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BUILDING » Latitude Homes Wellington
October 2016 Business Central
Firm goes from strength to strength Sue Russell Since November 2014 Alix Brew has been at the helm of busy residential franchise Latitude Homes Wellington. “Carrying a building background which led eventually to project management roles and then starting my own business meant the decision to purchase the franchise came along at a good time and just made sense,” Alix says. While Latitude Homes plans often appeal to first-home owners Alix says his franchise has undertaken a wide range of residential builds, from more modest projects right through to half million dollar plus homes. Coping with a number of constructions on the go at the same time is possible because the company contracts projects out to one of three building teams. In total these teams have upwards of 25 carpenters and tradesmen on board. With a housing building boom underway Alix says it can be frustrating for home-owners and for builders alike to wait for consent processes at council level to work through and he is heartened that his local council is working on ways to streamline consent processing. Latitude Homes headquarters is in Lower Hutt and the area it services extends through the Kapiti Coast up to Levin and to Masterton in the Wairarapa. When builds are underway Alix takes on the role of project manager. He is proud of what has been achieved so far since taking on the franchise and plans to enter two projects in next years Registered Master Builders regional awards competition. The first of these two homes is situated in Upper Hutt and was an altered design from the Latitude plans. Alix says the twostorey build had its challenges. “We needed to do a lot of pushing and shoving to get exactly what the clients wanted out of the design and the result is fantastic.” The second home is in Plimmerton; a full custom-build to plans prepared by someone else. “The architecturally designed build was brought to us by a caravan sales yard who wished to make a statement with their building, which I think they achieved and were over the moon with the finished product. “Again this shows the relaxed nature of what we do and how flexible we can be, whether it is building one of our designs, doing your own custom plan through our designers or bringing us your own plans.” After emigrating from the Isle of Man 14 years ago Alix chose to settle in Wellington, initially
Latitude Homes Wellington has undertaken a wide range of residential builds, from more modest projects right through to half million dollar plus homes. specialising in alterations and renovations. From this background he has come to value and understand how crucial the quality of relationships established with clients is to the successful outcome of a project. “It’s a case of treating clients as you would wish to be treated. That’s the way I approach every conversation with them, from initial enquiry throughout the whole build. It comes down to doing what you say you are going to do.” All Latitude Homes houses come with a 25-year structural warranty as well as the backing of the 10year Master Builders guarantee. The company also offers a guaranteed 18 week building time to projects that meet the criteria explained on the website.
“We needed to do a lot of pushing and shoving to get exactly what the clients wanted out of the design and the result is fantastic.” Helping out in the busy office is Alix’s wife Amanda, who has come on board in a more handson roll in the last six months. Plans ahead are focussed around consolidating the franchise by continually reviewing its systems and processes and in time growing its capacity, though at this time with the teams on hand the company can comfortably manage around eight
PLUMBSPEC THE PLUMBING SPECIALISTS WHO CARE
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Project management from plans to completion
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388 - 396 Tuam Street, Christchurch PH 03 379 9283 | WEB www.vynco.co.nz
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Specialising in new housing projects
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projects at various stages of completion at any one time. “Our success comes from being really upfront and accessible to our clients before and throughout a build. “Amanda and I make sure we respond to any questions promptly. Good communication is at the heart of every great building experience.”
197m2
$134,495 $137,990!
SPECIAL PRICE SLASHED TO*
4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Ph: 04 471 0186 | PO Box 13728 | Johnsonville | Wellington | 6440 www.plumbspec.co.nz
2 Garages
Latitude Homes is proud to offer the Mantaray - a large single storied home ideal for the growing family. With 4 bedrooms, separate lounge and family areas plus a well appointed designer kitchen and double garage, the house is finished with James Hardie weatherboard and Axon® panels.
ALL THE A M TERIALS D YOU’LL NEE R U O Y D TO BUIL NEW HOME. *All prices include GST plus cartage. Price may vary slightly in some areas
www.latitudehomes.co.nz CALL NOW 04 566 4992 or 021 0555 669 alix@latitudehomes.co.nz