| 127 T T Sue Russell Thinking ahead with Leon’s team Leon Walker Builder has chosen to concentrate on renovations, alterations and extensions. Leon Walker Builders BUILDING Leon Walker established his building company in 2019, just before Covid, as it turns out, was about to change the world for a few years. Originating from Auckland, Leon had spent some years in the Defence Force, working for a time in the engineering division, where he obtained his trade qualifications. His building company, LWB, is based out of Ashhurst, near Palmerston North. “It was during that time in the army that the build side of things grew on. Jessica and I had just had our third child when I went out on my own with the business, having left the forces.” Acknowledging that while he carried the actual building skills, he was fairly green at running the business, Leon says it came to a place where he realised he needed to focus on acquiring the skills to run a business, and cement which direction he wanted the company to go in. A big step forward was to take on another qualified builder, also ex-army, who has been with Leon for three years now, and more recently another builder came on board, this time from Afghanistan. He had also been in their army, moved to New Zealand, and became part of the team. Asked why he has chosen to concentrate on renovations, alterations/extensions and the like, Leon says this is where the real challenges are - especially at this time when money has been tight, and homeowners are thinking more about making changes to their existing home, rather than selling and buying afresh. “There is a lot more thinking involved and you have to know how the building was constructed so that what you change or add is in keeping with the era of the build. I find this really engaging work.” When Business Central spoke with Leon, he and the team were working on a build that initially was to be a small concrete extension, but has turned out to be anything other. “It’s become a much bigger job because of the age and stage of the house, with parts that needed to be rebuilt due to the condition of the original materials.” Concentrating on these types of projects means that pricing has to be carefully considered. Leon says he works to a system where he gives clients an accurate quote based on what he is able to see. “My clients understand that there are often unknowns when dealing with jobs of this nature. I have a good conversation with the client up front about possibilities that may evolve, and that keeps the project on solid ground.” Planning well ahead is integral to a successful outcome and as a small, family-owned business the benefit that flows to clients is that they are dealing with the one person. To assist this organisational part of a build, Leon has evolved templates to form the basis of conversations. Understanding the budget is integral to a project progressing well. “I’m fortunate to work in with a very experienced, talented joinery company. If, for instance, we’re working on replacing a kitchen, I’ll have the initial meeting with the client to gain a sense of the space and what they want, then I’ll involve the joiner, who creates the design and we meet again with the clients who are supplied with 3D drawings to review.” This year marks the fifth anniversary of the company and Leon’s 10th year in the building trade. When not able to swing a hammer himself, due to an Achilles heel injury, this allowed the other staff members to grow in their roles. Leon now sees himself stepping off the tools part-time to work on the business. “I don’t have aspirations to get crazy big, that’s for sure, because you lose something in the process. Perhaps one, maybe two more builders joining the team in years to come, but we’ll see!”
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