Competitive Homes Summer 2013

Competitive Homes SUMMER 2013

Inside:

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Doing it with Enstyle

Customers First

Urban Bliss

Richmond-based Enstyle Builders has built up a reputation for quality homes in the Tasman district.

Rusling Builders is committed to providing total customer satisfaction with its Competitive Homes.

Wellington building company Urban Homes takes pride in delivering positive outcomes for its clients.

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Competitive Homes

Juken leads the way with LVL technology ‘Wood with an education’ is the way Paul Jordan likes to describe the sophistication of the laminated veneer lumber (LVL) technology used in the J-Frame and other products manufactured at Juken (NZ) Ltd’s Wairarapa Mill he manages.

exploiting to gain market share. LVL has all the positive properties of being a wood product but it also has the strength and stability to compete with steel. He says the advantages that go with LVL framing are not yet necessarily understood by consumers.

J-Frame can withstand 3 to 4 times the forces of conventional timber before rupturing, something Jordan says makes it an ideal building material for earthquake prone regions.

“While steel framing is strong and dimensionally accurate what they don’t tell you is that when a steel frame does bend it stays bent. Any penetrations in steel require additional work to prevent chaffing or cutting electrical cables and pipes. LVL is still wood so is more forgiving and easier for builders to work with.”

The frames will withstand significant bending and shaking, so they will stay intact even in a severe earthquake.

Juken (NZ) Ltd (JNL), is owned by Japanese parent company Woodone Ltd. In New Zealand JNL has forestry holdings in the Gisborne and Wairarapa. JNL also operates 4 mills two in Kaitaia and 1 each in Gisborne and Wairarapa.

The Wairarapa Mill has been producing J-Frame for about three years now. This followed an intensive two year research, development and testing phase.

“We built a house frame on site using J-Frame and left it exposed to the elements for two years. The frames stayed straight and true and the only thing that changed was that the pink dye applied during treatment faded.”

Jordan acknowledges the product holds a small percentage of the market compared to solid wood but it was never intended to replace it. The competition was from steel, wood has some natural flaws that steel was

The processing of timber and the production of J-Frame and other products from the mills creates a negative carbon footprint in the final product, something Jordan says occurs because the CO2 sequestered by the tree during its growth is imbedded in the final product. JNL also replant trees at a higher rate than harvested to maintain a sustainable resource for the future The company’s traditional export market has been Japan but that is changing given a marked slowing-down in the rate of residential building happening in that country.

In the last 15 years home-building has shrunk from an annual 1,600,000 to 800,000 and this has caused Juken (NZ) Ltd to set its strategic direction toward delivering products for the New Zealand, Australian and other Asian markets.

Juken (NZ) Ltd is just about to launch a new product, using the same technology as the J-Frame – the J-Lintel.

J-Frame can withstand 3 to 4 times the forces of conventional timber before rupturing.

“It just made sense for us to manufacture lintels to compliment the J-Frame that our customers are using.

“They look a million bucks and are cost competitive Jordan credits his team with the success of J-Frame and expects the J-Lintels will do just as well.

“We work very much as a team and

collectively pursue a product from its inception, through design, rigorous testing and on to manufacture. While our heads are in the here and now, they’re also focussed on the future.”

Juken (NZ) Ltd’s Wairarapa Mill is a big part of the community, employing 310 staff and significantly contributing to the economic health of the region.

ENGINEERED WOOD PRODUCTS BETTER BY DESIGN

Email: sales@jnl.co.nz

www.jnl.co.nz

Email: sales@jnl.co.nz www.jnl.co.nz

SUMMER2013 l Corporate 5 | Enstyle Builders Richmond 03 542 2220 6 | Rusling Builders Whakatane 07 312 5586 7 | Urban Homes Wellington 04 568 8893 10 | Competitive Homes Kapiti Waikanae/Kapiti 0274 436 149 12 | Farrell Builders Dunedin 03 455 6106 12 | Kynoch Construction Palmerston North 06 350 6802 14 | Competitive Homes Wairarapa Masterton 06 377 4433 14 | Competitive Homes Auckland Auckland 09 281 5751 15 | Competitive Homes Taranaki Inglewood 06 756 7615 16 | Mark Velenski Building Oamaru 027 249 0099

Competitive Homes

3

Competitive Homes - creating a model for business success Karen Phelps There is nothing else like the Competitive Homes business model in the New Zealand market. It offers all the benefits of a national group building company but it’s not a franchised system.

Competitive Homes is an evolving cooperative of home designers, independent family owned builders and quality suppliers.

The model offers consumers all of the advantages of a group builder in terms of national backing and economic pricing.

Because there are no high overhead costs and franchise fees these further cost savings can be passed directly onto the client.

This means that with Competitive Homes the money that clients spend on their build goes straight into their new home.

Competitive Homes offers a series of seven home design ranges that all meet or exceed the building code.

