RONNIE, I will randomly put in stuff as people send through to me, and can edit and arrange later.

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Simon Fenwick: Developer and Director, Nest Residential

From Simon Fenwick
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What are the key things you look out for when undertaking a reno job?

USUALLY DOESN’T MATTER THE AGE OF THE RENO. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME THING. WHAT IS THE ENVELOPE LIKE?  THIS INCLUDES INSULATION, WINDOWS, LEAKS AND VENTILATION
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Most common problems?

POOR OR NO INSULATION, EVEN CAME ACROSS PLACES WHERE INSULATION WAS RIPPED IN HALF SO IT LOOKED LIKE INSULATION WAS IN BUT WAS NOT TO REQUIRED THICKNESS. WINDOWS ARE USUALLY POOR AND LEAKY AND ABLE TO BE BROKEN INTO WITH A TABLESPOON.
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Any particular work/projects or any aspect of a reno that you can share that may be of interest?

ATTACHED ARE PHOTOS OF AN OLD CLIP TOGETHER TYPE HOUSE WITH JUST SOLID TIMBER FOR THE WALLS. WE BATTENED IT OUT, ADDED INSULATION AND RECLAD AND REPLACED THE WINDOWS WITH RECESSED UPVC. THE FRAMING WAS SO RICKETY UNDERNEATH WE ADDED BLOCKING. THE HOUSE WENT FROM BEING A BATCH TO A STUNNING MAIN HOUSE.
   
Anything to avoid? 

I WOULD USUALLY AVOID LEAVING THE EXTERIOR CLADDING AS REMOVING THIS MEANT WE CAN ACCESS DOING BETTER INSULATION AND WRAPPING AS WELL AS ANY STRUCTURAL ISSUES.
 
Any misconceptions out there?

YEAH BUILDERS THESE DAYS ARE AGAINST AIRTIGHT HOMES AS THEY THINK THEY WILL ROT. THAT’S WHY WE RUN CONTINUOUS VENTILATION!
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We are ideally looking for cost-effective solutions to any problems that you can share with us. 

WINDOWS ARE A GREAT FIRST STEP, BUT REDOING THE CLADDING WHEN ITS CLOSE TO END OF LIFE IS GREAT TOO.  
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WE LOOK TO RESTORE THE EXISTING BUILDING WHERE-EVER WE CAN AS HAVING AN INSULATED SUPER EFFICIENT RENO HOME HAS CHARACTER AND GRACE THAT CAN NEVER BE ACHIEVED WITH A NEW HOME.  

I WILL DROP OFF SOME PHOTOS ON A MEM STICK



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