| 87 BUILDING Homebuild Homes Virginia Wright Build the same home for less A recently completed build in Manawatu. Based in Palmerston North, residential Design and Build company Homebuild Homes Ltd. was established by Peter May in 1993. Peter’s daughter Victoria Jakobs took over the reins five years ago, having worked alongside him for most of the last 20. Their builds range through the lower part of the North Island: Manawatu, Rangitikei, Tararua, Horowhenua, and the Kapiti Coast, but not including Wellington. They’re still a family business with a model which Victoria believes is disappearing under the combined weight of franchises and the building cycles which inevitably bring hard times after the good. “I used to work as a project manager in advertising,” says Victoria, “and I liken franchises to when car-buyers look for a brand. Somebody who wants a BMW or a Mercedes whereas they could get a Honda for example, with the exact same specification, for a much lower price. Our business model is that we build the same house for less.” To achieve that Homebuild Homes Ltd. concentrates on three key areas while always keeping their overheads low. They design and build houses for clients who already own their section; they design and build on land owned by Homebuild, whether off a plan put together for a client, or as a spec proposition; and they do small scale subdivisions, either on their own or in partnership with others, where they manage the land subdivision as well as designing and building the houses, putting their construction expertise to good use. “The Design and Build is more like a service whereas the House and Land Package is more like a product we sell,” says Victoria. Homebuild Homes Ltd. pride themselves on being cost focused with their mantra being “if it can be done well for less we will find out how.” Their in depth understanding of increasingly complex construction regulations, and the increasing costs that come with them, comes from years of experience in the industry. They know what questions to ask the engineer for example, and how to identify the different options to make sure they include the most cost-effective solution that isn’t necessarily the first one that’s offered. They don’t have salespeople, and they run a lean team explains Victoria. “We’re very experienced at what we’re doing. We stick to Project Management staff and the rest of our work is done by contractors most of whom we have very long-standing relationships with. “We treat them well and they treat us well which creates a better outcome for our clients.” This focus on value for money for customers remains true whether they’re doing their own subdivisions or working with clients. The six-lot subdivision they’re doing in Foxton is a classic example of how they make the most of their value proposition, starting with choosing their location with care, knowing exactly who they’re targeting, and thinking carefully about how they like to lead their lives. “Our focus there is to do two-bedroom units for the older population, so they’re in town and easily walkable to the supermarket and all the other amenities,” says Victoria. “They’re small at 105sqm with a single car garage each. We’ve gone low maintenance using brick cladding with a linea feature, small sections with a lawn and raised garden beds ready for their veggies, and an outdoor living area.” The kitchens are on trend without being trend-setters: light wood-grain finish, stone benchtop, all electric so they’re not paying a daily rental charge for gas on top of their electricity bill. Aware of the demographic they’re aiming for the bathrooms feature walk-in tiled showers with plenty of room and no lip to trip over. Two have already been built of which one is sold. They’re the first of two duplexes, with two stand-alones making up the six units, all close to the heart of the rapidly changing small town of Foxton. It’s a town dear to Victoria’s heart who shares its Dutch heritage, and Homebuild Homes are proud of the contribution they’re making to its affordable lifestyle. John Leader Electrical is proud to support Homebuild Homes
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