The house plans can all be modified as required to suit individual budgets and lifestyles and there is no cost to the client for this service.

Competitive Homes Architectural series is a range of stylish mono pitch homes. First is an affordable entry level series aimed particularly at first home buyers.

The Living series has been designed with modern subdivisions and lifestyle blocks in mind while the Townhouse series centres on homes with smaller footprints but larger floorplans to maximise smaller sites.

The Villa and Traditional series are a range of villa and colonial style homes while the Transportable series had been designed to be built then transported to the site for a speedy hassle-free build.

Supporting local communities is a key priority which is why Competitive Homes

Competitive Homes offers a series of seven home design ranges, which can all be modified as required to suit individual budgets and lifestyles.

Builders

selects only local builders with excellent reputations and a commitment to quality.

All Competitive Homes builders offer guarantees.

This means that Competitive Homes’ clients get the advantages of dealing with local people backed by the resources and buying power of a large national group.

In bringing the unique Competitive Homes plans to market the company partnered with quality material suppliers.

All Competitive Homes builds come with certain products as standard including J-Frame, a pinus radiata laminated framing timber.

The renewable product is Forestry Stewardship Council approved and gives all of the advantages of steel framing but retains all of the convenience of timber.

Straight, strong and durable the product is resistant to warp, twist and bow. J-Frame has been independently BRANZ appraised and is made from 100% sustainable New Zealand radiata pine.

For homeowners one important feature is that the product allows for stud heights 150mm higher than normal, which gives an incredibly spacious feel to a home.

Another product that comes as standard in Competitive Homes builds is Earthwool, a glasswool insulation made from recycled glass.

The product uses ECOSE Technology, which is based on rapidly renewable materials instead of petro-based chemicals.

Earthwool contains no added formaldehyde, phenols and acrylics.

All Competitive Homes builds also come with high quality Kaboodle Kitchens, a brand which offers one of the biggest ranges of cabinets and colours. Kaboodle Kitchens come with a 10-year structural warranty on cabinets and benchtops.

Competitive Homes works with clients to help with the complete building package from design, right down to the last little finishing touch with a comprehensive range of options so that people can customise their home to their personal preferences making each home a little unique.

Throughout the process customers are given choices such as moving a wall or extending a bedroom plus choices of materials like roof and wall cladding, colour and texture, appliances, furnishings and lighting right down to little things like taps and door handles.

To make things easy for customers, Competitive Homes’ packages are fixed price so there are never any surprises.

To find a Competitive Homes builder in your local area go to: www.competitivehomes.co.nz

Competitive Homes works with clients to help with the complete building package from design, right down to the last little finishing touch.

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Corporate l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Premium features, affordable solutions Fairview and Elite fabricators proudly support Competitive Homes

Energy efficiency and style Window and door joinery may be the architectural jewel of a home but undertaken

The company concentrates on designing,

consumers. The complete product range includes Systems not only look good but can also help

for larger houses and designer joinery together

“At Aluminium Systems we design safe, secure

Aluminium Systems designs and powder coats aluminium extrusions then distributes the metal lengths to a network of fabricators throughout New Zealand for manufacture under the joinery brands Elite Windows & Doors, and Fairview

Flush, discreet tracks

of Fairview and Elite fabricators provide New Zealand’s highest standard of service and quality. and this can be seen in the latest range. The new products have been designed so they can be easily mixed and matched throughout a house.

for clients.

“For example, colder rooms may require thermally broken products while warmer rooms may be point.

Timberclad, a designer series thermally broken the industry.

Fabricator: Fairview Window Solutions

Comfortable living spaces

manufacturer, visit www.fairviewwindows.co.nz or www.elitewindows.co.nz.

inside of the building and aluminium joinery on the outside. The clever design markedly reduces

to keep the look consistent throughout the home.”

Aluminium Systems NZ Ltd is a systems supplier for the New Zealand window and door market,

company is a new extended powder coat warranty of 15 years, making it the longest powder coat warranty on the market.

40 years.

Leading with technology Having ‘dabbled’ in the timber framing industry for many years, Dave Buckthought grabbed the opportunity when it came along to establish his Masterton-based company Capital PreCut in 2005.

In recent years, sophisticated computer software like that engineered by US-based Mitek Industries and used at Capital Precut has revolutionised the way frames and trusses are designed manufactured.

Dave’s decision to invest in this technology means that his design team have at armslength access to highly sophisticated and flexible programming that can be applied to an enormous range of buildings.

“It was a steep learning curve with a few bumps along the way but it has made a big difference to our design and construction capabilities.”

The software has received Australian DesignMark awards and is well above the industry standard. Products made through application of the programming to two key things: they maximise structural strength while working as cost effectively as possible, without compromise.

