Business Central July 2021

34 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Manawatu - JTD Building Joss - building the dream in Pahiatua T Richard Loader The business has evolved to a team of five with projects ranging from new residential builds and large scale renovations. T he small Manawatu township of Pa- hiatua has been Joss Tua-Davidson’s hometown for his entire building career and he loves it. Despite a surge in residential property growth the town remains quietly rural, absent of hustle and bustle, and getting anywhere within the town is always a quick journey. Joss says that while land has always been cheap, in the last 18 months people have been ‘swooping on it and moving into the area’ because of the town’s central location. “The cost of sections has increased signif- icantly to what they used to be a year ago. There’s been a huge increase in the number of new homes going up in the Pahiatua area and that is where the majority of our new builds are coming from. “We also build in Woodville and out to Palm- erston North, and there’s a large rural area within the Tararua district that we do work for. “Those rural properties often have old homesteads that the farm owners want renovated — quite a different kind of work involving a lot more detail.” Joss has been in the building industry for 20 years now, and founded JTD Building in 2007, just a few years before the wake of the GFC hit Pahiatua. He says while the GFC caused a regional slow down that has now passed, with no shortage of building work. From a one man operation undertaking small renovations, bathrooms and decks, Joss’ reputation for quality craftsmanship grew and the business evolved to a team of five with projects ranging from new residential builds and large scale renovations. “I’m passionate about delivering a good quality job,” says Joss. “I’m probably a bit of a perfectionist; wheth- er that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It can be a pain for some people because they’re won- dering what on earth I’m going on about when I see some a little imperfection somewhere, that others might just accept.” Determined to stay on the tools for as long as he can, partly to maintain his physical fit- ness and partly to keep his finger on the pulse of his projects, Joss says the close relationship he has with his team is very important. “You have to be able to rely on people and give them respect. The ‘80s mentality of yelling at your staff no longer works.” “There’s been a huge increase in the number of new homes going up in the Pahiatua area and that is where the majority of our new builds are coming.” Containing the size of his business also enables Joss to maintain a close one on one relationship with his clients. “It’s a massive thing for most people. Build- ing a house is the biggest investment they’re likely to make outside of buying a business. So it has to be done properly and a lot of communication goes between your client and yourself. As long as I have been building I have never had any dispute with a customer. “Once you start doing things a certain way and it’s working, you don’t really want to change. It’s about being straight up with people and delivering quality.” Predominantly a residential builder, JTD Building also does some design-and-build projects, with clients typically bringing a basic floor plan for Joss to review. “We will visit the client’s section with the floor plan and see how it will fit with the con- tour of the land, the direction of the sun and any views. We’ll recommend adjustments to the floor plan and then once agreed send that to one of our architects for elevations.” Joss also attributes his success to the team of subcontractors he routinely uses who he says are of the ‘old school’ who put more time into the job to provide a high quality job. In Joss’ line of work, perfectionism is always the key to success. Call Scott for a free quote 027 492 1113 0800 4444 12 Residential & Commercial Scaffolding • Edge Protection • Working Platforms • Safety Nets • Mobile Scaffolding A.P.V. PLUMBING LTD Kenny Allison Certified Craftsman | Plumber | Gasfitter Free Quotes & Consultation Solar Installations Roofing Central Heating Installations All Work Guaranteed Competitive Rates !!! NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL!!! 22 Mulgrave Street, Ashurst | Mobile 027 241 3457 | A/h 326 9346 Email apvplumbing@xtra.co.nz Proud to supply materials to JTD Building • Timber & General Hardware • Retaining Wall Sleepers • Plywood • Gib • Hand & Power Tools • Paint & Accessories • Storage Sheds & Buildings • Rural Posts & Poles D A N N E V I R K E L I M I T E D Contact: Jeff Sharp - Store Manager 198 High Street Dannevirke 4930 Postal: PO Box 245 , Dannevirke 4942 Phone: 06 374 4260 Fax: 06 374 6075