Home Renovation Planning Software: 15 Best Tools for 2025

Choosing paint colours is easy—choosing which wall should actually stay upright isn’t. That’s where home-renovation planning software shines. The latest apps let you drag walls, drop kitchen islands, swing through 3D walkthroughs, and punch numbers into cost calculators long before a single nail meets timber. Whether you’re a first-time DIYer sketching out a bathroom upgrade or a builder chasing permit-ready drawings, these digital toolkits turn tape-measure scribbles into accurate floor plans, realistic renders, AR previews and even itemised budgets.

The catch? There are hundreds of platforms promising “one-click” magic, many of them charging by the month, the render, or the export. Sifting promo copy from practical features can feel harder than removing old gib. That’s why we’ve road-tested and ranked the 15 stand-out options for 2025, highlighting who they suit, how much they cost in NZ dollars, and where each one still needs polish.

The list runs from the easiest drag-and-drop apps through to professional-grade BIM suites, scored on usability, depth of design tools, AI smarts, cost estimation, platform support, local availability and overall value this year.

1. Planner 5D

For anyone opening home-renovation planning software for the first time, Planner 5D feels more like The Sims than AutoCAD—yet the results are scale-accurate and shareable.

Quick look: Why Planner 5D tops beginner-friendly lists

• Drag-and-drop walls, doors and 6,000-plus objects
• One-click photorealistic 3D and VR walkthroughs
• Fresh 2025 “Smart Design Generator” suggests room layouts in seconds

Stand-out features for 2025

• AI auto-furnish and style matching
• VR tours on Meta Quest 3
• NZ/AU material packs (Coloursteel, James Hardie)
• Optional cost estimator with live $NZ conversion

Ideal user & project types

First-time renovators mocking up kitchens, bathrooms or full layouts without touching CAD.

Pricing & platform availability

Freemium: free tier caps at 5 projects and SD renders.
Plus NZ$69/yr, Pro NZ$185/yr (monthly plans cost ~20% more).
Runs in browser, Android and iOS apps sync via cloud.

Where it may fall short

• No structural load analysis or consent-ready docs
• Exports limited to PNG, PDF, and proprietary format unless on Pro

Get started fast

Measure your space, snap a floor-plan photo, import it, enable “AI Design”, and share the auto-generated 3D tour link with your builder or tradies.

2. Chief Architect Home Designer Suite 2025

If you’ve ever Googled “What software do professional remodelers use?”, this is the one that pops up. Chief Architect’s consumer-grade line packs a surprising amount of pro muscle, now delivered through flexible cloud licensing so you can hop between the office PC and a site laptop without de-authorising seats.

Quick look: The pro remodeler’s favourite

• Produces permit-ready drawings, schedules and 3D renders in the same file
• Auto-generates elevations, sections and framing details as you draft
• New cloud licensing lets you float a single licence across two devices

New for 2025

• Real-time ray-tracing engine for photo-quality previews
• One-click material take-off with export to CSV
• Built-in NZS 3604 timber-framing presets and bracing schedules

Best for

Serious DIY-ers, builders and interior designers who need construction detail, not just pretty pictures.

Pricing & versions (NZD, rounded)

• Home Designer Suite 2025: one-off $399 or $32/mo subscription
• Architectural: $695; adds HVAC, site tools
• Pro: $1,395; full BIM + terrain modelling
• Runs on Windows 11 & macOS Sonoma

Pros & cons

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Permit-grade outputs	Steep learning curve
Automatic framing & BoQ	Hefty system requirements
Cloud licence portability	Higher upfront cost

Quick start tips

1. Watch the built-in 90-second “Getting Started” video.
2. Drop a “Room Divider Wall” to test knock-throughs without breaking structure.
3. Use the NZS 3604 preset to ensure stud sizes meet local code.

3. SketchUp Pro & SketchUp Free

The name “SketchUp” is practically shorthand for quick 3D modelling. Unlike heavier CAD packages, its push-pull interface lets you sculpt walls, cabinetry or pergolas as if you’re working with digital plywood.