Capital Precut’s draftsmen also do the design and concept development work for Competitive Homes as well as producing the trusses used in Competitive Homes builds.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship in that we have the infrastructures in place to produce the concepts and plans for Competitive Homes and we also supply the trusses and frames used in their designs.”

The aspiration to make today better than yesterday is something Dave and his team strive to achieve every day.

“I have an excellent team around me.

Everyone is encouraged to bring forward any suggestions they may have,” Dave says.

His sons, 23 year old Jock and 28 year old Mike work in the company.

Jock handles the accounts and administration while Mike deals with estimates and drafting.

The company is currently working on the concept designs for a new subdivision in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington. Two satellite offices also operate at Ngongataha and in Waipawa.

The company also provides an extensive range and size of beams, including LVL, Glulam, Steel, PosiStrust and Flitch Beam construction.

Capital Precut Solutions Ltd has an impressive CV of building projects behind it, from brand new homes to commercial buildings, extensions, garages and pole sheds, schools, even police stations and more and Dave is confident that with the team he has and the infrastructure he has invested in no job is too big or small.

“We’re about giving the same attention to detail to every job.

“That’s what we have built our reputation on and our intentions are not to rest on our laurels but to continue to be innovative in all ways.”

CAPITAL PRECUT SOLUTIONS LTD Proudly Supporting Competitive Homes Our design department can help you decide which products are best suited to the needs of your project. Please call us to inquire about our roof, floor and framing systems.

As an additional service to our customers, we can provide almost any size of LVL, Glulam. Steel, PosiStrut and Flitch Beam. Contact our experienced designers for assistance in selecting and sizing beams for your project.

Also offered by Capital Precut is the choice of J-Frame.

320 High Street, South Masterton PO Box 112, Carterton

EMAIL info@truss.co.nz

PHONE

(06) 370 1390

FAX

(06) 370 1395

SUMMER2013 l Enstyle Builders

Competitive Homes

5

Enstyle Builders builds a great reputation Sue Russell A positive relationship with their local building merchant Bunnings, led Richmond-based Enstyle Builders to being offered the competitive homes franchise for the Tasman district.

“We find the Competitive Homes package really good,” says Jane Helem, who with builder husband Brad, owns and operates Enstyle Builders.

“There are no nasty surprises for the clients,” she says.

Enstyle Builders focus on the midrange housing market, offering land-andbuild packages mostly in the $500,000 to $600,000 bracket.

The company is looking forward to a “really full-on” 2014.

When the Irvine’s approached Enstyle Builders to construct their home, they had already visited a couple of other building companies.

Brad and Jane know that one of the key reasons the Irvine’s chose them for the project was because Enstyle Builders work flexibly with the clients wishes.

“They know what they are getting and there are no surprises.

“We operate more like a husband-andwife team.

“Our relatively small size means that the clients are communicating directly with the builder who is also the owner of the company, leaving no room for misunderstanding or delays.

“We led them through the planning process step by step and with the backing and expertise Competitive Homes offers the whole build went very well.”

Enstyle Builders focus on the mid-range housing market, offering land and build packages.

The 242 square metre home, built for a family of five, is on a large section in Wakefield and has four bedrooms as well as an office.

The home boasts several outstanding features and has been stylishly finished throughout.

“It is a lovely mid-range house,” says Jane.

• To page 6

“Our relatively small size means that the clients are communicating directly with the builder who is also the owner of the company, leaving no room for misunderstanding or delays.”

Nelson

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Enstyle Builders / Rusling Builders l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Enstyle Builders develops reputation for quality work • From page 5 “The plaster and colour steel roof work perfectly together and the whole project took us three months to complete,” says Jane, who as an experienced kitchen and colour consultant, helped with the decision-making.

Looking back on the three years the company has been with Competitive Homes, Jane says they are proud of their track-record.

“We have never had an unsatisfied client.

“We don’t like giving the clients nasty surprises so right from the start we are very clear about pricing.

“They know exactly what they are going to get, what the time-lines are and what their home will cost.”

As for plans to grow the company, Jane and Brad say that they are happy with the size it is now.

The solid reputation they have built by delivering a great product matters to the couple more than any aspirations to take on additional staff and complete more builds.

“Getting larger you tend to have more stress and we don’t want to ever compromise ourselves or our clients by taking on more work than we can manage,” says Brad.

While Enstyle Builders undertake renovations, alterations and light commercial work, Brad says they most enjoy building new homes.

“There is something especially satisfying in starting from scratch with a bare piece of land and seeing all the steps through to the day when the keys are handed over to the owners.

“It is always an exciting moment and one we very much look forward to because we have invested so much of ourselves in the project,” he says.

Enstyle Builders has built up a reputation for building quality homes.

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‘Practical and affordable’ Karen Phelps It was the practical and affordable approach that drew Mike Rusling from Rusling Builders to join the Competitive Homes brand.

Mike, who has been operating his own successful building company for eight years and building for over 30 years, saw that by joining Competitive Homes he could bring cost efficiencies to his customers.

