Front house
Approved in 10 working days
No RFIs recorded
Two-house Marsden Avenue renovation building consent story.
Two older cross-lease homes in Balmoral were renovated for resale, with two separate Auckland Council building consent applications. One consent was approved in 10 working days with no RFIs; the second was approved in 18 working days after council questions were managed quickly.
Client-approved storyBalmoral, AucklandTwo renovation consents10 working days / 18 working days
Rear house
Approved in 18 working days
RFIs managed quickly
Council
Auckland Council
Two separate applications
Project type
Two-house renovation
Cross-lease homes prepared for resale
"Council processes can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, but Alejandro acted as a buffer between us and council."
Sebastian Spada
Development context
Two similar houses still needed two carefully managed consent pathways.
The project involved two older cross-lease homes at Marsden Avenue. The commercial goal was practical: renovate both homes, improve function and presentation, then bring them to market with the required consent work handled properly.
Similar houses can still receive different council questions. ArchSolutioNZ coordinated the consent side so construction, compliance and resale timing did not become tangled together.
How the consent work was kept moving
The value was not only preparing paperwork. It was ownership of the council pathway.
Two applications kept separate
Each house needed its own council pathway, even though the renovation scope and site context were similar.
Council questions handled fast
When RFIs came through on the rear house, the issues were reviewed, explained and answered without letting the project drift.
Existing-house risks checked
Older-home issues such as asbestos risk, wet areas, plumbing, safety glazing and waterproofing were treated as consent evidence, not afterthoughts.
Resale confidence protected
The consent pathway supported the client’s goal of bringing both renovated homes to market with fewer loose compliance questions.
"Having a single point of contact managing the consent side of both projects made a huge difference."
Sebastian Spada
Existing-house checks
Older homes need evidence before assumptions become expensive.
In older Auckland homes, the fastest consent pathway is usually the one that checks the risk properly. Asbestos, historic linings, drainage, wet areas, safety glazing and ventilation can all affect what council needs to see.
For Marsden Avenue, the asbestos context was checked with supporting information so the consent and construction decisions could be made with clearer evidence.
Front house consent
The front house consent was approved in 10 working days with no RFIs.
The first application was kept clean and assessable. The approval result gave the project momentum and reduced the risk that council processing would slow the renovation and sale programme.
"Time is critical in renovation and resale projects, so obtaining approval with no RFIs and within 10 working days helped us maintain momentum."
Sebastian Spada
Before and after
The consent work supported a practical resale renovation, not a paperwork exercise.
Rear house consent
The rear house had RFIs, but the consent still reached approval in 18 working days.
A different council officer assessed the second application, and the questions were different. The important part was keeping responses clear, fast and connected to the right drawing evidence.
"Whenever an RFI arrived, he would typically contact me the same day, explain the issue clearly, and already have a proposed solution in mind."
Sebastian Spada
Client-approved identity
Sebastian put his name behind the renovation because the project was real, detailed and hard-won.
Two older houses, two council applications and tight resale timing needed steady consent management, fast answers and practical judgement when the applications took different paths.
Sebastian Spada
Sebastian approved the use of his profile image and LinkedIn profile as part of this real client story.
View Sebastian on LinkedIn"The biggest value was having someone take ownership of the building consent process from start to finish."
Sebastian Spada
Client answers
The full 20 questions and answers from Sebastian Spada.
The story above is based on Sebastian’s written answers. The answers below have been lightly edited for readability while preserving the substance of the original response.
01
What were you trying to achieve by renovating both houses at 67 and 67B Marsden Avenue?
The goal was to fully renovate both properties and bring them to market as high-quality homes ready for sale. We wanted to modernise the houses, improve functionality, add value, and ensure all the required consent work was completed properly and professionally.
02
Before working with ArchSolutioNZ, what felt most difficult or stressful about doing two renovation projects at the same time?
Managing two separate renovation projects on the same site can become complicated very quickly. There are construction decisions, council requirements, timelines, trades, budgets and compliance matters all happening at once. The biggest concern was making sure the consent process didn't become a bottleneck.
03
Were you concerned about managing two separate building consent applications for two similar houses?
Yes. Even though the houses were similar, I knew council could assess them differently. My main concern was delays, RFIs, or inconsistencies between the two applications that could slow down the projects and impact timelines.
04
Why did you choose ArchSolutioNZ to handle both projects?
I was looking for someone with a strong understanding of the building consent process, good communication skills, and experience dealing with council. From the beginning, Alejandro gave me confidence that he could manage the consent side of the projects efficiently and professionally.
05
What made you trust ArchSolutioNZ to manage two consents on the same site properly?
