Family Shares Smart Money Tips for Renovate vs Move Dilemma

When Katie Wesney's family ran out of space in their North Shore home with three kids under six, she made a decision that saved them thousands and taught her a lesson she now shares with clients every week.

Before choosing between renovating or moving, Wesney did something most people skip. She called a real estate agent not to sell, but to get three simple numbers: her home's current value, its worth after renovation, and what a similar upgraded home would cost to buy.

That early phone call changed everything. Combined with building quotes (plus a smart 20% buffer), the numbers showed staying put made financial sense. The family renovated in 2014, navigating dust, noise and three small children for months.

The real breakthrough came when builders discovered rotten joists under her daughter's bedroom floor. That 20% contingency she'd built in covered the unexpected repair completely. Old houses hide secrets, and her buffer meant no financial panic when they surfaced.

Wesney also learned an expensive lesson about timing. The family skipped adding a wardrobe to save money during construction. Years later, bringing back builders, carpet installers and painters cost far more than doing it right the first time.

The decision paid off. Auckland property values climbed in the following years, and the equity they built by renovating served the family well long term.

Why This Inspires

Wesney's approach strips emotion from one of life's hardest decisions. She asks clients to identify the real problem first: are you fixing the house or escaping the neighborhood? Renovations can't improve school zones or shorten commutes, only honest clarity can.

Her method accounts for hidden costs most people miss. Moving isn't just the price difference between homes. Agent fees, legal costs, inspections and moving trucks add $40,000 to $60,000 for mid-range Auckland properties.

She also warns against over-renovating. If the best homes on your street sell for $250,000 more than yours and renovations cost $180,000, the math works. If they only sell for $100,000 more, you're spending money you'll never recover.

The spreadsheet misses one crucial cost though: disruption. Living on a construction site with young kids is survivable but genuinely hard. Wesney says families in demanding seasons need to weigh wellbeing alongside dollars. Sometimes the pricier option protects what matters most.

Now a qualified financial adviser and Head Strategic Coach at Enable Me, Wesney helps others make this choice with clear eyes and honest numbers. Her message is simple: run the numbers properly, know what problem you're solving, and if you renovate with kids in the house, stock up on patience.