Overview & USP

SketchUp’s killer move is speed: trace a line, pull it into a wall, drop windows from the 3D Warehouse and you’re previewing an extension before smoko. Plug-ins fill any gaps, from sunlight studies to cut-list generators.

New for 2025

• Generative-AI “SketchUp Diffusion” that adds realistic textures in a click
• Higher-fidelity Revit imports, keeping BIM data intact
• Browser-based AR viewer for on-site scale checking

User profile

Ideal for designers or advanced DIY-ers who want precision and a vast plug-in ecosystem without jumping into full BIM complexity.

Pricing & ecosystem

• Free Web: core tools, 10 GB cloud storage
• Go: NZ$189/yr, adds iPad + AR
• Pro: NZ$479/yr, desktop, LayOut docs, XR headset exports
• Studio: NZ$899/yr with Scan Essentials & V-Ray
  All plans include Trimble Connect cloud workspace.

Advantages / Limitations

• • Massive 3D Warehouse assets
• • Fast learning curve for 3D forms
• – 2D documentation relies on separate LayOut module
• – No native cost estimator

Actionable example

Model a vaulted garage ceiling, tag rafters as components, then export a “Generate Report” CSV for your builder’s cut-list—saving back-and-forth emails and off-cuts.

4. RoomSketcher

If you want to see how a new splashback or sofa colour will look before you hit “Add to Cart”, RoomSketcher is a no-stress way to do it. The browser-based app focuses on speed over structural detail: trace a room, drop furniture, then switch surfaces on the fly and watch the 3D view update instantly. For Kiwi users, every cost estimate now flips to NZ dollars, so your budget sheet matches the Mitre 10 checkout.

Snapshot

RoomSketcher is an online floor-plan creator that pairs drag-and-drop walls with instant 3D snapshots and live material swapping.

2025 highlights

• AI “Replace Finish” swaps flooring or benchtops in one click
• Built-in cost calculator with NZ$ toggle
• Real-time co-editing for remote client sessions

Best suited to

Homeowners trialling single-room makeovers and interior stylists pitching quick mood boards.

Plans & devices

Free, VIP, and Pro subscriptions; works via web, Windows desktop companion, and iPad app.

Pros / Cons

• • Super-low learning curve
• – Limited structural wall settings (no lintel sizing)

Tips

Upload the real-estate PDF of your floor plan, let the auto-trace tool detect walls, and you’re prototyping in under five minutes.

5. SmartDraw

Better known for org-charts, SmartDraw’s renovation module now bundles quick floor plans and project timelines in one browser tab—handy when you need diagrams and schedules side-by-side.

Why it stands out

• Auto-dimensioning snaps to NZ metric units as you draw
• 450 + renovation, electrical, and plumbing templates slash setup time

New in 2025

• AI “One-Click Bathroom” that positions fixtures to code instantly
• Direct export to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for live comments

Ideal users

Project managers and site leads who want Gantt charts, floor plans, and risk matrices in a single ecosystem.

Pricing

Subscription only: about NZ$15/month solo; ~NZ$10/user for teams (annual billing).

Strengths / Weaknesses

👍 Strength	👎 Weakness
Huge diagram library	No realistic 3D viewer

Practical use case

Map a demolition sequence, link each phase to the timeline, then email the combined PDF to tradies for fuss-free coordination.

6. HomeByMe

Picture browsing an IKEA-style catalogue, but every sofa, tap ware or pendant light sits inside a digital clone of your own home. That’s the shtick behind HomeByMe, a cloud-based 3D planner built around real-world product visualisation rather than technical drafting. Drag in walls, drop in branded furniture, hit “Realistic Render” and you’ve got marketing-grade images to share on social or with trades.

At-a-glance

• Browser and mobile workspace with one-click switch between 2D, 3D and first-person views
• Direct partnerships with IKEA, Ligne Roset and Mitre 10 for scale-accurate models
• Renders that rival architectural CGI without the learning curve

2025 upgrades

• ARKit/ARCore room-scanning converts phone footage into editable plans
• NZ appliance and tap-ware catalogue, pricing auto-converted to NZ$
• Multi-sun-path simulation tests shading across seasons—handy for decking decisions

Target audience

Homeowners and décor obsessives who buy with their eyes first, plus interior stylists pitching mood boards to clients.