Alejandro demonstrated a strong understanding of the council consent process and gave me confidence that both applications would be managed professionally. From the beginning, he was organised, proactive, and focused on keeping the projects moving forward.
06
How did ArchSolutioNZ help simplify the process of renovating both houses for sale?
Having a single point of contact managing the consent side of both projects made a huge difference. It allowed me to focus on the renovations themselves while knowing the council process was being handled properly.
07
Did ArchSolutioNZ help you understand the differences between the two consent processes?
Absolutely. One thing I learned is that similar projects do not always receive the same assessment from council. Alejandro helped explain the differences and set realistic expectations, which made the process much easier to navigate.
08
One house was approved with no RFIs and in only 10 working days. How important was that result?
That was an outstanding result. Time is critical in renovation and resale projects, so obtaining approval with no RFIs and within 10 working days helped us maintain momentum and gave us confidence that the application had been prepared thoroughly from the start.
09
The other house had RFIs from a different council officer. How did ArchSolutioNZ help?
Alejandro was extremely proactive throughout the RFI process. Whenever an RFI arrived, he would typically contact me the same day, explain the issue clearly, and already have a proposed solution in mind. That responsiveness helped keep the project moving and avoided unnecessary delays.
10
How valuable was it to have ArchSolutioNZ respond to all the RFIs within the same week?
Very valuable. Fast responses help keep projects moving and reduce uncertainty. It showed a strong commitment to the project and helped minimise unnecessary delays.
11
Did ArchSolutioNZ make dealing with council feel less stressful?
Definitely. Council processes can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, but Alejandro acted as a buffer between us and council. He was always available by phone or WhatsApp, responded quickly, and handled issues before they became problems. That made the whole process significantly less stressful.
12
How helpful was it to have someone managing minor variations and changes during the consent process?
Extremely helpful. Renovation projects often evolve as work progresses, so having someone who could quickly assess changes and manage the required documentation gave me peace of mind.
13
Did ArchSolutioNZ help solve problems, not just prepare drawings?
Yes. While the architectural drawings were prepared separately, Alejandro took ownership of the consent process and helped navigate council requirements, RFIs, and project changes as they arose. What I appreciated most was his practical, solution-focused approach whenever challenges came up.
14
Were there moments where ArchSolutioNZ helped you avoid delays, confusion, or extra costs?
Yes, particularly through the way RFIs were handled and by providing clear guidance whenever changes were required. Prompt communication and practical advice helped avoid unnecessary delays and rework.
15
How helpful was it to have both projects coordinated in a consistent way?
Very helpful. Consistency across both projects created efficiency and made it easier to manage construction, compliance, and documentation without unnecessary duplication.
16
Do you think ArchSolutioNZ helped present both houses in a way that made approval easier and faster?
Yes. Although the architectural drawings were prepared by another designer, Alejandro carefully reviewed the documentation, coordinated the consent applications, and ensured the information submitted to council was complete and well-presented. The approval outcomes reflected that attention to detail.
17
How would you describe the communication and support you received throughout both projects?
Excellent. Communication was one of the strongest parts of the service. Alejandro was highly responsive, easy to reach, and always willing to jump on a phone call when needed. Whether it was council questions, project changes, or general advice, I always felt supported and kept informed.
18
Did ArchSolutioNZ help give you more confidence now that both renovated houses are on the market for sale?
Absolutely. One property has already been completed and brought to market, and the second is now approaching final inspection with the sale campaign expected to commence shortly. Having confidence that the consent process was handled correctly and professionally has been extremely valuable throughout the project.
19
Looking back, what was the biggest value ArchSolutioNZ brought to these two projects?
The biggest value was having someone take ownership of the building consent process from start to finish. Alejandro coordinated the applications, managed council communications, responded quickly to RFIs, handled project changes as they arose, and kept both projects progressing efficiently. That allowed me to focus on delivering the renovations themselves.
20
Would you recommend ArchSolutioNZ to other homeowners or property owners?
Yes, without hesitation. I've worked with a number of professionals across renovation and property development projects, and Alejandro stands out because of his responsiveness, practical approach, and willingness to take ownership. What I valued most was that whenever council came back with a question or issue, Alejandro would usually contact me the same day with a practical solution already prepared. If you're looking for someone who can efficiently manage the consent process, communicate clearly, and help keep projects moving forward, I would happily recommend ArchSolutioNZ.
Related support
Useful pathways for similar renovation and resale projects.
Renovating more than one property?
Send the address, photos, council notes or renovation scope and we can help identify the consent pathway.
This is especially useful when older homes, wet areas, resale timing, RFIs or separate council applications need to be managed together.
Ask about your project