Business Central December 2021

| 89 Bold move pays off for young firm T Sue Russell The project involved creating a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area where two bedrooms had once been. BUILDING House of the Year 2021: Onslow Construction P almerston North residential building business Onslow Construction is led by Chris Tombleson who established the company in 2015. “It was always my intention to go out on my own. There was plenty of work and I started building relocatable houses for a developer which gave me a good solid start out on my own.” Having then built a house for an architect Chris says the work just kept coming. Today, he now employs two apprentices. “I was lucky that at the time I wanted to employ another apprentice I had a call from some-one who wanted to start his training with me,” Chris says. Palmerston North has many beautiful old homes with great bones just waiting for an inspirational renovation to bring them into the new world. For Chris, working with these gracious, well-built solid homes in a way that preserves their special character is a building discipline he really enjoys. So when the opportunity came last year to work on a substantial redesign of a lovely old home Chris didn’t hesitate. “I had known the owners, who have lived in this home for a long time, for many years. They are a couple who have very high stand- ards. So when they decided that substantially redesigning the floor-plan would bring them the lifestyle they wanted, it was a wonderful opportunity.” Chris says the biggest challenge was to meld the classic bungalow style with a contempo- rary feel and looking at the end result, he feels that goals has certainly been achieved. “You look for the special design elements from the original build and replicate them in the new spaces to connect new from old.” A key-driver in the massive renovation was to shift the living areas to the back of the home and to open it up so that the owners’ carefully nurtured gardens would become part of their daily lifestyle. This involved creat- ing a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area where two bedrooms had once been. “Once this was done we could open out the living area to enjoy the lovely deck bridging the home to the garden beyond. The kitchen is really the heart of the home. Often in older homes, the kitchen is tucked away from the living space, with no view.” What was the home’s formal lounge has become the master bedroom, with a large ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. Chris always felt this project warranted entry into this year’s Manawatu/Whanganui region Master Builders House of the Year Award. That belief in the project was reward- ed in recognition at the highest level, receiv- ing the Regional Supreme Renovation of the Year (up to $500,000) title, regional category winner, regional gold and National Top 100 selection. “The most enjoyable thing for me was mak- ing the home look like one home and to really honour its history.” When the awards were announced on 6 August at the Awapuni Function Centre Chris says he had little time to prepare a few words to say. “The renovation category we were in was the first to be announced and before I knew it we were on the stage speaking. This was our first time entering the House of the Year Awards and it was a really enjoyable experi- ence.” Since COVID arrived last year Chris says he’s experienced a steady increase in price of ma- terials, which for a smallish building business has not been too challenging to manage to this point. “Where it’s really hitting now though is in the time-frames for supply of materials. Large scale manufacturers are focussing on supplying the overseas market rather than the domestic at this time. I’m working on a house at the moment and waiting for two structural timber items that should have been supplied a month ago.” Working with supply uncertainties is a build- ing reality at this time and one, Chris says, that calls for really good communication with clients right from the outset. “Most people understand we are working with constraints we can’t control but this has certainly added a new dynamic to the building process.” Driveways, House Floors, Cow Sheds etc Proud to be associated with Onslow Construction and Design Contact Jarrod: 0274 569 740 E: jarrodnesbit@icloud.com