“Every New Zealand builder that joins the Competitive Homes brand is committed to total customer satisfaction providing kiwis with high quality homes for a fixed price.

“The bonus of Competitive Homes is that my customers get all the benefits of a large building group, including the buying power and backing from Bunnings, but without the associated costs like franchise fees, fancy showhomes and sales people.

“This means every dollar they spend on their new home goes into their new home.”

Mike, who operates his business Rusling Builders marketed alongside the Competitive Homes brand, says that his clients can choose from one of the many Competitive Homes plans, bring their own plans or have a custom plan drawn up for them.

“Competitive Homes offers a range of new home designs that suit a variety of climates, landscapes and lifestyles. Modifications can be made to plans to suit individual tastes.

Rusling Builders undertakes new home builds, renovations, alterations and light

commercial projects right down to the smallest job – for example putting in a shower or changing a doorlock.

Mike says it all boils down to customer service.

“It’s about really listening to what people want and then delivering,” he says.

Mike employs two crews of contractors who he has hand selected and worked alongside for many years.

All contractors used are fully qualified licensed building practitioners.

Rusling Builders covers the WhakataneOpotiki region and those familiar with the area will recognise the Veterinary Health Centre in Landing Road that Mike and his team built a few years ago.

The building incorporates four different claddings and was built on soft foundations which necessitated some liasing with council to ensure the process was completed to specification.

Recently the company has begun targeting the rural market, recognising the need for rural homes to be upgraded. “Often it’s cheaper for people to build a brand new home rather than upgrade an existing one,” says Mike.

The company has recently completed a tricky $300,000 renovation of a two-storey home in Ohope. The top storey of the home was removed, the bottom storey revamped then the top storey replaced again and a lounge/family room added onto the side. It is just the sort of project the company relishes to showcase its skills.

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SUMMER2013 l Urban Homes

Competitive Homes

7

Holistic approach guarantees satisfaction Sue Russell Wellington building company Urban Homes takes pride in delivering consistently positive outcomes for its clients.

Director Brent Tapp says the company’s success is due to its holistic approach with clients right from the start.

“From the moment potential clients contact us we bend over backwards to really listen and understand what they are looking for.

“Our sales manager, Stephen Chalmers, is totally focussed on listening to and

communicating effectively. He is not paid a commission so there is no question of putting pressure on clients,” says Tapp.

The company is a Competitive Homes partner for the region, a relationship it has enjoyed since early 2012.

“Competitive Homes approached me and I could see the merits in its potential and didn’t hesitate to get on board.

“With the excellent relationship I have established with Bunnings, over time we just got more and more into the whole concept.

“It isn’t a franchise but a partnership and my company is Competitive Homes’ preferred builder for this area.”

Every part of every house the company builds is rigorously priced, giving clients the surety of the cost from day one.

“Our sub-contractors are happy to quote for everything.

“They are all trade qualified licensed building practitioners who know their stuff.

“Ninety percent of the subbies I use today have been with us since Urban Homes started 3 years ago” says Brent.

Once the initial enquiry stage is completed and the contract signed a very small deposit is paid, something that Brent says often works well for first-home owners.

“I take over the project and see it through to completion once the contract has been signed.

“We offer two payment options; a staged payment plan, paying a set amount at the completion of each stage of the build, or a payment schedule prepared by a registered valuer.”

Brent says he has found that for those with low deposits the banks often prefer the latter option.

Urban Homes prefers to work backwards from a client’s budget to ensure the house is correctly tailored to each individual’s needs.

• To page 8

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8

Urban Homes l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Holistic approach brings satisfaction • From page 7 “At times it can be hard getting a budget out of a client. It takes trust and we believe our honest approach helps to achieve that.”

Urban Homes has six houses on the go and has just completed its third Competitive Homes design-and-build home for young couple, Jared Morris-Jenkins and Sarah Wong, in Newlands.

This was a weatherboard three bedroom plus study house with two bathrooms and a Coloursteel pitched roof in a new sub-division.

“We chose Urban Homes because we could see this was a relationship that was going to work,” says Jared.

“They were in it for us more than for them and I never felt once like I was being told what I wanted,” he says.

The couple had specific criteria, including larger than average bedrooms

and before settling on Urban Homes had taken these to other builders to discuss.

“We were significantly more impressed with the way Urban Homes treated us,” says Jared.

“It was more like having a conversation with a person rather than being slotted into a system is the best way I can describe it.”he says.

Proof of how much contact Urban Homes maintained with the couple can be seen from the 600 emails the couple received throughout the build.

“It’s a lovely sunny home and we’re so happy to be in it after years flatting,” says Jared.

As for Brent the only thing he asks of his clients is that if they are happy with the job they tell their friends.

“If you are not happy tell me so we can get things right.

“We welcome all feedback, be it positive or not.”

