Business South / February 2013
BUILDING » McRaeway Homes / Whyte & Lewis Builders
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Invercargill pair forge strong combination Jo Bailey
McRaeway Homes offers more then 50 designs ranging from a large family “dream home”, to a smaller bach or retirement villa.
the company’s long history include the A-Frame home that launched the business in 1962; the Pioneer that was popular in the 1970s; and more recently the unique Gullwing and McLaren homes. “People can view the wide range of options on our website or pop into the office for a no-obligation chat. We are also happy to meet at the client’s site to discuss their new home project,” he says. The plans can be easily modified to suit the client’s lifestyle and building site, or a completely new design can be created by the McRaeway Homes team. Kneebone has a design background with “vast experience” designing homes so is well equipped to guide clients towards a solution that best fits their needs and budget. He is also a Christchurch local, who in a previous position worked closely with a number of different insurance companies. “This experience is a big advantage in the current market where so many of our clients are negotiating the insurance minefield. McRaeway Homes already has an association with two of the major insurance companies, so we encourage clients needing a replacement home to nominate us to build it for them.”
Kneebone says that the company’s Full Build option offers a “streamlined” building experience, with everything taken care of from beginning to end. “The aim is to make the process as stressfree as possible. “We have a network of quality builders already established in Christchurch and will be adding more as demand increases.” McRaeway Homes’ head office is located in Timaru where the company was established 50 years ago. It also has a second sales office, in Dunedin, with representatives in other parts of the South Island. Kneebone says that the enquiry level of Christchurch has been “considerably higher” in recent months. “We currently have several jobs underway, and are looking forward to a busy year.”
McRaeway Homes 03 323 9324 nick@mcraeway.co.nz www.mcraewayhomes.co.nz
Combining their practical skills and technical know-how has led to a successful business for Invercargill builders Tony Whyte and Chris Lewis. The pair are long-time friends who met as boarders at Southland Boys’ High School. For a period after school they went their separate ways with Whyte starting a building apprenticeship in Arrowtown with Edge Construction, and Lewis studying at Otago University and becoming a draughtsman. During his apprenticeship, Whyte, now a Licensed Building Practitioner was one of a handful of builders to work on the entire Blanket Bay development in Queenstown, which gave him valuable experience in high quality finishing and construction practices. Whyte says it was around 10 years ago, when both had qualified in their respective trades, that he and Lewis decided the time was right to combine their talents and start their own company. “In the beginning I spent a bit more time than Chris on the tools given my practical background. But over the years he has developed the practical expertise to go with his technical knowledge.” Whyte says they have almost always operated as a two-man band, taking on projects in their own right, and working as sub-contractors to larger firms. “We prefer to build new homes, but have the expertise and good range of gear that enables us to turn our hands to most projects. “Diversity is important in a small market like Southland, particularly with things slowing up in the last couple of years.” Whyte and Lewis Builders had completed “a lot of work” for the previous owners of the local G J Gardner Homes franchise, after being contracted about five years ago to build 15 homes over a three year period for G J Gardner. “This was a major contract for us and towards the end we were effectively running the jobs.” The pair has also completed a lot of work in Milford and some in Stewart Island for another large local construction company over the years. Last year they did a “big job” for Phoenix Property Services, a company that provides maintenance to Invercargill property owners.
“We replaced the front of an old two storey shop that had literally fallen off. We are happy to work on these sort of light commercial projects.” On the residential side, Whyte and Lewis are particularly proud of a substantial new home at Te Anau they built for Whyte’s parents. Their current major project is a spec house they are developing themselves on a back section in Short Street, Invercargill. The 166sqm, three-bedroom, two bathroom home with a walk-in robe, also has a two car garage, small office, separate dining and “quality kitchen” being manufactured by Whyte’s cousin, Nigel Molloy who has a joinery business in Winton. “We hope to finish the home in March or April then we’ll see what happens from there. “There’s still not a lot of new housing going on down here, but we have a few jobs to finish and lots of other options.” Whyte and Lewis Builders also carries out renovation work, and build fences and decks.
Diversity is important in a small market like Southland.....”
0800 4 NIGEL (6
Whyte & Lewis Builders 021 635 308 chrislewis@slingshot.co.nz
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O’REILLY MINI EXCAVATING LIMITED • Driveways and drainage
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Whyte & Lewis Builders PH 215 9208 | CELL 027 435 0778 | Fax 213 1574 A/Hrs 213 1575 or 218 6771 | 27-29 North Rd, Invercargill
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