What order should trades come in for a bathroom renovation?

Demolition, plumber rough-in, electrician rough-in, waterproofing, tiling, plumber second fix (taps/toilet), electrician second fix (lights/fan), painting, flooring if applicable.

Should painting be done before or after flooring?

Painting comes before flooring. This way any paint drips land on the subfloor, not your new carpet or timber. Flooring should be the last trade in.

When should I order kitchen cabinetry for a renovation?

Order as soon as your design is finalised, ideally 6–12 weeks before you need it installed. NZ suppliers typically take 4–6 weeks; imported options can take 12+ weeks.

Do I need a project manager for my renovation?

For small single-room renovations, your builder can usually coordinate. For multi-room renovations or budgets over $80,000, a project manager (10–15% of project cost) can save money by keeping trades on schedule.

What inspections are needed during a renovation in NZ?

Common inspections include: framing/structural, pre-line (before walls are closed), post-line, drainage, and final. Your consent documents will specify which inspections are required.

Renovating in NZ: What Order Should Trades Come In?

The Right Order for Trades in a NZ Renovation

One of the most common (and expensive) renovation mistakes is getting trades in the wrong order. The painter shows up before the plasterer is done. The tiler starts before the plumber has set the drain position. Suddenly you're paying people to stand around, or worse, ripping out finished work.

Here's the sequence that experienced builders and project managers follow for a typical NZ residential renovation.

Phase 1: Planning (Before Any Work Starts)

Designer or architect — plans, specs, and consent drawings
Building consent — submit to council and wait (budget 4–8 weeks)
Builder / project manager — lock in your lead contractor and timeline
Order long-lead materials — kitchen cabinetry, imported tiles, specialty fixtures (some take 8–12 weeks)

Phase 2: Strip-Out and Structural

Demolition — remove existing fittings, walls, flooring. Asbestos testing first if the house is pre-2000.
Structural work — new openings, steel beams, framing changes. Council inspection at framing stage.
Roofing (if applicable) — get the building weather-tight before interior work begins.

Phase 3: Rough-In (First Fix)

This is where pipes, wires, and ducts go into walls and floors before they get closed up.

Plumber (rough-in) — water pipes, waste pipes, shower drains positioned
Electrician (rough-in) — cables, switch boxes, lighting positions
HVAC / heat pump — ducting if applicable
Insulation — walls and ceiling before lining goes on

Council pre-line inspection happens here — before walls get closed up.

Phase 4: Lining and Wet Areas

Plasterboard / GIB lining — walls and ceilings
Plastering and stopping — tape, fill, sand (usually 2–3 coats)
Waterproofing — bathroom and shower membranes (must be done before tiling)
Tiler — bathroom floors, walls, kitchen splashback

Phase 5: Second Fix and Finishing

Plumber (second fix) — install taps, toilet, shower head, vanity connections
Electrician (second fix) — install light fittings, switches, power points, rangehood
Kitchen install — cabinetry, benchtop, sink, appliances
Joiner / carpenter — doors, skirting boards, scotia, shelving, wardrobe fitouts
Painter — walls, ceilings, doors, trims (always after plastering and before final floor)
Flooring — carpet, vinyl, or timber (last to avoid damage from other trades)

Phase 6: Final

Final clean — construction clean before handover
Final inspections — building inspector, plumbing sign-off, electrical Certificate of Compliance
Snag list / defects walk-through — walk through with the builder and note anything that needs fixing
Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) — applied for after all inspections pass

Common Mistakes That Cost Money

Tiling before waterproofing: Tiles have to come off. Easily a $3,000–$5,000 mistake.
Painting before plastering is fully cured: Results in cracking and peeling.
Laying flooring too early: Other trades walk on it, drop tools on it, and spill on it. Always lay floors last.
Not ordering materials early enough: Kitchen cabinetry from NZ suppliers often takes 4–6 weeks. Imported items can take 12+ weeks. This one delay can push your entire project back.
Forgetting inspections: If you close up walls before the pre-line inspection, the inspector may require you to reopen them. Budget for inspection wait times.

Do You Need a Project Manager?

For a small renovation (one bathroom, kitchen refresh), your builder can usually coordinate the trades. For anything involving multiple rooms, structural changes, or a budget over $80,000, a dedicated project manager can save you money by keeping trades on schedule and catching problems early. Budget 10–15% of the project cost for PM fees.