The Renovation Team will make it happen for you

About-Us

At The Renovation Team, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results through skilled craftsmanship, clear communication, and meticulous project management. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, we ensure every project meets and exceeds your expectations. Here’s how we make it happen:

Why Choose The Renovation Team?

In 2007, James Goren thought he had the perfect life. He was a Manufacturing Process Engineer in a global company, living in a beautiful Auckland home with a growing family, enjoying the classic Kiwi lifestyle: short workdays, beach weekends, and jet ski adventures. Life, it seemed, was set.
But everything changed when a trusted friend defrauded him of $200,000. As the legal battle dragged on, the stress mounted. Then came the second blow. James’s employer restructured and laid off 40 staff. He was one of them.
“It felt like being thrown into freezing water,” James recalls.
Facing financial ruin and with a family to support, James knew he could no longer rely on job security. That was the turning point. He turned to property investment and discovered the power of smart renovation.
He immersed himself in property strategy, joined a mentoring group, and surrounded himself with experienced investors. James applied his engineering mindset to renovation projects, treating each property like a production line: measured, strategic, and value focused.
His first projects were a breakthrough. By refining layouts, selecting cost-effective upgrades, and coordinating trades with precision, he consistently added 30 to 50 percent value in just a few weeks. This allowed him to refinance and grow his portfolio. Word quickly spread among Auckland investors: “How does James Goren add so much value, so fast?”
From those early successes, The Renovation Team was born.
From Investor to Industry Leader
What began as a personal comeback evolved into a thriving renovation business. James built The Renovation Team to solve the exact problems that frustrated him and other homeowners: poor communication, shifting timelines, budget blowouts, and uncoordinated trades.
Using his engineering background and 20 years of corporate project management, James developed a streamlined and structured renovation process that delivers a smooth, stress free experience from start to finish.
Today, The Renovation Team is one of Auckland’s most trusted renovation companies. The team is known for delivering fixed price, fixed duration renovation solutions across all types of homes, from first time buyer properties to full family upgrades.
With more than 300 successful projects completed, James and his team manage every step of the journey: design, council consent, trades, materials, installation, and final handover. Clients can literally hand over the keys, go on holiday, and return to a fully renovated home. Champagne and chocolates on the bench at the final walk through celebrate the successful transformation.
More Than Renovation: Creating Experience and Equity
What truly sets James apart is his ability to simplify complex renovations and consistently deliver results that are both visually stunning and financially strategic. His model creates not just beautiful homes, but real equity, long term value, and peace of mind.
James is also a regular speaker at property events and a contributor to property magazines and newspapers. He is one of the featured experts on the Sky TV renovation series “Adding Value”.
He shares his knowledge through social media and YouTube, offering practical insights, real life transformations, and guidance for Kiwi homeowners and investors who want to do it right the first time.
James’s Mission
“My mission is simple. Deliver high quality renovations, create long term value, and help Kiwis build a better future by transforming homes.”
If you are looking for a renovation partner who brings structure, strategy, and genuine care to every project, James Goren and The Renovation Team are here to help you create a better renovation experience.
James Goren – Founder and Director of The Renovation Team
James Goren didn’t just start a renovation company, he rebuilt his life from the ground up.

Our top management

  • Karin Horen
    Marketing Consultant
    Raised in a family of developers—from her grandfather to her father—Karin developed a fascination with property from an early age. At 21, she pursued studies in architecture and interior design, completing a number of projects before shifting her focus to marketing and sales. Despite the shift, Karin always knew she would one day return to the property world.
    A passionate philanthropist, Karin is the co-founder of the iconic fundraiser Paddle for Hope and is also a sought-after motivational speaker. For the past two years, she has worked as a real estate recruiter, engaging daily with professionals across the industry.
    Driven by the motto “She believed she could, so she did,” Karin is known for her commitment to excellent service and her ever-present smile.
    Karin thrives on connection and communication. Her role combines sales and marketing support with direct client engagement—where her love for helping people shines through. She finds true joy in seeing clients turn their dreams into reality.
  • Sunvi Ahsan
    Project manager

    Graduated in 2006 as mechatronics engineer and worked in oil and gas, and geothermal power plants for 10 years. Sunvi is currently focused on working in his passion in the residential housing industry.

    He has been investing since 2006 and has bought a wide variety of investment properties and adds value by reconfiguring specs or constructing new builds.

    Has subject matter expertise on areas to invest, adding value and future growth potentials in Auckland. His knowledge is applied to get the most for our customers to ensure solid steps for first home buyers and investors.

  • Pam
    Project coordinator
    Pam developed a personal interest in property improvement while managing the renovations of her previous homes.
    She contracted the services of The Renovation Team while renovating her current house, and subsequently decided to join the Team as Project Coordinator.
    She handles many of the daily tasks of working closely with our procurement partners, customers and tradies.
    Pam utilises skills gained from her degree from The University of Auckland, including developing detailed project schedules to ensure that renovations run smoothly.
    She ensures everything is efficiently communicated and coordinated, making the renovation process an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Welcome to the NZ renovation TV SHow: "ADDING VALUE"

Here’s a frame from the popular TV show ADDING VALUE, airing on Sky Channel 83. This program is for those who strive to make their homes better, increase their property value, and create a cozy living space. At the center of it all is James Goren, the charismatic host and an expert with vast experience, leading the professional Renovation Team.

TV show ADDING VALUE

Stay Informed and in Control Through Our Online Renovation Project Management Platform

You receive direct access to our advanced online renovation project management platform, giving you clear visibility and better control of your renovation progress from anywhere in the world.

In one organised place, you can view site photos, review progress updates, follow the schedule, track approved variations, see invoices and communicate directly with our team.
Whether you are at home, at work or overseas, you can stay connected to your renovation journey with confidence.
construction planning application
Renovation consultant discussing home renovation plans with homeowners at a kitchen island
Detailed renovation floor plans with material samples and measuring tape on a table
The Renovation Team members reviewing renovation progress on a tablet inside a home renovation project
Project manager completing a finished home renovation handover with homeowners in a modern kitchen

Our process

Having a detailed plan before starting the job will lead to a smooth and successful project
01
Initial discussion
We take the time to understand your renovation goals, lifestyle needs and priorities. We assess the property and provide early budget direction based on the expected scope, complexity and level of finish.
Detailed Planning
02
We develop the layout, materials, selections and Scope of Work in detail. Once the important decisions have been confirmed, we prepare your Fixed Price and Fixed Duration Renovation Package.
03
Renovation Delivery
Our team coordinates the trades, materials, scheduling and quality checks throughout your renovation.

You receive regular progress updates and access to our online renovation project management platform, while James remains your main contact throughout the build. This helps you stay informed without needing to manage the daily details yourself.
Completion and Support
04
We complete the final quality review, professionally clean your renovated home and prepare it for handover. We also remain available after completion to provide warranty information and ongoing support.

If you are interested in becoming a partner, please feel free to contact us.

Our Partners and Suppliers

Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About
Home Renovations in Auckland
The Renovation Team provides a comprehensive range of services, including full house renovations, kitchen and bathroom remodels, villa and bungalow renovations, apartment upgrades, garage conversions, house recladding, exterior painting, roofing replacements, and outdoor landscaping. They cater to both homeowners and property investors, ensuring each project aligns with the client’s vision and goals.

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