading along, and I’ll keep you posted on how things unfold. 

Fingers crossed, the next rainstorm won’t be quite as eventful! Whooo!

Moved Into Our New House… It Needs Recladding and Other Renovation Works, but This Is Beautiful!

Kia ora, everyone! I’m absolutely over the moon to share that I’ve finally settled into my new home here in Wellington—a sprawling 500 sqm property with the most stunning panoramic views you could ask for. 

Honestly, it still feels a bit unreal. I fell in love the moment I set foot in the place, from the wide windows overlooking the harbour to the backyard that’s just begging for a summer BBQ.

But as much as I adore this house, it’s got a few quirks that could use some attention. I mean, who doesn’t love a good challenge, right? 

And with the challenge I’ll soon face, I’m recording everything here so I’ll have something to look back to when all the necessary work is done.

Hmm… where do I start?

I’m raring to dive headfirst into some renovations, focusing on the big-ticket items first: roof repairs, electrical rewiring, and recladding. Not exactly small jobs, I know, but hey, go big or go home!

The first thing I want to sort out is the roof. I’ve noticed a bit of wear and tear up there—nothing extreme, but enough to make me want to get it checked. With Wellington’s unpredictable weather, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Once that’s done, the plan is to tackle the electrical side of things. Let’s be honest: flicking a switch and not knowing if the lights will cooperate is a bit nerve-wracking. I’ve heard about several Builders and Construction experts around the city who specialise in complete refits of older homes, so I’m keen to explore those Renovation Services and make sure everything’s up to code.

The biggie on my list, though, is recladding. The house is gorgeous, but the exterior definitely needs some freshening up. A few mates mentioned how crucial it is to fix any issues before they turn into a real headache. Apparently, proper and quality recladding isn’t just about making the place look flashy—it’s also about protecting it from the elements and boosting the overall Home Improvement value. I’ve been scouring reviews and picking the brains of anyone who’s gone through residential construction projects like this. One name that popped up more than once for solid recladding work is Peaky Builders. They’re said to have a good handle on both style and function, which is exactly what I need.

Of course, while I’m at it, I’ve been dreaming about sprucing up the place even further—maybe updating the kitchens or adding a wee touch to the bathrooms down the line. But for now, I’m going to keep my focus on these main jobs and see how the budget holds up. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are massive renovation projects in Aotearoa!

I’m really excited to blog about this journey as it unfolds. There’s something special about watching your home evolve to match the vision in your head. I’m pretty sure there will be ups and downs (and probably a few nights of takeaways when the kitchen is off-limits), but I can’t wait to share it all with you.

Stay tuned for updates and maybe the occasional rant about council paperwork. Thanks for stopping by! It’s going to be a ride, but I reckon it’ll be sweet once the dust settles. 

Aroha nui and I’ll catch you all soon. Cheers!