Frequently Asked Questions

Park Terrace Construction is owned and managed by Callum Francis, a second-generation builder from Christchurch. Callum is a dedicated perfectionist who believes the foundation of great building outcomes is meticulous preparation and great personal relationships.

Park Terrace Construction is based in Christchurch with a yard in Marshland.

Park Terrace Construction builds renovations, alterations, bathrooms, refurbishments to existing buildings, and repairs and re-clads leaky homes.

Park Terrace Construction is different from other Christchurch builders because we genuinely care about the people we work for, our workmanship is excellent, and we make friends with our clients.

Yes, we work on both residential and light commercial projects.

Park Terrace Construction is a licensed building practitioner in New Zealand.

Yes, we work with architects, designers and engineers as required by the particular projects we’re working on.

We believe that homeowners consider Park Terrace Construction one of the best builders in Christchurch because we do what we say we’re going to do. We’re open and transparent, the quality of our work is exceptional, and we always aim to give our clients the very best building experience possible.

Yes, we provide construction services across Christchurch and Canterbury. Please get in touch to discuss your project.

We work in all Christchurch suburbs and the wider Canterbury area.

Yes, we are the specialists in home renovations in Christchurch.

Yes, we can. In fact, renovating older Christchurch homes and villas is what we love doing the most.

Yes, we can build home extensions and additions in Christchurch.

Yes, we can modernise older homes while keeping their special character intact

The best way to start your home renovation journey is by getting in touch with us for a chat about your vision. We can help you understand what you should consider, including design, planning, and your budget.

The length of time a renovation takes depends on its scope, the type of property and its location. For example, a bathroom renovation usually takes three to six weeks, while a full house renovation could take 12 weeks or more. When you talk to us, we can give you a good indication of what to expect for your project.

Renovations do enhance the value of a house, but they must be thought through carefully and accurately budgeted to see if the expense stacks up against the expected future value of the property.

Yes, we frequently carry out full home makeovers. Some of our leaky home projects have involved making over every corner of the house.

Yes, we love working on heritage and character properties in Christchurch, in fact it’s our favourite type of project. If you have one, please get in touch.

Yes, we love restoring and renovating heritage homes. It’s our specialty.

The main thing that homeowners should know about before renovating a heritage property is the integrity of the house’s foundations. We will only embark on renovating the remainder of the house once we know the foundation is solid and strong. Everything must be straight, level, and plumb. The floor level must be within MBIE tolerances. The next most important thing to know is that during the renovation, we’re likely to encounter rot, borer, and other variables that require repairs and will add extra expense to rectify.

Yes, we can help preserve the character of old homes by sympathetically renovating them so they stand strong for another 100 years or more.

Yes, we are specialists in house levelling in Christchurch.

House levelling refers to the process of repairing the level of the floor so it’s within MBIE tolerances. A level floor is necessary so that doors and windows open and close freely. A level floor is also a necessary condition of most new house insurance policies.

The signs that the floor of a house needs levelling are cracks in the foundation and exterior walls. Jamming doors and windows, uneven flooring, and cracked interior wall linings.

Yes, house levelling is often carried out as part of earthquake repairs.

The time a house levelling project takes depends on the scope of the job – the size of the house, its age, cladding type, and location. The planning and preparation time is usually around four weeks, then up to 2 months on site.

Yes, a level floor is a key factor in improving the value and stability of a home.

Yes, working with foundations and carrying out structural repairs is a fundamental part of many home renovations and alterations in Christchurch.

Yes, we do build new homes in Christchurch and Canterbury.

The best first step in building a new home is talking to us so we can help you clearly understand everything that goes into building your new home. We can direct you to the best architects and draftspeople for your project, and get the best contractors on the job for you.

Yes, we can build any type of home, including architecturally designed bespoke and custom homes.

Yes, we frequently work with architects or existing plans to build new houses

As a general estimate, new builds take around three months once we start work at your site.

The key to a quality new build is careful design, planning and preparation. The preliminary work sets the stage for success once we begin the actual building work at your site. Later, you can ensure a quality final result by choosing reputable brand fixtures and fittings, and by using quality finishing materials.

Yes, we build decks, fences and retaining walls in Christchurch.

The best material for decks in Christchurch is hardwood. It moves less and is more durable than softwood like pine. We use h4-treated timber and stainless steel fixings to cope with our salty sea air, which can corrode normal steel, especially near the coast.
Fences are mostly made from pine, although you can choose aluminium or other materials for a more premium look.

Yes, the purpose of retaining walls is to help stabilise and secure sloped and unstable sections.

A well-designed and nicely constructed outdoor living space in the right place can add value to your home.

Yes, we can replace old or damaged decks and fences.

Yes, we do build custom outdoor entertaining areas.

Yes, recladding leaky homes is one of the most popular building services we provide to Christchurch home owners.

Recladding involves removing the old cladding from a house and replacing it with a new cavity cladding system that keeps moisture out effectively and allows dry air to circulate. Recladding is usually needed for leaky homes, and can be complicated by the roof type – for example, flat membrane roofs, other considerations are ground clearances, and affected doors and window frames.

Yes, the whole aim of recladding is to improve weather tightness and the insulation performance of a house.

Thermal imaging will reveal if a house has moisture in the structure under the walls. If the house was constructed in the 80s or 90s using a polystyrene cladding, it’s likely that it might need recladding now or at some point in the future. Other signs are mould and algae, swollen skirting, spongy internal linings, and damp or mouldy spots on the ceiling.

Yes, we do provide light commercial construction services in Christchurch.

We have worked on a range of light commercial building projects, including shops, bars, and restaurants.

Yes, we regularly work with business owners and property developers.

Yes, we can manage a building project from start to finish.

To get a quote from Park Terrace Construction, give Callum Francis a call on 027 932 4158 or email us at info@parkterraceconstruction.co.nz

At the initial consultation, we’ll discuss what you require and give you an estimate of the cost. We charge for full quotes, but the cost of the quote will come off the price if you proceed with the job.

Yes, we will refer you to the right people.

Yes, part of our service is project management.

The cost of any renovation or building project is entirely dependent on the scope of the project, its scale, the materials involved, the location, and many other variables unique to the job. The best approach is to get in touch and talk to us about what you have in mind.

There is a wide range of factors that can affect the cost of a construction project. And because every project has its own unique set of variables, ranging from the site you want to build on to the finishing materials you choose, each one must be estimated and quoted individually.