As seen on My House My Castle
Mike Smith of Woodsmith Building Co. is one of the expert builders on the Three series helping New Zealand homeowners renovate well.
My House My Castle - the classic Kiwi home renovation show - is back on Three, hosted by Hayley Sproull. Mike features as the resident expert builder alongside interior designer Shanta Trusewich, bringing a builder's perspective to the decisions that determine whether a renovation truly works.
New episodes air Wednesday nights at 7.30pm. Catch up on ThreeNow.
What a builder sees that others don't
Before a renovation begins - before materials are ordered, before consents are lodged, before a single wall is opened - an experienced builder has already formed a view.
They see how a site sits in relation to sun and wind. They see where water will move in heavy rain. They notice when a design looks right on paper but won't work in practice. They know which decisions are easy to change early and which will cost significantly more once construction is underway.
This is the perspective Mike brings to every project — and to every episode of My House My Castle.
Episode one - outdoor living
In the first episode of the new series, Mike worked alongside interior designer Shanta Trusewich of Studio Sio Interiors to transform the outdoor space of a townhouse owner.
Compact outdoor areas are one of the most common challenges in newer Auckland builds. The space exists but without considered design it rarely performs. Orientation, privacy, flow between inside and outside, and how the space is actually used all shape whether it becomes somewhere people live, or somewhere they rarely go.
Going into a renovation of your own?
Whether you watched the episode or arrived here while planning a project, the thinking behind what Mike does on site is the same thinking that goes into every Woodsmith build.
We've put together a free guide for Auckland homeowners who want to understand what experienced builders see before construction begins - the site factors, design decisions, and sequencing considerations that rarely appear on a drawing set but significantly affect how a renovation goes.
About Woodsmith Building Co.
We are Auckland-based architectural builders specialising in high-end renovations and new builds across the Eastern Bays. Mike Smith founded the company on a straightforward belief: that homes should be built to be lived in - not just to photograph well.
That means early conversations about what a site will and won't support. Honest input on what can be achieved within a budget. And a builder's eye on the details that shape daily life long after construction is complete.
