Planning is the key to a successful renovation. A clear plan ensures your project stays on track, within budget, and meets your expectations. Here’s how the Refresh Renovations 5-step process helps guide your renovation from start to finish:
Your renovation journey starts with a consultation where we get to know your vision and needs.
This is the foundation of the project, setting clear goals for the renovation and ensuring we’re aligned on expectations. Our project managers work with you to understand your requirements and provide expert advice on the best approach.
Next, we move to concept design, where we create layouts and designs tailored to your goals.
This phase also includes assessing the feasibility of the project, ensuring the design works within your space and budget. Our project managers collaborate with the design team to ensure that everything is practical and achievable.
During this phase, we finalise the design, obtain any necessary building consent, and work with architects and engineers if needed. Our project managers oversee the entire process, ensuring the design is fully detailed and that costs are accurately estimated. This step ensures the project is set to move forward smoothly, with all approvals and plans in place.
Once the plans are finalised, construction begins. Our project managers ensure the build stays on schedule, coordinating trades and suppliers to keep things running smoothly. Regular updates and progress reports ensure you're informed throughout the process, and we aim to complete the renovation on time and within budget.
After construction, we conduct a final inspection to ensure everything meets your expectations. Our post-completion support ensures any final adjustments are made promptly, and we’re always available for ongoing assistance if needed.
At Refresh Renovations, we know that planning and project management are essential to a successful renovation. Ready to bring your renovation vision to life?
Contact us today on 0800-21-52-16 or email bronson.arter@refresh.co.nz to schedule your consultation, and let us guide you through every step of the process.
Check us out online at Refresh Renovations.
With falling interest rates set to continue over 2025 now is the time when many Kiwi homeowners can
start to feel the burden of keeping up with mortgage repayments easing. If this sounds like you,
refinancing your mortgage at this time could be a smart solution to ease the financial strain and finally
improve your overall situation.
Refinancing involves replacing your current mortgage with a new loan—often with better terms or a
lower interest rate. This can reduce your monthly repayments, help consolidate high-interest debts, or
free up cash for other needs such as family expenses, investments, or even a well-deserved holiday.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about mortgage refinancing in New
Zealand:
Refinancing typically means switching from one bank to another or opting for a non-bank lender. The
main reasons to refinance include:
There are several advantages to refinancing, including:
Refinancing is only worth pursuing if it puts you in a better financial position. Here’s what to consider:
Paperwork and Spending Review:
Banks will closely examine your expenses, including daily living costs, childcare, and even
lifestyle spending like dining out. It’s wise to review your habits at least 3 months before
applying.
Costs:
Time Commitment:
You’ll need to provide documents such as bank statements, ID, and rates notices. A mortgage
broker can help streamline the process and save you time.
Costs vary depending on your circumstances, but here’s a rough breakdown:
Refinancing can feel complex, but with the right guidance, it’s a powerful way to reduce costs and
regain control of your finances.
Contact the experienced team at First Rate Mortgages today for personalised advice and support.
We’re here to help you make refinancing simple and stress-free!
iLender Welcomes 2025: Exciting Changes and Market Outlook
As we kick off 2025, we’re thrilled to share the first piece of news from iLender: we've moved to Gulf Harbour! We invite everyone to stop by for a chat, and we’ll even make you a great cup of coffee. It’s an exciting start to the year, and we’re looking forward to helping you navigate the ever-changing world of finance.
The most talked-about topic in 2024 was undoubtedly interest rates, and we anticipate this will continue to be a hot topic in 2025. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) made significant moves in 2024, cutting the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 1.25%. Many experts predict that further rate cuts will follow in 2025. Why is this happening? The primary reason is the state of the economy. The Reserve Bank is likely to continue lowering rates to help stimulate business activity and improve the overall financial health of the country. With the OCR cut expected to be 0.5% in February, we are bracing for more changes.
2024 also saw a couple of non-bank lenders exit the New Zealand market. However, their absence has quickly been filled by other players, ensuring that the market remains well-served. Despite the changes, we continue to see strong demand for alternative financing options, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients have access to the best options available.
After a couple of years of sluggish sales, the housing market is finally showing signs of recovery. New first-home buyers are making their move, and more recently, investors are returning to the market. Even Kiwis living abroad are jumping at the opportunity to buy back home. This surge in activity is promising, and it’s a great time to consider entering the market, whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced investor.
As mortgage advisers, our role is simple: to secure the best possible financial outcome for our clients. While bank lending remains the most common route for many, a significant number of clients need the specialist products offered by non-bank lenders—at least in the short term. At iLender, we have access to all the major banks, non-banks, and private lenders, so we are equipped to handle nearly any financial situation.
