26 | Tararua: JTD Building Richard Loader Joss’s team takes success in its stride Joss and his team build in Pahiatua, Woodville and out to Palmerston North, along with a large rural area within the Tararua district. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Nothing echoes the heart and soul of a business more than a story that brings it all to life. Twenty-one years ago, Joss Tua-Davidson was a young apprentice working for a craftsman-builder in the small rural area of Alfredton, just out of Pahiatua. One of Joss’s projects was the renovation of a big old homestead on a family farm in the area. Twenty-one years later, the farmer’s daughter and her husband had bought the farm and were looking to renovate the big old farm homestead once again, to suit their own family needs. Based on a client-relationship forged all those years ago, Joss, who now owns JTD Building in Pahiatua, was invited to undertake the renovation. “I hadn’t spoken to the client for years, and when you get a phone call like that it’s pretty cool,” says Joss. “The client had seen some of our work and was pleased that we were still active in the industry. We looked at the old homestead, and for the money that was going to be spent, it made more sense to pull that old house down and build another homestead for them, which we have now just about completed. It was just so cool to go back after all those years and work for the same people.” Joss has been in business for himself since 2007, just a few years before the wake of the GFC hit Pahiatua. From a one man operation undertaking small renovations, bathrooms and decks, Joss’ reputation for quality craftsmanship grew and the business evolved into a team of five with projects ranging from new residential builds and large scale renovations. “Our success has been about maintaining a high standard of work and building those lasting relationships with our clients. “Clients spend a lot of money on their new home, or renovation, so you have to get things right. Instead of just turning up with a plan and building it, you have to get everyone involved and feeling part of the project, getting everyone’s opinions and ideas to get that finished product. “Starting with a bare bit of dirt, you bring your team, the client, all the subbies and different people in, ending up with this awesome home, and that’s a pretty cool process.” “Starting with a bare bit of dirt, you bring your team, the client, all the subbies and different people in, ending up with this awesome home, and that’s a pretty cool process,” says Joss. “While the Pahiatua area is where the majority of new builds are coming from, Joss and his team also build in Woodville and out to Palmerston North, along with a large rural area within the Tararua district. “Those rural properties often have old homesteads that the farm owners want renovated,” says Joss. “That’s quite a different kind of work involving a lot more detail.” For the life and sustainability of the industry, Joss says attracting the right people to it and training them to build the right way is critical. “As an employer it’s important to be part of that journey. The way I see it, there are builders/craftsman, and there are building assemblers, particularly in the bigger areas. All they will do is frames, concrete slabs, gib. “Not many builders involved in major residential projects in the big centres will do everything from start to finish. To get young people in and train them to do everything, is pretty cool.” Joss’s most experienced team member has been with JTD Builders for seven years, starting his apprenticeship straight from school. “He’s done his apprenticeship, bought an old house, done that up, sold it, made some money, bought a section and built a new home. “For a guy who is twenty-six with a wife and a couple of kids, that’s pretty cool. You have the monetary side of your business and what you’re trying to achieve, but to have guys come in and do that kind of thing is very rewarding.” Proud to work in conjunction with JTD Building Electrical Design & Installation - Security Industrial / Commercial / Residential 06 356 7901 | info@aceelectrics.co.nz CUSTOM CABINETRY SOLUTIONS • Kitchens • Sculleries • Wardrobes and laundries • New builds and renovations SPECIALISING IN Steven McHardy 021320228 steven@ccslimited.co.nz
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