20 |
BUILDERS » CD van der Meer Builders
Business Central
Carl van der Meer, of C D van der Meer Builders, still works on the tools as he takes a close personal interest in liaising with clients and designers while project-managing each job.
Local in thick of building boom Russell Fredric Residential building is booming on the Kapiti Coast. And long-standing building company C D van der Meer Builders is one of the locals in the thick of the boom. Third-generation owner Carl van der Meer says the Kapiti Coast property market has been accelerating over the past year following a period of seven or eight years when it had been relatively dormant. Catalysts include the Wellington Northern Corridor expressway projects, which will significantly reduce the commuting time from Wellington, plus interest from investors and others wanting holiday homes built. “Suddenly Auckland investors are flying down here,” he says. “There’s a lot of properties being sold unseen. I’ve been in business 32 years and I’ve never seen such a boom. “Commercial property is also going ahead now. That always means there’s money to invest and spend.” Consequently, section prices have doubled during the past five years, now typically from $250,000 to $370,000. C D van der Meer Builders usually has three or four house projects on the go, This requires a staff of nine, including Carl’s wife, Sally, who handles administration. Two of
their sons, Brook and Taylor, also work in the business. Carl still works on the tools as he takes a close personal interest in liaising with clients and designers while project-managing each job. He likes to match a client’s personality and the requirements of individual projects to an architect or designer able to understand and meet their needs and budget. Combined with Carl’s guidance, this approach helps a build remain viable and on budget – from the time consents are lodged through to completion. He estimates his company has built 400 houses in Horowhenua, Kapiti and Wellington since he took over from his father. They have created a loyal client base in the process. Despite the volume, Carl emphasises that quantity is never at the expense of quality. House-builds cover a diverse range, from modest to multi-million-dollar, architecturally designed projects. An architecturally designed project finished last year was a two-level, 300-square-metre house in Lower Hutt for an orthopaedic surgeon. Its design is based on a traditional fourbedroom weatherboard house with a combination of gable-end and hip roofs. Space and light are important features. “There’s plenty of daylight, lovely-sized bathrooms, just like the Hilton Hotel.” says Carl.
As with most modern builds, the kitchen, which includes a walk-in pantry, is the hub; anyone working in it is not isolated from family or guests. A sprawling, Wanaka-style, cedar weatherboard house is under construction in Otaki beside a private water-skiing lake (Lake Inspiration), which was created for barefoot skiers. The house has a boat garage. Built as a family-friendly 300sq m house, it also has parents’ and children’s wings. A large fireplace to gather around on cold nights is a feature of the living area. As well as building new houses, C D van
FOUNDATION SPECIALISTS • Pile-driving/sheet-piling/screw-piling • Excavation and site works • Sub-division/civil works • Retaining Walls • Cartage
( 04) 29 8 1 1 33 | P.O. BOX 238 PARAPARAUMU | piling@ x tra.co.nz
BRICKLAYING AND BLOCKLAYING Horowhenua to Wellington
Giving you the very best for your bathroom 04 298 9937 or 027 449 1546 6 Ruapehu Street, Paraparaumu 5254 stuart.mccarrison@dolphinshowers.co.nz www.dolphinshowers.co.nz
der Meer Builders has considerable specialist experience in remediating leaky houses. The scale of the problem remains huge, with many houses still needing major repairs – an extremely distressing situation for owners, says Carl. The good news, he says, is that he can discuss possibilities and generate a plan to repair a house to a high standard with the option of a payment plan. “Home-owners needn’t continue living in a damp house because they feel they cannot afford to have reconstruction or recladding work carried out.”
Dan Smithson M 027 489 5721 E synergycontract@gmail.com