Business North June 2015
BUILDING » Maridale Construction
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Maridale Construction Ltd has won some major accolades for its building projects.
Firm racks up impressive portfolio Sue Russell It has been 14 years since Brian and Deborah Marriner established Wellington-based building firm Maridale Construction but Brian’s building history extends back nearly 30 years. “When we began Maridale Construction we had two tradesmen and an apprentice on the books,” says Brian. “We’ve grown steadily since then, though the industry can have its ups and downs and today we have three qualified staff and two apprentices. It means we have two small gangs and it’s a good fit for what we take on.’ For the greater part of 2014 and this year all staff have been engaged on a significant residential renovation in Lower Hutt. A villa dating back to the 1890’s has been lifted up with a new ground floor complimenting its style tucked under it with the original footprint now the second floor. Plans are to complete the project by September this year. With the focus on this one project Brian says it is still important to be looking out for further work when the job is over and to also maintain a capability of taking on smaller short time-frame work as it arises. He is also keenly aware of the effect additional compliance costs, such as adhering to more and more stringent health and safety benchmarks, have on an ability to remain competitive when pricing.
“We just priced a job and the range of quotes that came in went from $445,000 to $630,000 for the same design. There’s something very wrong with that picture when such a significant price difference occurs.” Maridale Construction Ltd has won some major accolades, not the least being the first company to build a home to Lifemark design standards, something Brian says was a great and valuable experience. “Lifemark is all about building a home that anyone, regardless of age and disability, can successfully live in. “When we built the Blundell House in 2006 it proved just how possible it was to incorporate design elements that could make a home meet the owner’s needs regardless of their age or circumstance.” The home was a stand-out category winner of the Master Builders Home of the Year in the pricerange $600,000 to one million dollars. Built on the hills at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, with outstanding views, the dwelling is proof that a home given the Lifemark stamp of approval meeting stringent standards relating to accessibility, practicality and inclusiveness can at the same time be simply stunning in its aesthetics. All parts of the home are accessible for Phillip Blundell who has been in a wheelchair since a helicopter accident many years ago. Powerpoints have been raised, door handles placed at a metre
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height with plenty of space for ease of wheelchair use. Outside raised planter boxes mean that Phillip is able to be fully engage in gardening. “I just love that house. It was really challenging to build with really really subtle angles to keep to and a lot of steel work as well.” As for the next phase of the company’s evolution Brian says for the next five years or so he plans to continue very much on the tools, though he acknowledges it is a bit of a balancing act to put in the necessary time to work on the business and not just for it.
“We are happy with where we are, focussing mainly on the Hutt Valley and entirely on residential projects. Our small size I believe gives us a really competitive advantage and I’m happy to discuss any residential building project directly with the clients, even if it is just in concept stage.” • Want a no obligation free quote for your next bulding project in the Wellington area? Mention this article and you’ll go into the draw to win $200 Mitre 10 vouchers when you get your quote before the end of June 2015. To arrange, contact Brian on 027 446 5727 or brian@maridaleconstruction.co.nz.
MAATHUIS ELECTRICAL LTD Est.1963
Reg. Electricians/Appliance Servicemen At Your Service... Proudly supporting Maridale Construction
JOHN MAATHUIS Managing Director
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5 Morepork Close, Upper Hutt Ph / Fax (04) 526 3026 Email john@topsparky.co.nz www.topsparky.co.nz