“We chose Urban Homes because we could see this was a relationship that was going to work .... They were in it for us more than for them and I never felt once like I was being told what I wanted.”

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SUMMER2013 l Urban Homes

Competitive Homes

Just the ticket: this new Competitive Homes weatherboard three-bedroom plus study house has two bathrooms and a Coloursteel pitched roof.

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10

Competitive Homes Kapiti - Hinds Builders l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Demand rises for Kapiti Coast properties Karen Phelps There has been increased demand for new homes on the Kapiti Coast since the completion of the new motorway connecting Wellington with the Coast.

“Commuter times have reduced from one hour to just 30 minutes.

“The Kapiti Coast is cheaper than Wellington and offers a sunny coastal lifestyle,” says Simon Hinds from Competitive Homes Kapiti.

Hinds, who has more than 25 years building experience, grew up on the Kapiti Coast where he completed his building apprenticeship. He worked alongside his father running a building company before taking over the reins in 1996 joining Competitive Homes about three years ago.

His familiarity with the region is a benefit for his clients as he knows the land and conditions well.

Hinds says Competitive Homes offers a very economic system and the significant savings can be passed on to customers.

In fact, Hinds estimates that building a home through the Competitive Homes brand is about 10% cheaper than what he was previously able to offer as a stand-alone builder.

“Bunnings price everything up so this means we can offer a secure fixed price to clients.

“My customers benefit from the buying power of a large group builder,” he says.

Kitset packages are offered to other builders where all materials are sent including concrete slab, kitchens, bathrooms etc.

“Plans can be adjusted as necessary to fit what the client requires. They can also bring their own plans to us if they prefer.

“Recently a couple of young builders wanted to build their own home, ordered a kitset and were blown away by the price,” says Hinds.

Because Competitive Homes now operates New Zealand-wide he says another benefit for him has been the networking and information sharing opportunities with other builders.

Competitive Homes builders in the

local area meet up about every month and others who are located further afield are just a phone call away if he ever needs a bit of advice. He also loves the Competitive Homes plans which he is now able to offer his clients.

“Plans can be adjusted as necessary to fit what the client requires. They can also bring their own plans to us if they prefer,” he says Competitive Homes Kapiti offers house

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SUMMER2013 l Competitive Homes Kapiti - Hinds Builders

Competitive Homes

11

Competitive Homes offers a very economic system and significant savings can be passed on to customers.

and land packages and presently has 80 sections that will be offered in Tristram Court in the centre of Paraparaumu. Sites range in size from 480sqm-690sqm.

Houses will be individually designed to suit the site and some concept plans are also available.

Competitive Homes Kapiti is a real family affair with Hinds’ wife Debbie as company sales person.

The company has a showhome made to a standard Competitive Homes design demonstrating the capabilities of the brand.

The three-bedroom plus study home is 174sqm.

It uses Linea and Axom cladding, Coloursteel roofing and Winstone gib-board.

“We have already built several homes using this same design,” says Hinds. “It has proved to be really popular,” he says.

He believes he has found a niche in the market for competitively priced homes on the Kapiti Coast and he says that at present the company is “flat out”.

He presently has four builds on the go with another eight on the books due to start next year. The company will build a new showhome next year in Tristram Court which Hinds says will hopefully be open to the public by March.

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12

Farrell Builders / Kynoch Construction

Competitive Homes

l SUMMER2013

Special features add extra to showhome Sue Russell

Design flexibility a winner

By Kelly Deeks Dunedin’s Farrell Builders rose to a difficult challenge this year, providing a client with two three-bedroom townhouses, each with three en suites, on a site that was more suitable for a couple of standard two-bedroom houses.

The solution was possible thanks to a new association with Bunnings-led housing company Competitive Homes.

Farrell Builders director Mike Farrell was first approached by his local Bunnings store about 12 months ago, and asked to become a preferred contractor for Competitive Homes.

He took up the offer and hit the ground running with these two townhouses his first Competitive Homes project, and another one already in the pipelines.

Farrell says his client is a landlord, whose target market for tenants is people with disabilities.

His 550sqm site was a former hotel car park in Annex Street, Dunedin.

Having completed all his calculations, he told Farrell he needed to get two three-bedroom houses on the site, and all three bedrooms had to have their own bathrooms attached, to suit the needs of his potential tenants.

Farrell thought with his new portfolio of house plans from Competitive Homes, he might be able to come up with a design to fit.

“All the Competitive Homes plans come with a reasonable sized laundry, so that was a good place to start,” he says.

“I played around with the plans, and along with my client we found certain things that would work for him.

“The result was a smaller living space, but his tenants won’t spend too much time in the communal area. With their own en suite and a TV in every room, they only have to come out to go to the fridge.”

Farrell says the design was the biggest challenge of this project, and the fact he could make it work to his client’s satisfaction is testament to the flexibility of Competitive Homes’ design process.

