86 | BUILDING Drinkrow Building T T Rosa Watson Renovation specialists Hawke’s Bay-based Drinkrow Building specialises in renovations and extensions. Brad Nicoll 021 2584846 mrgasfitter@gmail.com MICO NAPIER 102-106 TARADALE ROAD ONEKAWA, NAPIER 06 843 6002 www.mico.co.nz CREATE YOUR DREAM BATHROOM AT MICO Proud supporters of Drinkrow Building new aluminium joinery | glazing | mirrors | frameless showers | lead lights p. 06 844 7111 e. info@nicholglassandaluminium.co.nz a. 163 Awatoto Road, Awatoto, Napier www.nicholglass.co.nz 0800 2SPOUT admin@caskspouting.co.nz www.caskspouting.co.nz Proudly supporting Drinkrow Building Hawke’s Bay based Drinkrow Building are helping homeowners love the home they’re in with a specialty in renovations and extensions. The company, which has just celebrated its 10th year in business, was started by Jesse and Michelle Drinkrow and specialises in renovations and extensions, which they say require a different approach to a new build. “You have to have some expertise when it comes to renovation, particularly about how to tie the old with the new part and the extension. You really do have to understand how that’s going to work,” Michelle says. Jesse has been building for around 20 years, starting his own business after gaining his qualifications. It started with just him and an apprentice. Now he and Michelle are in the office and there are five staff out on the job. Michelle was able bring her experience as a property valuer to the fold. “I do have quite a strong passion and interest in housing and property. So, it’s working really well.” She says the number of new builds versus renovations changed year to year. “Probably for the last few years we’ve done more new builds … in the last 12 to 18 months we’ve done more renovations and extensions. I think it depends on what the property market is doing. “A lot of our clients have said to us that they thought about building, but looked at the price of land and thought we actually quite like where we are, why don’t we make this our home and go for it.” She says they have been involved in some great projects over the years, including one home that was evaluated for a green-star rating. Michelle says the decision to renovate or build new comes down to individual choice. “It’s a good option if you are in a good spot with a bit of land. It’s not necessarily a cheaper option, but it does mean that they can utilise what they have.” It was generally always possible to renovate a home but she encouraged anyone considering the option to consult the experts. “We like to get involved with the client from the very beginning and give our advice. From there, it’s getting the structural and geo-technical engineers involved, and of course the architect or draughtsman. “We really enjoy giving some advice and adding value to the project. There’s nothing worse than someone turning up with plans that have (something like) expensive structural beams that could have been avoided if we’d been able to have a chat.” Michelle says the big challenge for the Hawke’s Bay region right now is cyclone recovery. Drinkrow Building is based near Eskdale, which bore the brunt of the storm. There were still many families looking to rebuild either on site or find land elsewhere, Michelle says. “Although there’s been some zoning released for people … there’s still a lot of work to be before they can rebuild. “Many people may need to find some land to build (in the region) or it just might move some people out of the area. I think people are on tenterhooks, really.” She was pleased to see the sharp increases in construction costs that battered the industry post COVID had plateaued. But with the H1 changes coming in that will add further cost to be passed on to the client.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=