82 | A long line of design specialists Like other builders, Howard is seeing a strong trend towards building sustainable homes. BUILDING Smartway Builders T T Russell Fredric 04 886 1884 Always Professional, Always Reliable, Always Efficient PROUD TO SUPPORT SMARTWAY BUILDERS PARAPARAUMU • WELLINGTON • LEVIN www.brienelectrical.co.nz Freephone 0800 TEAMBRIEN Freephone 0800 832627 Electrical Contracting and Project Management • Electrical Design & Planning Services Air-Conditioning Install & Maintenance • Commercial Lighting & Switching • Electrical Maintenance & Periodic Inspections • BWOF and EWOF, IQP Accredited • Fire Alarm Systems & Emergency Lighting • Additions & Alterations • Free Quotes for any project Robyn De La Haye award winning designer 3D WALK-THROUGHS and PHOTO REALISM New Houses | Alterations | Renovations | Commercial ESSENCE DESIGN LIMITED T: 027 490 4309 E: ROBYN@ESSENCEDESIGN.CO.NZ Although many builders in New Zealand can justifiably claim ‘it’s in the blood’, the heritage of Smartway Builders director Howard Woolston’s is next-level. His paternal ancestors dating back to the early 1700’s, and possibly earlier, were masters in the art of creating items of enduring quality, which perhaps explains Howard’s own passion for craftsmanship and attention to detail. One ancestor, Joseph Woolston, who lived from the late 1700’s to the mid 1800’s, was a coach builder in London, while subsequent generations were carpenters and joiners. Howard’s grandfather, Leslie, was involved in the design and construction of bridges around Wanganui while his father Ralph trained as a carpenter / cabinet maker and spent many years in the building industry in Wellington. “I didn’t realise that there was an absolute passion for building generation after generation, including people being involved in the formation of the [New Zealand] Master Builders Association.” Despite this, Howard transitioned into the trade later in life after he and his wife Ann had been involved in residential property, renovating and selling houses. “We did that for a number of years, but we struggled to get good quality builders and sub-trades so we thought maybe we should start our own building company.” “It came out of a need to raise the bar, I suspect, in the whole building industry.” One thing both he and Ann are passionate about is ensuring good communication, responsiveness with clients and delivering on promises, the prevalent lack of which irked them greatly in their property business. This business strategy has been extremely successful and, along with the quality focus, has been foundational to growing Smartway Builders to employing around 16 staff over just 10 years. Based in Tawa, the company undertakes new builds, renovations and extensions and has developed a range of 60 predesigned plans that are an ideal starting point for people to customise them to their personal needs. “We have architects that we work with that help us to customise the design. We do an initial concept design and then we go through all the detailed design and consents and manage the entire build. We wrap our arms around the entire process from start to finish.” Achieving this has not always been easy, particularly during material shortages last year. Howard and his staff went to great lengths to ensure jobs were not delayed, enquiring throughout New Zealand to secure products which proved very successful. “At one stage I had more framing timber than my merchant had. We started jobs during difficult times and we finished jobs during difficult times simply because I wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Like other builders, Howard is seeing a strong trend towards building sustainable homes. “More and more people are looking to leave less of a footprint on the planet and they are looking as to how in fact we can do something different.” “We are investigating at the moment full roofs that are made out of solar tiles as opposed to having solar panels.” Smartway Builders is committed to sustainable practices and aims to include these principles into its design and building considerations as much as possible. This commitment has extended to establishing a sister company, The Timber Reclaimers, that repurposes waste timber into desirable craft products such as coasters, inspirational plaques, hot mats and artistic designs.
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