“Other housing companies will charge a design fee for making changes to plans, and then other additional costs get built in,” he says.

“With Competitive Homes, as long as you can work within the exterior profile, you can do what you like with the interior.”

One of Competitive Homes’ points of difference is the material used to construct these houses. It uses a laminated ply product called J Frame, which Farrell says isn’t used by any other housing company in New Zealand.

He says J Frame is considerably stronger than a standard 4 by 2.

“The frames supplied by Competitive Homes are solid and straight,” he says. “You shoot them into the ground with a ram set gun, then brace them into position. These things stand up straight.”

Farrell’s next Competitive Homes project, once the plans come through, is a farm manager’s residence on a corporate farm in Middlemarch.

Farrell Builders continues to work on other projects as well as Competitive Homes, with an upcoming alteration for an existing client requiring the roof to be lifted from his house to enable another storey to be added.

Farrell Builders’ team is made up of Farrell, his son Nathan, who is a licensed building practitioner, and two others.

The latest Competitive Homes showhome built by Palmerston North builders Kynoch Construction has a number of stand-out features.

The company’s residential property manager, Michelle Mainwaring says the fourbedroom home built on an elevated section at 103 Cashmere Drive was a pleasure of a project from start to finish.

“The home is based on a Competitive Homes standard design but has some rather lovely features that make it quite special, including a step down into the open plan lounge area and an impressively large deck,” Michelle explains.

With an interior design string to her bow, along with real-estate credentialling Mainwaring is in a good position to judge the quality and character of the new show home.

She deliberately chose a grey palate for the home inside and out.

“The silver-pearl window trims work in beautifully with the external paint and the roof.

“All in all the house presents as very appealing to the eye and with the split level design, given the sloping section it is built on, I think we have a real winner here,” she adds.

The 225sqm home has two bathrooms and a huge amount of storage space for its size, making it an ideal family home.

Double cupboards feature along with storage where the hot-winter cylinder resides and a walk-in wardrobe off the master bedroom that Mainwaring says could easily be used as an office ‘nook’.

Kynoch Construction has been marketing and building Competitive Homes designs for 18 months.

It chose Competitive Homes because it wanted to move more toward the residential

The 225sqm home has two bathrooms and a huge amount of storage space for its size. making it an ideal family home.

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SUMMER2013 l Kynoch Construction

Competitive Homes

13

Plamerston North’s Kynoch Construction has been marketing and building Competitive Homes in the region for 18 months.

build sector from its historically core activity of constructing commercial buildings.

“We plan to do more design and build projects on the elevated sites because Competitive Homes are experts at designing homes for these situations,” Mainwaring says.

The show-home is close to Summer Hills Shopping Centre, offers good public transport access to Massey University and shopping. Construction began on 22 July and is due to be completed by 3rd of December.

“For a family, the fact that Palmerston North Girls and Boys High Schools are in the area is a real bonus as they are the top schools in the district.”

Kynoch Construction prides itself on its fixed price guarantee. The company stands by its promise to complete a build on time and to price.

“I think the fact that we have our own dedicated team of experienced builders gives us a real edge because

the guys swinging the hammer all belong to the company building it. That has to add integrity into the outcome,” says Mainwaring.

It also means the company can work flexibly with the building crews when extra help is needed on a specific project.

There is plenty of work on for the company, with a number of houses set for construction next year and all homes come with a 10 year Master Builders guarantee.

“No matter what the job, from large commercial construction, through to the Competitive Homes we enjoy building and the residential alterations we undertake, the same standard of craftsmanship and attention to detail is reflected in every job we do.”

With the reputation the company has gained through the years Mainwaring says she has a very full-on and challenging job, but one she really enjoys doing.

“This is a great company to work for. We are all one big team.”

“I think the fact that we have our own dedicated team of experienced builders gives us a real edge because the guys swinging the hammer all belong to the company building it.”

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14

Competitive Homes Wairarapa / Competitive Homes Auckland l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Passing on the cost savings to the client Karen Phelps Builder Warwick Dean joined Competitive Homes because he wanted to offer all of the advantages of a group builder but without the overhead costs and franchise fees.

“Our customers get the advantages of dealing with local people, backed by the resources and buying power of a large, national group,” explains Dean, owner of Competitive Homes Wairarapa - Classic Homes.

A qualified builder with around 40 years industry experience, Dean has been operating his company for many years.

He joined Competitive Homes about two years ago to give his business an edge in a competitive market and since then has not looked back.

Dean offers his customers access to the Competitive Homes range of plans that are all quantity surveyed, priced and reviewed to ensure they meet or exceed the building code.

A design-and-build option is also possible and customers can come with their own plans if they choose.

One unique offering made by Competitive Homes is that no charge is made to clients for drawing or altering plans.

This gives clients the freedom to work with Competitive Homes until they have got their project right without running the risk of cost overruns.