Cost & export options

Freemium account includes unlimited projects, basic SD images. Pay-per-render from $5 NZ for 4K stills or 360° panoramas; annual “Unlimited Renders” pass sits around $299 NZ.

Pros / Cons

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Photoreal visuals and real products	High-res renders cost extra
Zero install, works on any device	Limited structural detailing

Quick start

Scan a room with your phone, import the mesh, swap the exterior cladding to a NZ Cedar weatherboard texture, then generate a 360° panorama to share with the family WhatsApp group. They’ll “walk” the reno before you’ve lifted a hammer.

7. Floorplanner

Floorplanner is the speed-demon of home renovation planning software—open a browser tab, sketch walls, and you’re touring a 3D model before the kettle’s boiled. It’s purpose-built for quick feasibility checks rather than deep structural detailing.

Why it made the list

• Instant switch between 2D plans and auto-generated 3D
• “Magic Layout” seats, beds and appliances with one click
• Zero install; runs on any modern browser

2025 focus

• Batch-AI furniture placement across multiple rooms
• New “Renovation Phases” layers to toggle demo vs new build
• Faster cloud renderer with 4K stills

Suitable for

REALTORS prepping listings, DIY sellers, and early-stage renovators needing rapid sizing.

Pricing

Credit-based: Free starter project; extra exports from ~NZ$2 each, or NZ$79/yr “Plus” with unlimited drafts.

Upsides / Downsides

👍 Fast	👎 Limited
Lightning-quick modelling	No BIM exports

Example workflow

Run “Magic Layout”, duplicate the plan, add a “Phase 2” layer for new walls, then share the view-only URL with council or tradies—no login required.

8. Sweet Home 3D

Running on Java and funded by fans, Sweet Home 3D proves you don’t always need a subscription to sketch a renovation. Download the tiny installer (or fire up the browser version) and you’re dragging walls, dropping community-made furniture, and cruising a split-screen 2D/3D view in minutes.

2025 updates

• WebGL viewer now streams smoother, even on a Chromebook
• New parametric staircase wizard—set rise, run, baluster style and it builds the model automatically

Best suited to budget-minded DIY-ers on Windows, macOS, or Linux who care more about layout accuracy than glossy renders.

Pricing: 100 % free; developers accept optional donations for coffee.

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Open-source, no paywalls	Interface looks 2010
Runs on almost any computer	Smaller furniture catalogue

Quick start: import a scanned PNG floor plan, calibrate the scale, trace walls with “Create Walls”, then eyeball clearances in the live 3D preview before buying a single stud.

9. Cedreo

Cedreo turns plain floor plans into glossy 3D house renders, all from a browser—no heavy installs or steep BIM learning curves.

Snapshot

Drag walls, roofs, and joinery, then click “Render” to produce marketing-grade visuals in under two hours—handy when a client meeting is booked for Friday afternoon already.

2025 additions

• Live team co-editing
• AI landscape generator plants NZ-specific flora automatically
• New acoustic simulator checks garage-to-lounge noise transfer

Ideal users

Builders, architects, and design-build outfits needing sales visuals fast without investing in full-blown BIM software.

Pricing tiers

Basic: free one project. Pro from ~NZ$89 / month adds unlimited projects, HD renders, DWG export. Enterprise negotiable.

Strengths & weaknesses

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Renders in minutes	Limited interior detailing
Cloud-based	No quantity take-off

Quick start

Start with a template, swap the façade to Coloursteel ‘FlaxPod’, hit Render, and text the 3D link to decision-makers for instant feedback.

10. Magicplan

Magicplan turns your phone into a laser tape, LiDAR scanner and quantity surveyor rolled into one. Walk the perimeter, tap corners and the app spits out scale-correct plans and instant budget numbers—ideal when you’re still in steel-caps, not at a desk.

Overview

Mobile-first home renovation planning software that converts camera or LiDAR scans into floor plans, elevation views, and auto-generated take-offs in minutes.

