Business Central December 2021

| 85 Cambridge’s Hill Homes a cut above the rest T Kelly Deeks Open-plan, indoor-outdoor living at its best. BUILDING House of the Year 2021: Hill Homes C ambridge’s Hill Homes is a custom building company creating new homes that are a cut above the rest, with Chris Hill’s passion and enthusiasm driving the busi- ness towards new challenges and taking on those projects that other people say no to. Hill Homes has been recognised at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year 2021, with its entry in the New Home $750,000 - $1 Million category bringing home a Gold Award and the Outdoor Living Lifestyle Award, as well as being ranked as one of the compe- tition’s Top 100 entries, with Hill Homes going on to the national competition later this year. Chris knew as soon as he looked through the plans that this was going to be a competi- tion-worthy project. “It was about the layout, the types of mate- rials they were planning on using, and some other cool features like louvres, solar panels, and a flat roof over part of the home. It wasn’t run of the mill, and it was going to use all of my expertise and all of my skills.” Despite Hill Homes pricing being compa- rable to that of other builders, the owners were blown away by Chris’s passion and enthusiasm and it was this that won him the job. “I told them right from the start we were going to enter this in House of the Year, and I definitely wasn’t aiming for silver.” The home’s owners had anticipated a holi- day home feel for their permanent residence as they went through the design process with Lee Turner from Turner Road Architecture in Cambridge. This feeling has been achieved in abundance with a large window opening out as a servery from the designer kitchen, adja- cent to the open plan living and dining space that spills through expansive stacker doors to a covered outdoor entertaining area, onto hardwood decking and out to an inground pool. The relaxing resort vibe continues through- out the 290sqm home, which is sunny and spacious. The exterior cedar cladding is repeated in the main living area, with walls of bold blue invoking thoughts of days on the beach and sunny skies. Chris says when he first started Hill Homes seven years ago, he would have been daunted by a project like this. “But now I eat them for lunch.” One of the biggest issues facing builders in Cambridge is the lack of available land to build on, and a constant stream of clients looking for land, and Hill Homes’ next challenge is a partnership in a small subdivision with the land owner, where one home will be replaced by four smaller homes. This is something Chris hasn’t done before, and after 16 years in the industry, he now lives for the challeng- es where he can find them. “I seek out the projects that everyone else says no to, and I want to try everything once. That’s what this subdivision is about - I haven’t done it before and it’s got me interested. I want to try and to every type of project.” • Bathrooms • Showers • Kitchens • Decks • Stone Work • Floor Prep • Splash Backs • Waterproofing 021 969 208 til ingnelson@gmail .com PROUD TO SUPPORT HILL HOMES Quality brick and block layer specialising in hinuera stone, brick veneer and structural masonry. Based in Cambridge and servicing the Waikato area. Free quotes Call Jake: 027 906 3327 or Email: cambridgebrickandblock@gmail.com Cambridge brick and block Ltd