“It’s just one example of the focus that Competitive Homes puts on the customer,” says Dean.

He says quality is also an important part of the Competitive Homes brand. Only products from trusted suppliers are used including Bunnings and Capital Precut frames.

This not only brings price benefits that can

be passed onto customers but also peace of mind.

“By using Bunnings as our supplier we can take advantage of the buying power of this large company meaning all materials arrive to site at a very competitive price,” he says.

All framing in a Competitive Homes build is made from J-Frame, a pinus radiata laminated framing timber that gives all of the advantages of steel framing (in that everything remains straight and true) but retains all of the convenience of timber.

The product uses conventional carpentry techniques and fastenings and is a renewable resource.

Competitive Homes Wairarapa is supported by two other companies that Dean owns: Designer Court, which supplies window treatments, paint, curtains, lighting, tiles, bathroomware etc ,and Central Building Suppliers, a land development company with a subdivision in Daniel Street Estate, Masterton.

These subsidiary businesses mean that Dean is able to offer his clients a complete turn-key service including house and land packages if desired.

There are currently 10 house-and-land packages available in the estate on sections ranging from 450-550 square metres.

Dean doesn’t just undertake new home builds through Competitive Homes Wairarapa but also renovations, additions, kitchens and bathrooms and light commercial projects such as shop fit-outs.

For example he has just completed the fitout of the kitchen of Master Fried Chicken’s new outlet in Masterton. He also contracts to EQC and is presently contracting in Blenheim.

Dean says he is looking at growing Competitive Homes Wairarapa, continuing to offer his customers what he believes is the best value in the region.

“Our customers get the advantages of dealing with local people, backed by the resources and buying power of a large, national group.

Busy year brings rewards Karen Phelps It’s been a busy year for Competitive Homes Auckland Rodney-North Shore. The company has house and land packages in Long Bay and is finalising the design for the construction of a new showhome.

The company, which trades as Complete Construction Ltd under the Competitive Homes Auckland Rodney-North Shore brand, was established in 2003 by builders Val Ager and Matt Hughes.

Ager is the man on site taking charge of the physical build while Hughes takes care of the factory, business and marketing aspects of what has become one of Auckland’s leading interior fit-out and construction companies.

Although the company is relatively youthful company office manager Toni Philpott says the versatile team has vast experience in the residential and commercial construction industry.

“We have completed a huge range of high quality bar/restaurant, retail and other office interior fit-outs to award-winning standards.

Our diverse portfolio also includes high-end residential construction and health care facilities,” she says.

Taking on the Competitive Homes brand was just another opportunity for the already diverse company. It has already completed a house and land package for a client in Millwater Estate, Silverdale, building a 178 square metre, three bedroom home.

A major point of difference is the fact the company operates its own joinery factory giving it the ability to produce bespoke and general joinery for projects. A distinctive

project recently completed was the fit out in the GHD Building in Freemans Bay, Auckland for Lion New Zealand. The project involved making trees and tree huts in the joinery factory, which includes CNC machinery and a dedicated spray booth.

“Being able to make our own joinery inhouse gives us greater control over projects and can really save our clients time and money,” says Philpott.

Although the company is renowned for its interior fit-outs the Competitive Homes brand offers customers more choice. Competitive Homes Auckland Rodney-North Shore offers builds from start to finish including joinery, bespoke furniture, driveways, landscaping and fencing if required. Competitive Homes Auckland Rodney-North Shore can even help source good land for clients through its contacts in local real estate agents.

“Land can certainly be a rare commodity in the region nowadays,” says Philpott.

The company employs a team of eight staff in the Silverdale office plus contractors as required. Philpott says the company has a trusted group of suppliers and contractors that it has worked with for many years.

While the Competitive Homes brand offers clients a cost effective option at the other end of the spectrum the company has recently completed a $2m home in Gulf Harbour demonstrating its vast capabilities. The seven bedroom home comes complete with pool, gymnasium and bar.

The company has won a number of awards at the New Zealand Retail Interior Association RED Awards in 2010 and 2012 including a joinery award, colour award and award in the bars, nightclubs and restaurants category.

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SUMMER2013 l Competitive Homes Taranaki

Competitive Homes

15

Giving clients the Competitive advantage Sue Russell Taranaki property development company Integrity Developments Ltd is growing in leaps and bounds since becoming a Competitive Homes partner in the region nearly two years ago.

Company director Derek McInnes says he made the decision to become part of the Competitive Homes national partnership network with building merchant Bunnings Ltd because “it was obvious it was a great concept”.

“We checked it out, did some research and because we already enjoyed an excellent relationship with Bunnings it just made sense.

“Danny from our local Bunnings branch is a great guy to work with,” he says.

The Competitive Homes partnership allows each company in its network to act completely independently. This means that, there are no fees and no royalty payments to pay to be a partner company.

