118 | Diverse projects keep firm busy New Style Homes does a mix of residential new builds and renovations, as well as commercial and rural work. New Style Homes: Millstone Subdivision T T Sue Russell BUILDING Nick and Paige Childs lead Taranaki building company New Style Homes, a business originally formed in 1990 by Nick’s parents Mike and Lynette Childs. As proud Taranaki people, Nick and Paige say there’s no better place to be building homes, undertaking renovations, and doing commercial and rural work. “I actually worked for Dad from 2010, and Paige and I took over the company in 2024,” says Nick. “He’s been building in the region for so long and grown an enviable reputation. We’re just a small team at the moment, with six of us.” Nick says the bulk of work now is in the residential space, though the team was occupied with a number of commercial projects all over Taranaki until about two years ago. More recently, New Style Homes has been connected with an attractive subdivision in New Plymouth. Millstone, located in the central suburb of Lower Vogeltown and bordering on Brooklands, offers residents an array of amenities and is close to schools and recreation spaces. The subdivision is being developed by Cygnet Land Developments owners, locals Craig and Lisa Swan, and Nick says he was approached nearly two years ago by the couple and asked if he would like to put a sign up, as one of a select few Millstone preferred builders. “There are two sections with our signs, and we’re delighted to be involved in this subdivision that has been very thoughtfully planned. Phase 1, amounting to 10 sections, is on the market now with the contoured development close to the Huatoki Stream.” Covenants over the subdivision will ensure a high standard of housing. When finally completed, Millstone will have 23 residential sections ranging in size from 426sqm to 830sqm. Nick says he has developed concept plans to give viewers a sense of what each section’s development potential is. Currently, New Style Homes is working on two large residential homes in Stratford, having just completed quite a high-spec renovation in New Plymouth. When it comes to renovation work, Nick says he likes to have two projects on the go at the same time, at various stages of completion. Although actively on the tools, Nick says he endeavours to set aside a couple of days each week to work in the office, while Paige’s strong administrative capabilities see her looking after the software, office functions, payroll and accounts. The team working with Nick currently includes three apprentices, one of whom will be fully qualified soon. Nick started his apprenticeship in 2011 and says these days there’s more connectivity with software technologies. “In my day there was a lot more hand-written paperwork. “Now it’s about using devices, which works well in this day and age. BCITO are evolving the nature of the apprenticeship pathway.” One development Nick has introduced into the business is the construction of their own frames in the workshop. The benefit this brings to the apprentices is that they experience first-hand why a structure is built the way it is. “It means by the time they’re on-site working on a build, they’ve got a very good understanding as to form and structure.” Headquarters for New Style Homes is in Stratford. It includes an office and showroom with the workshop at the back. Stratford is an ideal location to reach all settlements in Taranaki. Since taking over, Nick says, the journey has been great, with Dad very much still hands-on and a great sounding board. “I would like to streamline our systems a little more, and I’m happy with the size of the team we have. It’s a good number for the volume of projects we take on at any one time.” • DOORS • WINDOWS • BI FOLD DOORS • STACKER DOORS • BALLUSTRADES • FOLD BACK BI-FOLDS • EURO SLIDERS • REPAIRS & GLAZING • CONSERVATORIES • FRENCH DOORS • SECURITY DOORS • DOUBLE GLAZING Call Paul for all your Door & Window Solutions P. 06 765 0556 M. 027 200 5556 E. paul@nebulitetaranaki.co.nz 76 Portia Street, PO Box 58, Stratford 4352 WI NDOW AND DOOR SOL U T I ONS ® • Plasterboard stopping and Exterior Coatings • Rockcote / Specialised Applicator. LBP. Need a Master Plasterer? 027 315 3439 / 021 058 0722 srsrgray@xtra.co.nz Contact Us
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