| 81 T T Kelly Deeks Company built on trade and business skills Renovations are where the team’s passion lie. Jambuilt Construction BUILDING Jambuilt Construction is steadily carving out its place in the lower North Island’s residential building market, drawing on a mix of hands-on trade experience and commercial discipline to grow a business built around renovations, bespoke homes, and long-term client relationships. The Palmerston North–based company is led by director James Watt, whose path into construction was anything but linear. Before picking up the tools full-time, James owned and operated two Hell Pizza franchises and says that experience proved foundational when he later shifted into building. While the Jambuilt entity itself was registered in 2012, the construction business has been operating in its current form for around four years, following James’ decision to sell the pizza stores and formally complete his building apprenticeship. He finished that in 2022, completing the programme in just 20 months through intensive study and on-site application. Building, however, was always part of the family story. James comes from four generations of builders and joiners, with early experience gained through years assisting his father with construction work and weekend renovations at his own home. That background helped shape a practical understanding of older housing stock, an area that has since become a core strength of Jambuilt’s operation. After qualifying, James continued working within an established construction firm, splitting time between the tools and the office. He stepped into estimating, pricing, and contract documentation, gaining what he describes as “golden” experience in the commercial realities of construction. “Running a building company isn’t just about being good on the tools,” James says. “Cash flow, pricing, managing people – those are things you don’t learn through an apprenticeship.” That blend of trade and business experience has carried through to Jambuilt’s approach today. Since relocating to Palmerston North two years ago, James and his wife have effectively rebuilt the business from the ground up, servicing a mix of residential renovations, architectural new homes, labour-only group housing work, and light commercial fit-outs. The company also continues to complete projects in Wellington, where James’ earlier networks remain active. Renovations are where the team’s passion lie. James says older homes offer the complexity and challenge that new builds often lack, particularly when integrating modern design into existing structures. “You never quite know what you’re going to find when you open up a wall,” he says. “That problem-solving side is what we enjoy, and it’s invaluable for apprentices to understand how houses were built in the past.” “That problem-solving side is what we enjoy, and it’s invaluable for apprentices to understand how houses were built in the past.” Jambuilt is also placing emphasis on early builder involvement in the design process, particularly to manage budgets and expectations. James says too many projects run into trouble when design decisions are made without an understanding of construction realities or costs. “If you engage a builder early, you can shape the design so it grows within a realistic budget, rather than spending $10,000 on plans that can’t be built for the money available,” he says. Looking ahead, the focus is on steady, sustainable growth rather than scale for its own sake. James wants Jambuilt to reach a point where it can be selective about the work it takes on, concentrating on projects the team is genuinely passionate about. Culture is central to that vision. As an NZ Certified Builder employing trade-qualified carpenters and BCITO apprentices, James remains hands-on, working alongside his team on-site. “I don’t expect anyone to do work I won’t do myself,” he says. “If we can deliver great builds, be honest about pricing, and make sure clients walk away saying the experience matched the promise, then we’re doing it right.” are proud to support James and the team at Jambuilt Construction @fisherwindowswellington 0800 347 437
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