Another clear benefit McInnes experiences is that Bunnings, given the sort of economies of scale it operates with, provides top-quality products at “Every Day Low Prices”.

“All these benefits flow to our customers, while we enjoy the autonomy of an independent company, able to make our own decisions and to develop the way we want to,” says McInnes.

He shifted the company from its original base in Inglewood to the site of Taranaki Building Removals, 1104-1118 Devon Road, Bell Block.

“Now Competitive Homes Taranaki has partnered up with Taranaki Building Removals we truly offer a “One Stop Transportable Shop” and so many housing options for clients to consider, from kitset right through to full-build.

We can design, build and then move all from one place,” McInnes says.

The fact that the complete building service is offered by the one company means that clients

are dealing with one quote to take to the bank, something Derek says is a plus, particularly for first-home buyers.

“Reaction from the market has been very very positive so far, with enquiries going up considerably. We’ve definitely got a pioneering spirit to us; always looking for new ways to create markets and if the journey to date is anything to go by, we’ve got a great future ahead in the region.”

The company has been at Bell Block for two months and McInnes says its very satisfying to be operating from what was one of New Plymouth’s original house transport sites. With Sandy Southcome and now grandson Chris at the reins its going to be great match.

McInnes is not a builder. His strengths are in operational management and in the ability to “dig deep” as he says.

Married for 22 years to Kathryn and with a family of four children spanning 19 years of age to 5, he is quick to point out that his professional success is all to do with the support he receives at home.

“I couldn’t do it without my wife, it’s that simple.”

Building in Inglewood comes with its own set of challenges at times. The water-table is higher than in other districts and McInnes has discovered that you never quite know what you’re going to discover until you start to dig.

“We’ve built three houses in Inglewood, with the fourth about to start so we’re getting better at judging the ground situation.”

Competitive Homes Taranaki is just completing its first two-storey home in New Plymouth.

This build marked another new relationship as well. Always keen to help other people grow their own business, McInnes offered the build to Chad Tubby from Superior Builders.

“I think that is what good business is about. Helping other businesses to grow. It’s a responsibility I take seriously and has got to benefit the community I serve.”

The Competitive Homes partnership system allows each company in its network to act completely independently.

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16

Competitive Homes Oamaru - Mark Velenski Building l SUMMER2013

Competitive Homes

Mark Velenski Building completed this major renovation in Oamaru.

The Competitive approach appeals to Mark Kelly Deeks Oamaru builder Mark Velenski is set to start building his first Competitive Home shortly, since joining the Bunnings-led housing company as Oamaru agent about two years ago.

Velenski is a residential builder with about 19 years’ experience.

Oamaru born-and-bred, he completed his apprenticeship there before moving on to Dunedin then Nelson, gaining experience as a foreman and completing

builds of high end architectural homes, and a number of light commercial projects.

He returned to Oamaru in 2010, going back to the same employer who had first trained him, building a couple of new houses and then deciding to start his own business.

“From growing up here, I know quite a lot of people in town, and some of them offered me jobs when I started Mark Velenski Building,” he says.

“I did a big alteration in my first year in business, then a new house, then as

Mark Velenski Building will soon begin construction on this North Otago property.

word of mouth spread the business grew from there,” Velenski says.

After his first year in business, Velenski was approached by Bunnings Dunedin and asked to become the Oamaru agent for Competitive Homes.

“I really liked the Competitive Homes concept,” Mark says.

“The plans and pricing are available to people without having to pay a deposit.

“Plans are available on the Competitive Homes website, which can be changed without having to hire a draftsman, or we can build one-off homes for clients who come in with their own ideas.

“Once the concept is finalised and the client is happy with the price, the working drawings are done.”

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Velenski says this concept helps people avoid the disappointment of having their plans drawn up and priced, then coming in well over budget and having to downsize or completely change the idea of their dream home.

“With Competitive Homes you get a realistic idea of what the job is going to cost, before you have to put any money into it,” he says.

The Competitive Homes concept also attracted Velenski as he liked the idea of providing a complete package to his clients by being involved in the whole process from design, to pricing, to building.

“Because I’ve been through the design process, I get to know the house before building begins,” he says.

“I can also assist with the design by lending my building expertise to what will work as the best way to build each plan.”

As Competitive Homes isn’t a franchise, Velenski doesn’t have to pay franchise fees, and as his clients deal directly with him, he also doesn’t have to pay office or sales staff, keeping his overheads low and his prices competitive.

New home owners are also being won over by the Competitive Homes concept as well.

Mark Velenski Building’s first Competitive Home will be built for a client who loved the fact he could get his plan designed and priced without having to pay a deposit.

The build is set to begin early in the new year, with the house sited on a vineyard in North Otago.

The home will have a rustic appearance from the exterior with corrugated iron and timber, then a very high-spec interior including polished concrete floors and high- end fixtures and fittings.

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