92 | Award-winning builder hits sweet spot with clients Sunnycourt Homes’ Doug and Janet Simmons are rightly proud of the gold award winning home, going up against homes with a much bigger budget. from page 90 Sunnycourt Homes BUILDING “We’ll use a 2.55 stud, raked ceilings in the living area, that sort of thing. I always say that at the end of the day there’s only two things that limit you and that’s your site and your budget, other than that we can do anything,” says Doug. From the feedback they receive it’s clear they’re good at putting those two things together to hit the sweet spot for their clients; making the most of views and sun offered by the site, and ideally both at once. Some of the features that Doug thinks are important include things like the noise control that comes from having two living areas that work equally well whether open or closed, so that someone who wants to read a book can close the door on the rugby being watched in the room next door; ensuites built with two basins, a goodsized shower and a separate toilet with a door that can be closed and has its own extractor fan, affording maximum privacy; a garage big enough to fit a boat if need be, and not housing the laundry which is better in the house; and always plenty of storage in the house and garage alike. They’re things he’s always enjoyed in his own home and his clients seem to agree with him. They’ve recently had phone calls from two separate couples who’ve been in their homes for the last 10 years, “and who both happen to be moving on. They’ve rung and thanked us for building the house because they’ve always loved living in it, which is nice, we’ve enjoyed receiving those,” says Doug. While Doug and his wife Janet run the company they have a team of 10 builders who work exclusively for them and an extensive team of tradies they call on, many of whom have worked on Sunnycourt homes since they began 25 years ago. Long term relationships feature large in Sunnycourt. Their lead designer Ross McGowan is someone Doug has known all his life and has done their design since day one. Based in Te Awamatu he concentrates on the floorplan, working with Taupo based Jackie Robinson to get the designs through to consenting stage. The choice of materials and colours used is arrived at in discussion with the client, and they frequently mix and match the claddings used according to the shape of the house. One house that’s just won them a Gold Medal in the annual, nationwide Master Builders House of the Year Awards, happens to be Doug and Janet’s own recently completed build. “So we were the client as well as being everything else, it’s nice that our input has been recognised,” says Doug with a laugh. Theirs is a good example of a house designed with enough budget to make the most of what the site has to offer. With their trademark raked ceilings and underfloor heating, it’s on the edge of a big gully with a northerly aspect, and oversize picture windows to capture the views, and the sun. “It wasn’t the cheapest house to build but it’s pretty nice and obviously the judges thought the same,” says Doug. The “Builders Own Home of the Year Award” has no price categories, so Doug and Janet’s $800,000 gold medal winning house sat alongside one with more like a $4million budget. With everything that implies in terms of options the latter went on to win a regional award, but as Doug says, “to get a gold medal you have to attract a score of more than 90% of what’s available. So that creates a level playing field for everybody, and that’s what decides whether you get a gold, silver or bronze medal. “There were four entries and two got silver and two got gold, we’re pretty happy with our gold medal that’s for sure.” While they’ve got plenty of work on for the foreseeable future, Sunnycourt Homes are always open to the next challenge that comes along, and look forward to meeting the next people who come in the door with a site, a budget, and some ideas about what they want to build. “I always say that at the end of the day there’s only two things that limit you and that’s your site and your budget, other than that we can do anything.” Proud to be associated with Sunnycourt Homes Grant Fisher Phone 027 492 6895 www.interior.co.nz Kitchens | Vanities | Custom Cabinetry Whether you’re building new or renovating your existing property, it’s a given that you want all of the rooms in your home to meet the requirements of you and your family.
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