At Retro Construction, we believe that bringing “Traditional Experience and Modern Style” to your property also means building it to withstand whatever the Auckland climate throws at it. Whether you are planning a full villa restoration or a modern kitchen upgrade, integrating flood-resilient strategies can save you thousands of dollars and immense stress in the long run.
While financial support can be made available temporarily after the extreme weather, there is generally nothing to help make adaptations before disasters occur. However, there are some small and relatively inexpensive things homeowners can do to help mitigate flooding damage.
Paying for big flood mitigation measures
After 2023’s extreme weather events, Auckland Council introduced grants for some of the affected homes where there was a risk to life in the event of another flood.
The grant was for a maximum of 25% of the property’s 2021 capital value and can be used for: an assessment of mitigation feasibility and construction. It covers major works like raising the home, relocating it to another part of the section, strengthening foundations or land stabilisation.
148 properties were eligible for the grant and have opted in.
The Natural Hazards Commission has a natural hazards portal where you can find out if any hazard claims have been made on your property. From there, you can also explore local hazard maps to see what the risks are in your area.
Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly Niwa) recently carried out a flood hazard and risk assessment for Aotearoa. You can access its flood hazard data via its website.
Here is our expert guide on how to future-proof your living space during your next renovation.
1. Know Your Property’s Risk
Before breaking ground, it is vital to understand what you are building on. You can check if your property is at risk by reviewing your local council’s hazard maps, checking your land information memorandum (LIM), or looking at the property’s record of title. The Natural Hazards Commission portal is also a great tool to see if previous hazard claims have been made in your area.
2. Dry Proofing: Stopping Water in its Tracks
Dry proofing involves making changes to the exterior of your property to stop water from entering your home. Simple landscaping and exterior adjustments can make a massive difference:
- Permeable Fencing: During the January 2023 floods, solid fences trapped water until they failed catastrophically, creating damaging waves. Replacing solid fences with screening or permeable designs allows water to flow freely.
- Smarter Landscaping: Swap out solid concrete exterior pads for water-absorbing materials like gravel or grass.
- Elevate Critical Systems: If you are upgrading your home’s infrastructure, ensure your electrical switchboards and heat pump compressors are raised well above potential flood lines.
3. Wet Proofing: Minimising Internal Damage
If water does get inside, “wet proofing” ensures your home can recover quickly and cost-effectively. When planning your interior renovation with our design team, consider these modern building strategies:
- Strategic Wall Linings: Instead of standard plasterboard, consider using plywood, which is far more resilient to water damage. Installing wall linings horizontally means that if flooding occurs, we only need to remove and replace the damaged lower sections rather than the entire wall.
- Resilient Flooring: Opt for tiles, stone, or brushed concrete instead of carpet or wood, as these handle water exposure much better.
- Kitchen & Laundry Upgrades: Elevate your laundry appliances and cabinets above the water line. We can also install cabinets made from flood-resilient materials featuring removable kickboards, making them significantly easier to clean and dry out after an event.
- Sturdy Doors and Switches: Install solid doors, which withstand water damage far better than hollow ones, and ensure all power switches are placed higher up the walls to reduce the risk of outages.
4. Financing and Insurance
Mitigating flood risk is an investment. If your property faces a severe risk to life during a flood, Auckland Council introduced grants following the 2023 storms that cover up to 25% of the property’s 2021 capital value. This funding can be used for major structural works, such as raising the home or strengthening foundations.
Furthermore, while insurance companies are still adapting their standard pricing models to reflect home adaptations, it is highly recommended that you notify your insurer of any mitigation work you complete. Proactive measures may help in future premium discussions.
The Retro Construction Difference
When implementing major structural changes or raising floor levels, professional advice is essential to ensure that any alterations are properly consented by the local council.
As Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs), Retro Construction manages the entire compliance process. We work alongside engineers to ensure that your flood-resilient upgrades not only meet the strict New Zealand Building Code but also beautifully align with the traditional character and modern comforts of your home.
Thinking about renovating? Let’s build a home that is ready for the future. Contact our in-house experts today for an onsite consultation and estimation.
Retro Construction Ltd Traditional Experience / Modern Style
Email: info@retroconstruction.co.nz
