Frequently Asked Questions

The first step is a consultation. We visit your site, discuss your project and give you honest advice on scope, timeline and budget. There's no pressure — just a straight conversation with an experienced licensed builder. Book through our contact page or call Mike directly on 021 172 1505.

Yes. We're LBP-licensed builders. All restricted building work on our projects is carried out or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner, as New Zealand law requires. Complex Builders is also a member of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB).

We deliberately limit the number of projects we run simultaneously. This isn't a marketing line — it's how we maintain quality. When you're building with Complex Builders, you're never competing for attention with 50 other jobs. Mike is personally involved in every project from first meeting to final handover.

Projects from $25,000. For smaller jobs, a local handyman or renovation specialist will usually be quicker and better value.

No — while Complex Builders is based in South Auckland and has strong roots there, we work across South, West and East Auckland. We also build lifestyle homes in locations including Kumeu, Helensville, Pukekohe, Beachlands and Clevedon. If you're unsure whether we service your area, give us a call on 021 172 1505.

New build costs in Auckland in 2026 typically range from $2,800 to $4,500 per square metre for standard residential construction. High-spec and architecturally designed homes can exceed $5,000 per square metre. For a typical 150sqm home, budget $420,000–$675,000 for construction alone — excluding land, consents, site preparation and landscaping. Complex Builders bespoke builds typically range from $700,000 to $1,000,000+ depending on size, design and site conditions. These figures are indicative and depend on your site and specification. Book a consultation.

A standard new build in Auckland takes 9–14 months from breaking ground to handover. Add 3–6 months for the consent phase before construction starts — so budget 12–20 months from your first consultation to moving in. Complex Builders provides a detailed build programme upfront with realistic milestones. We don't give optimistic timelines to win work then disappoint during the build.

Possibly — it depends on your property's zoning under the Auckland Unitary Plan, site size, shape, and access to services. Most properties in Mixed Housing Suburban zones over 600m² have subdivision potential, but every site is different. Note: the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) stopped applying as a permitted activity on 9 October 2025, when Auckland Council partially withdrew Plan Change 78. Plan Change 120, notified on 3 November 2025, now sets the new direction. This has affected subdivision rules across parts of Auckland. The best first step is a feasibility consultation where we check your specific address against current council rules.

A straightforward two-lot subdivision in Auckland typically takes 12–18 months from start to new title. This includes resource consent (3–6 months), civil works, the build itself and final survey. More complex sites or multiple lots take longer. Complex Builders manages the full process end to end — consents, civil works and construction under one contract.

In most cases yes — particularly if your subdivision involves new dwellings or your site has any overlays such as flood zones, natural hazards, heritage features or special character areas. Some permitted activity subdivisions can proceed without resource consent but these are less common. We identify exactly what's required during your feasibility consultation.

In short, the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) stopped applying as a permitted activity on 9 October 2025, when Auckland Council partially withdrew Plan Change 78. Plan Change 120, notified on 3 November 2025, now sets the new direction. The MDRS previously allowed most Auckland residential sections an as-of-right pathway to three dwellings of three storeys, so subdivision rules have changed significantly across parts of Auckland. Your property's development potential now depends more heavily on its specific zone, overlays and qualifying matters. We check all of this during your feasibility consultation.

Whether you need a building consent depends on the type of work, not the cost. Some minor and like-for-like work is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, while structural changes, new plumbing or drainage, and extensions usually need consent. We check this for your specific project before any work starts and manage the consent process if one is needed.

Yes, every job we take on has a written contract, whatever the size. New Zealand law requires one for residential work of $30,000 or more (including GST), but we use them on smaller jobs too so the scope, price and timeline are clear from day one.

Across Auckland, a simple bathroom refresh typically runs about $12,000–$25,000. Our renovation projects start from $25,000, so we usually do bathrooms as part of a bigger renovation. Book a consultation.

A single-storey home extension in Auckland typically costs $80,000–$150,000 depending on size and complexity. This covers structural work, framing, roofing, cladding, interior fit out and connections to existing services. More complex work — second storey additions, house raising or full home renovations combined with an extension — can range from $150,000 to $350,000+. These figures are indicative and depend on your site and specification. Most extensions need a building consent, but some small additions are exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act. We confirm this for your project at your consultation. Book a consultation.

Timelines vary significantly by scope. A bathroom renovation typically takes 3–5 weeks. A kitchen renovation 4–6 weeks. A home extension 3–5 months from consent approval. A full home renovation including extensions 6–12 months. Complex Builders provides a detailed programme upfront for every project — you'll always know where you stand.

In theory yes — but with important caveats. Restricted building work in New Zealand must legally be carried out by a Licensed Building Practitioner. This includes structural work, roofing, cladding, plumbing and drainage. Homeowners can legally do some finishing work like painting and simple landscaping. However, attempting restricted work without an LBP can void your building consent and your insurance. Our honest advice — leave the building to us and put your energy into the decisions that matter, like finishes and fixtures.