What’s new for 2025

• Cross-room structural detection spots continuous load-bearing walls automatically
• NZ-specific component library (90 × 45 H1.2 studs, Coloursteel roofs, etc.)
• AI cost estimator synced with Mitre 10’s live price book for on-site budgeting

Best for

Tradies, quantity surveyors and DIYers who need accurate measurements and ballpark costs while still on site.

Pricing

Subscription per device: Essentials NZ$19 / mo, Standard NZ$45, Business NZ$149 with team sharing and API access.

Pros / Cons

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
LiDAR accuracy to ±1 cm	Limited desktop editing
Generates BoQ & estimates fast	Requires modern iOS/Android hardware

Workflow example

Scan a room, let Magicplan auto-label doors and windows, generate the Bill of Quantities, then export the CSV to your accountant’s spreadsheet in under ten minutes.

11. Remodel AI

Remodel AI is the TikTok-speed shortcut for visualising “what if” options without drawing a single wall. Point it at a current room or façade photo and the cloud engine returns multiple remodel looks in under a minute.

Why it’s hot in 2025

• Uses the same diffusion AI powering MidJourney-style art generators
• Answers the common PAA query “Is there an AI for home renovations?” with a hard yes
• New NZ texture pack (Coloursteel, vitex decking) added this year

Notable features

• Upload photo → instant style suggestions (Scandi, Coastal, Industrial, Japandi)
• Detects surfaces (walls, floors, roof) and swaps finishes realistically
• Batch-render up to 20 variations for A/B testing

Best users

Inspiration-hungry homeowners, Instagram creators and designers needing fast mood images.

Pricing & limits

Free trial includes 5 renders; paid credit bundles from NZ$14 for 50 images; web and iOS app sync across devices.

Pros / Cons

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Zero learning curve, super-fast	No editable floor plan data
Inspires multiple aesthetics	Credits disappear quickly

Use tip

Snap a straight-on photo of your garage frontage, queue three cladding options, then forward the favourite render to your builder—no brownie points lost on guesswork.

12. Plan7Architect

Old-school power users know Plan7Architect as that “do-everything” suite you buy once and keep for a decade. The 2025 edition doubles down on technical depth, letting owner-builders tweak stud spacing, run energy simulations, and then pop on a headset for a one-to-one VR wander—all without a cloud subscription meter ticking in the background.

Highlights

• Full structural editor: walls, beams, trusses, foundation footings
• Built-in energy and daylight analysis for renovation compliance
• One-click VR walkthroughs (Meta Quest & HTC Vive)

2025 upgrades

• AI measurement from photos—snap your existing room and it reverse-engineers dimensions
• NZ insulation and R-value presets keyed to climate zones
• Revamped UI skins for high-DPI laptops

Ideal audience

Owner-builders and advanced DIYers chasing energy-efficient, code-compliant renovation plans.

Pricing

Lifetime licence NZ$389; optional VR module NZ$79 add-on. Windows only.

Strengths / Weaknesses

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Detailed building physics	UI still feels dense
No ongoing fees	Steeper learning curve than drag-and-drop apps

Quick start

Pick climate zone “NZ 3”, launch the Energy Wizard, and let Plan7Architect suggest upgraded wall assemblies before you order the first batt of insulation.

13. Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner

Houzz turned its giant inspiration platform into a fully-fledged business cockpit, and the 3D Floor Planner is the pièce de résistance. It slots visual design, quoting and client comms into the same browser tab, so you’re not shuffling between half a dozen home renovation planning software tools.

Overview & USP

Part of the wider Houzz Pro SaaS suite, it lets designers pull leads from the Houzz marketplace, sketch scale-correct rooms, furnish them with branded products, and manage the project timeline without leaving the dashboard.

What’s new for 2025

• AI mood-board generator auto-matches colours and finishes
• Cost-tracking now defaults to NZD and syncs with Xero
• Direct ordering from the Houzz supplier marketplace

Ideal user

Interior designers or renovation firms juggling prospects, concept visuals and paperwork.

Pricing & plans

Tiered subscriptions; 3D design tools unlock from the “Essential” plan (about NZ$119 / month) upward.

