76 | Fluctuation clause gives piece of mind Designed like a barn, with gabled ceiling allowing a loft inside, the off-grid home has a spectacular views. Maridale Construction T T Sue Russell BUILDING Brian Marriner has been building all manner of residential homes, including renovations and extensions since starting his apprenticeship in 1979. The Upper Hutt-based builder first worked as a sole trader before creating Maridale Construction in 2001. Today, he leads a team of six, undertaking bespoke new builds but of late moving increasingly to smaller projects as the building market has shifted. “At the moment we have three jobs on the go. The workload has dropped off and now we’re down to three or four months work ahead secured. Brian is a firm believer in the Registered Master Builders association. He uses their contract for all his projects. The contract has a fluctuation clause in it, which provides him with peace of mind, should material costs impact the financial viability of the project. “We make sure our clients know this clause is in the contract. They understand the times we’re facing as builders at the moment, with issues beyond our control impacting building costs.” Brian’s also a keen advocate of the peace of mind that comes with providing clients with the Master Builders 10 year guarantee on workmanship. He also enjoys the support received latest updates on rules/regulations or any issues impacting builders. “It’s nice to know that someone has your back.” Supporting new young builders into the industry is another important responsibility Maridale Construction takes seriously. When Business Central caught up with Brian late April one man had just come out of his apprenticeship while another employee was due to complete his learning pathway by the end of this year. “We make sure our clients know this clause is in the contract. They understand the times we’re facing as builders at the moment, with issues beyond our control impacting building costs.” “We teach our apprentices well. I served my time and remember how important it was that the experienced builders on the building site with me passed on their knowledge. That’s how its supposed to be in terms of the practical day to day reality of being a good builder.” A special off-the-grid build near Featherstone provided Brian and the team with a few adventures along the way. Working remotely on a steep site surrounded by forestry, materials had to be helicoptered in or driven up a challenging road via 4 wheel-drives. “The helicopter pilot made 10 trips up to the site to deliver all the big stuff. That’s the fourth time we’ve been involved in a build involving helicopters.” The homes exterior roof and wall structures are SIP (Structural Insulated) Panels. Being positioned on the south side of a hill made these necessary. “Our clients were excellent to work with. They wanted to ensure their energy needs were self-sufficient. We like to call it the black house on the side of the hill.” Designed like a barn, with gabled ceiling allowing a loft inside, the home has a spectacular views to the south , while at the back an outdoor area offers additional living/entertaining space. The home has been entered in this year’s Cook Strait region Registered Master Builders Association House of the Year Award. The region encompasses Wellington & Wairarapa. Approaching the business end of his building career Brian says he’s pleased a good handover strategy in place, in the form of son Regan and daughter-in-law Annie now shareholders in the business. “We’re pretty happy with the size we’re at now. We will be looking to take on a new apprentice at some stage.” Let our superior craftsmanship transform your home. For more than 20 years, the friendly, award-winning team at Well Hung Joinery has been manufacturing custom made timber doors, windows and kitchen cabinetry for Wellington homes. PROUD TO SUPPORT MARIDALE CONSTRUCTION 04 494 7230 www.wellhungjoinery.co.nz 21 Lower Tyers Road, Ngauranga
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