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Title: Throwback to 2023: Celebrating a Year of Quality Retro Projects URL: https://retroconstruction.co.nz/throwback-to-2023-retro-projects/ Meta Description: Take a look back at Retro Construction’s 2023 highlights. From custom villa restorations and modern reclads to creating extra space in Auckland homes, discover how we delivered quality building solutions last year.
Throwback to 2023: Celebrating a Year of Quality Retro Past Projects
As we push forward into another busy year at Retro Construction, it is valuable to pause and reflect on the work that brought us here. 2023 was a year defined by diversity. From the delicate restoration of 100-year-old villas to commercial maintenance in East Tamaki, our team lived up to our motto: “Traditional Experience/Modern Style.”
Looking back at our project data, we see a clear trend: we are the go-to team for homeowners who need reliable, high-quality renovations, regardless of the size. While we successfully delivered large-scale extensions, our “bread and butter” remained helping Kiwi families improve the homes they love through smart, small-to-medium renovations.
Here is a throwback to some of the standout moments and success stories from 2023.
1. Mastering the Modern Bathroom
A significant portion of our work in 2023 involved bringing 1960s and 70s homes into the 21st century. Clients like Tania Nieuwoudt approached us with a common Auckland problem: a small bathroom that lacked functionality.
Rather than just replacing tiles, our practical design team focused on spatial efficiency. By rethinking the layout, we created extra floor space and “packing space” (storage) that the client hadn’t thought possible. For other clients, like Navan and Wayne, straightforward bathroom renovations transformed their daily routines.
- The Lesson: You don’t need a massive footprint to create a luxury feel. With our new immediate 3D visualization technology, we can now show you exactly how a new layout will look before demolition even begins.
2. The Art of the Reclad and Restoration
One of the year’s technical highlights was a full reclad project in East Auckland. This project involved stripping dated joinery and replacing it with modern double-glazed aluminum units and bi-fold doors to improve outdoor flow. We utilized a mix of James Hardie Linea and Oblique cladding to give the home a fresh, two-tone modern aesthetic.
However, not all cladding jobs are about “new.” One of our proudest moments was the restoration of a 100-year-old villa. When we couldn’t find a supplier for the specific heritage weatherboards required, we didn’t compromise. Our team used routers and wood turners to hand-manufacture the drip edge and profile cut over a 6-metre length.
- The Lesson: True craftsmanship means solving problems, not just assembling parts.
3. Extensions and “Space Making”
For growing families, 2023 was the year of finding more room. We worked with clients like Alvin Naicker to complete a living room extension with a wrap-around deck. This build was particularly delicate as the family had a newborn baby. Our team, led by Irne Grobler, managed the site to ensure the living space wasn’t disrupted until absolutely necessary.
We also looked upwards and downwards for space. Our attic conversions—lining garage ceilings with ply and installing Sellwood access ladders—proved to be a cost-effective way for clients to gain massive amounts of storage without altering the building’s footprint.
4. Commercial Reliability: “Nothing Too Big or Small”
While residential work keeps us busy, 2023 reinforced our reputation in the commercial sector. Property managers at complex sites like Nesuto Newhaven (176 apartments) relied on us for the “small but vital” jobs that other contractors often ignore—such as fixing burst water pipes or cutting concrete steps for new infrastructure.
Whether it is a full commercial build or ongoing maintenance, our approach remains the same: we perfect them all.
5. The “Secret Sauce” Behind the Success
Why were these 2023 projects successful? It comes down to two operational pillars that we prioritize at Retro Construction:
A. Managing “Preliminaries” (P&G) We treat every site, whether a small bathroom or a commercial build, like a temporary factory. In 2023, we focused on transparently managing “Preliminaries”—the costs for site safety, waste management, and compliance. By accurately forecasting these costs (which often range from 11-15% of a project), we ensured our sites were safe, legal, and that clients faced no budget shocks.
B. Competitive Bidding To get our clients the best value in 2023, we utilized a competitive bidding process for subcontractors. Rather than relying on a single electrician or plumber, we requested multiple quotes for expensive ticket items. This ensured our clients received market-related rates and allowed us to vet tradespeople for quality and reliability.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on 2023, we are grateful to our clients—from the introverts who trusted us with their personal space to the busy families juggling renovations and work.
If you are inspired by these throwback projects and want to create your own “After” photo in 2024 or 2025, we are ready to help.
Contact Retro Construction today. From concept to completion, let’s build something great together.