Pros / Cons

👍 All-in-one workflow	👎 Pricey for hobbyists

Application example

Draft a kitchen concept, drop it into a mood board, auto-generate a detailed proposal, and capture the client’s e-signature—all inside one browser tab.

14. Foyr Neo

Need to whip up glossy, client-ready visuals before the weekend? Foyr Neo is the speed freak of home renovation planning software, trading heavyweight CAD options for a streamlined cloud workflow that builds, furnishes and renders a space in minutes. Designers rave about its one-click materials and GPU path-tracing engine that turns even a mid-range laptop into a render farm.

Snapshot

• Browser-based 3D modeller focused on real-time lighting and photorealistic output
• Drag-and-drop furniture library with NZ metric defaults

2025 new tools

• AI auto-modeller converts scanned floor plans into editable 3D shells
• GPU-accelerated path-tracing for shadow-accurate renders in under two minutes
• “Smart Daylight” preset simulates true north-aligned sun angles for NZ locations

User fit

Interior designers and visual-first homeowners who value show-stopping imagery over deep construction docs.

Pricing

Monthly NZ$79 or annual NZ$749; unlimited projects, tier-based render quotas (top tier = unlimited).

Pros / Cons

👍 Pros	👎 Cons
Blazing-fast photoreal renders	Limited technical drawings
Intuitive, cloud-based UI	No native cost estimation

Starter tip

Import a SketchUp (.skp) file, apply the “Natural Light – Overcast” preset, and watch Neo nail a lifelike Kiwi winter ambience without extra tweaking.

15. AutoCAD LT & Revit LT Suite

Even in a field crammed with AI-powered newcomers, Autodesk’s cut-down duo still sets the drafting benchmark. AutoCAD LT handles rock-solid 2D detail; Revit LT adds a streamlined BIM workflow for elevations, schedules and clash checks. For Kiwi renovators who need council-consent drawings or must swap DWGs with architects, these “LT” licences deliver the essentials of their big brothers without the five-figure price tag—making them a perennial entry on any home renovation planning software shortlist.

Why include these classics

• Universal DWG/DXF compatibility keeps trades, engineers and councils on the same page.
• Trusted toolset means there’s always a YouTube tutorial or local drafter who can jump in.

2025 updates

• AI command predictions surface the next likely tool, trimming clicks.
• Cloud “BIM Collaborate” bundle now offered with LT Suite for shared mark-ups.
• Native Apple-Silicon support cuts render/export times on new MacBooks.

Best suited to

Technically confident DIY-ers, architects and design-build firms needing precision drafting, permit sets and revision control rather than glossy marketing renders.

Pricing

Subscription only (NZD, rounded):

• AutoCAD LT: $99 / month or $999 / year
• Revit LT: $119 / month or $1,199 / year
• LT Suite bundle: $1,499 / year (saves ~20 %)

Advantages / Limitations

👍 Advantages	👎 Limitations
Industry-standard precision	Steep learning curve
Council-ready PDFs & DWGs	No built-in photoreal renderer
Cloud collaboration options	Windows/macOS only

Quick start example

1. Import a scanned floor plan PNG.
2. Use XLINE + OFFSET to trace walls on correct layers (e.g., Existing, Demolition, New).
3. Open in Revit LT, convert walls to BIM objects, add plumbing and electrical families, then export a multi-sheet PDF set ready for council lodgement—all before calling the builder back for pricing.

Get Your Renovations Rolling

The right piece of home renovation planning software cuts hours of guesswork, keeps budgets honest, and lets you live-test design ideas before the first skip arrives. Pick a tool that matches your tech confidence, device, and need for either glossy renders or council-ready drawings.

In practice you’ll:

• Sketch accurate floor plans in minutes, not evenings
• Visualise finishes, lighting and furniture at true scale
• Export estimates and schedules your tradies can action immediately

That speed translates into fewer mistakes and a clearer spend map—money you can funnel into statement upgrades like a new garage roller door. If your reno plans include the car hole, check out the affordable, custom-made options at DoorsNZ and keep the momentum rolling.