88 | BUILDING Schaw Building Ltd T T Richard Loader Realising their passion for perfection New builds, renovations, hard landscaping, decking and retaining walls are all part of the service. The Schaw Building team (above). In 2010 and in the peak of the global financial crisis for rural New Zealand, and with three young children in tow, Marcus and Sarah Schaw took the courageous step to establish their own building company, and realise their passion for perfection. Based in Waipukurau, and operating throughout Central Hawke’s Bay, Schaw Building Ltd cut its teeth on rural work including cattle yards and woolsheds, along with residential re-piling and underfloor insulation — anything, during those first challenging years. By 2015, with three residential projects on the go, the business had grown to a staff of six and Sarah took on the role of project manager, very much working as a team with her husband. “Our projects are still focused on the residential and rural sector,” says Sarah. “We have a number of clients who we look after on a regular basis, and they are the ones who supported Marcus when we first started out. We’re doing new builds and renovations, hard landscaping including concrete work, decking and retaining walls. And we do quite a bit of rural building including pole barns, sheep yards.” Marcus acknowledges that the current economy has been a nightmare to navigate. “Higher interest rates and the cost of living are making people very nervous. Three years ago we were definitely doing more new builds, but over the last three to four months the new build enquiries have dropped right off, in favour of renovation enquiries. We try to always have a mix of new builds, renovations and smaller projects on the go.” With the hope that the volume of new builds will increase post-election, Sarah says the perfect scenario is when Marcus has the opportunity to engage with the client early in the project. “When people are purchasing sections and thinking about building a home, that is when we love to get involved. We work closely with two local draughtsmen and that enables us to help people design and build what they want within their budget, rather than getting a set of plans that are going out for tender, and far exceed the client’s budget. The relationship you have with your builder has to be one of trust. We acknowledge that we are dealing with people’s biggest asset. We want to make it so that people enjoy the building process and that it is not stressful for them. While the Schaw Building team has been up to 15 staff in the past, it currently sits at eight, along with Marcus, Sarah, and two part time office staff, which Marcus says is the perfect number. “We currently have two apprentices in the team, and training apprentices is hugely critical to us. Ideally, we have the same number of qualified staff as we do apprentices, so that each foreman gets allocated an apprentice to take under his or her wing. Sarah and I have now split the project management roles so that I gets the project out of the ground and roof ready, and once that occurs the project is handed over to Sarah” “Our projects are still focused on the residential and rural sector.” Your local First Windows & Doors manufacturer Contact us today for all your window and door requirements Ph: 06 878 0160 | E: info@twincity.co.nz | 121 Elwood Rd, Hastings Approved supplier to the Hawkes Bay Regional Council Sustainable Homes Double Glazing Scheme
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