We pride ourselves on being a local company with an impressive reputation. With more online reviews than most and a solid track record of national awards, we are recognized for the high-quality service we provide. Whether you're looking for assistance with first-home buying, property investment, debt management, development finance, or small business lending, we have the expertise to guide you.
If you're ready to take the next step, all it takes is a quick call to our office at 09 428 5333 or an email to help@ilender.co.nz or visit our website at ilender.co.nz. One of our team members will be happy to get in touch and assist with your financial needs.
Let’s make 2025 a year of opportunity and success. We’re here to help!
For some standing out is important and others run for the hills, not for everyone.
Standing out in business is different. For the majority getting noticed is a key priority. But yelling things people have heard before won’t get through. They’re tired of hearing it and switch off. People want stories that make them change the way they think, true ones are most engaging. Businesses that say and do real things no one else can will get people talking.
In this busy world it's hard to stand out and therefore hard to get noticed but it is essential for you to be recognised to be found in the right places and to make sure you tell your potential customers what is your USP (Unique Selling Point).
Read more on how you can define your USP and if you want help in either identifying it or, once identified, how to then translate this into, and across, all your branding platforms so customers know exactly who you are and what you offer them call Chris at AllBrand who can help you take your business to the next level.
If you'd also like support with different issues you have in your business and don't have any, or many, sounding boards why not head along to a meeting of The Independent Board - Fresh Thinking, a group of small business owners, who work together on solving business issues!
If you're worried about getting locked out of your house or car, here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid that situation.
Home lockouts can be frustrating and distressing, but they are common. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help avoid being locked out of your home.
By following these tips and suggestions, you can significantly reduce the chances of experiencing a lockout and ensure that you always have access to both your house and your car. However, if you do find yourself in that situation, the local professional to call is Jason from King Locksmiths.
King Locksmiths, 34 Bay Vista Drive, Red Beach, Whangaparaoa
0800-55-79-79 - jason@kinglocksmiths.co.nz - https://kinglocksmiths.co.nz
Hearing losses usually develop very slowly, so it is easy to not notice them creeping up on you. If you are concerned about your own hearing, or that of a loved one, you can run a self check to give you some ideas. Hear Again, in Whangaparaoa, have an online self-check test, you are welcome to run through.
If you determin that perhaps hearing is affected but it may not actually be hearing loss it may be a case of blocked ears. Did you know approximately 5% of adults and 10% of children deal with blocked ears at any one time! If you’re uncertain whether ear wax is causing your hearing issue or whether an ear wax removal service can help, drop into Hear Again and their experienced staff will take a quick look free of charge. Ear wax removal is quite a simple and painless procedure and you can read more about what causes it and ear wax removal online with Hear Again.
Another frustration you, or a loved one, may experience is that annoying ringing in your ears! So what is it?
Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds that aren't present in the external environment. It can manifest as ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling, throbbing, booming, clicking, roaring, or a cicada-like noise. Tinnitus may consist of a single sound or multiple different sounds, and it can develop gradually or suddenly.
This condition is quite common, with most people experiencing it at some point, especially in quiet surroundings. About 20% of the population experiences persistent tinnitus, and for 4%, it significantly affects their quality of life.
Read more on what tinnitus is and how it can be combatted.
If you need support or hear advice remember Hear Again offer free hearing tests and also operate an in-home service if it's hard to get to their Whangaparaoa premises. The team are always happy to advise and help so you can "Rejoin the Conversation"!
Hear Again, Coast Whangaparaoa, 6 Main Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa
0508-432-724 - info@hearagain.co.nz - https://hearagain.co.nz
Funerals play a very important role in helping us to cope with our grief. They are for the living – they provide us with an opportunity to say our goodbyes, to be with people to give and receive support and to reflect and share the memories of the life of someone we have lost that mattered to us.
When someone we love dies, the funeral is not for them, it’s about them. The funeral is for everyone who knew, loved and was connected to that person.
Read more on why funerals are so important from Forrest Funeral Services.
It is also important to pre-plan for your own funeral. This helps not only for your funeral to be as you would have wished but can also take away some of the stress behind organising the funeral for those who have been tasked with this job after you have passed away. Forrest Funerals can provide you with a funeral pack to guide you along the way and remind you of what will be needed.
You can also download a Funeral Checklist to ensure you don't forget any important details.
You can also record your choices of readings, music, pallbearers, flowers, etc. You can either complete a copy of the form online or download a form which you can then give to Forrest Funerals.
It can be quite daunting thinking about a funeral, whether yours or that of a loved one, but comfort and peace of mind can come from knowing what to expect but Forrest Funeral Services offer links and articles on the above and other questions including writing a Euology, embalming, burial or cremation, venue and catering and many other topics.
Forrest Funeral Services, 39 Riverside Road, Orewa (also in Browns Bay)
09-426-7950 - llittle@forrests.co.nz - https://forrests.co.nz
