Multigenerational Living, A Vision Realized
After a two-year search for the perfect multigenerational property, John from New Zealand Home Loans in Pukekohe finally found what he was looking for: a rural property with an older 85m² cottage that held immense potential. The vision was clear: create a comfortable, functional space where family members could live independently yet together, ideal for their retirement plans or for accommodating adult children. The challenge was equally clear: transform the modest cottage into a modern, efficient home without compromising on comfort or style.
From Past Disappointment to New Beginnings
For John and his family, embarking on another building project wasn’t a decision taken lightly. Their previous building experience had left them wary.
“The last house we built in full was, you could say, a bit of a nightmare,” John recalls. “We became project managers ourselves. One builder went the way of the dodo, went to liquidation. Another one, I rang up one day that took over the job, and he says, ‘I can’t do things because I’ve moved to Australia.’ It was very frustrating.”
This experience made finding the right builder for their cottage renovation paramount. Build Unlimited’s approach immediately stood out.
“One of the reasons why we chose Build Unlimited is we’re comfortable with how Pete presented himself, how he talked to us, how he communicated with us,” John explains. “That’s part and parcel of what you really want to make sure you get right. If you don’t get that right, then the project just turns to custard.”
Adapting Plans to Reality
When initial plans to extend the cottage couldn’t proceed due to council restrictions, the Build Unlimited team pivoted smoothly to focus on maximizing the existing footprint.
“Our design team collaborated with the clients to design the new layout to meet their needs and lifestyle,” Pete from Build Unlimited explains. With John’s son and family, including a newborn, set to move in, storage became a top priority, alongside a bathroom that could accommodate both a large shower and a bath.
Throughout the planning process, John appreciated the clarity and focus Build Unlimited brought to the project. “You kind of start a project, and you have in mind how you think it will look. Then you find Build Unlimited to do the project for you,” John shares. “One of the big things is the person that drives it, like Pete sitting with you, and you get that feeling he really understands what your goal is. We really wanted to make sure that the lounge, the laundry, and the bathroom were the ones that really were the living space where you’d spend most of your time.”
Transforming Through Thoughtful Design
The renovation began with a comprehensive reimagining of the cottage’s layout. Each room was evaluated not just for its current function but for its potential to serve multiple purposes or incorporate clever storage solutions.
“Having a home office was another important factor for our clients,” Pete explains. “So we turned the third bedroom into a functional home office space with additional data and power outlets, turning the room into a multi-functional space, switching between home office and guest bedroom when required.”
In the kitchen, one of the project’s most innovative solutions took shape. “The kitchen is a standout feature with the laundry hidden behind bifold doors,” Pete shares. “This makes it easy to access and functional, yet provides a clean, tidy space.” By concealing the laundry within the kitchen cabinetry, the design eliminated the need for a separate laundry room while ensuring that facilities remained convenient and fully functional.
Another seemingly small change made a significant impact on the home’s functionality. “We moved the entry door out in line with the cladding to make more room in the kitchen entry area,” Pete explains. “This small change made a massive improvement to the functional use of the room.”
Long-Term Thinking for Lasting Value
Throughout the project, Build Unlimited demonstrated a commitment to long-term quality rather than quick fixes, an approach that resonated strongly with John.
“As you go through, for instance, fixing up the roof, then choose to put solar on there, Pete says it’s probably for the longevity better to put a new roof on,” John recalls. “Again, you kind of think, ‘Oh, costing and all that sort of thing.’ But it wasn’t actually too bad by the time the costing came through, and he’s really thinking about the long-term benefit you have rather than the short-term fix that you might have to fix up two, three years later.”
This forward-thinking approach extended to the home’s technology infrastructure. Despite its rural location, the cottage was designed to offer all the technological conveniences of modern urban living. The rooftop solar panels would reduce power costs, while Starlink internet and WiFi extenders ensured reliable connectivity throughout the home, essential for the home office and today’s connected lifestyle.
Elegant Details That Enhance Daily Life
Throughout the renovation, the Build Unlimited team incorporated thoughtful details that would elevate the everyday experience of living in the cottage. LED strip lighting in the pantries, under the island bar area, and above the hob provides functional lighting while remaining elegant. The pantry lights were fitted with sensors, automatically illuminating when the doors are opened, a small touch that makes a big difference.
USB ports integrated into the power points under the island bar allow for easy charging of devices while keeping the island looking aesthetically clean. The stunning stone splashback serves as both a design statement and a practical feature, making the cooking space easy to maintain.
Communication That Builds Confidence
For John, one of the standout aspects of working with Build Unlimited was their consistent communication, particularly the Friday video updates that documented the project’s progress.
“I think one of the things is the Friday video update,” John shares enthusiastically. “I mean, we’re living next door, so we can see it anyway. But if you’re building anywhere, you’re not always close. It’s really cool the process that Pete does on a Friday. He just walks through the house saying, ‘Here’s where we’re at. This is what we’re doing. This is what we’re doing next week.’ It’s not only good for the communication side of things, but it’s also really cool to keep that as a memento and saying, ‘This is what the house was before.'”
This commitment to timeline and communication resulted in a project that not only met expectations but exceeded them in timing. “What I particularly liked is the time frame in which he was going to finish the job,” John notes. “He was on time every time with things that were there. The odd time it’s a day late, a day earlier, but overall, I think we beat the timeline by a week. So we’re a week early finishing the project, which helps everybody.”
A Complete Transformation
When the renovation was complete, the cottage had undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Without adding a single square meter to its footprint, it had become a highly functional, aesthetically pleasing home ready to welcome a young family embarking on a new chapter.
“The transformation of this place is amazing,” Pete reflects. “You would not recognize the place if you had only seen it before we completed the work.”
For John, the completed project represented not just a successful renovation but a complete reversal of his previous building experience.
“In regards to what we have there, if I recommend Build Unlimited to other people, I’d have no hesitation to do so, especially for those really big jobs. It could be a totally new build, or it could be a major renovation. Ours was a major renovation on a small home, but it was a pretty good project to do. So, yeah, no problem whatsoever. They know what they’re doing.”
For Build Unlimited, the rural cottage renovation stands as a testament to what can be achieved through clever design, meticulous execution, and consistent communication. The result is a home that proves that with the right approach, even the smallest spaces can offer the highest quality of life while serving the long-term vision of multigenerational living that John and his family had searched for two years to find.
