| 109 T T Sue Ruissell Company well established and regarded The couple purchased a Totalspan Franchise after building a garage themselves, during a time when Errol was running his own Timber construction business. Totalspan East Waikato BUILDING Errol and Diane Furze own and operate Totalspan East Waikato, based in Waharoa, near Matamata. The business has been operating for more than15 years, is part of Spanbuild NZ network. Diane describes the company as a real family affair, with Errol the business roles with their son and daughter now working in working in the business full time as well. Diane takes care of the administration and marketing day to day management of the business. She says it is good to be at the place now where the company is well established and regarded. Like many businesses we are experiencing a “ slowed down somewhat since the giddying days of COVID”. Challenges getting access to supplies was very difficult causing delays to construction, but now we are very much back on track and looking forward to new projects this year.” With now regular product supply available this means, Diane says, they are in a very good position to be able to provide potential customers with pricing and provide a good lead time of 16 to 20 week, depending on their nature and size of the prpject, instead of six months in some cases 12 months to complete. Some buildings mainly “ Open farm” buildings and small garages do not require building consent , however council regulations must still be met, for compliance purposes. The couple came to purchase a Totalspan Franchise through building a garage themselves during a time when Errol was running his own Timber construction business he still remained a licensed building practitioner, but was ready to come off the tools and undertake a new type of construction business. By taking on the franchise, this was a way for Errol to step off the tools, and re-establish a new business venture. Diane says many benefits flow from building using steel framing, starting with the trueness of the lines and the absense of mold and condensation. “You get straighter lines with steel. All the pieces work and fit together perfectly and they are strong, requiring minimal maintenance once built. Our designs are flexible as well, so we can design to fit absolutely each client’s wishes.” An important element to the business is the training the company provides to its employees, something Diane says is critically important to its strength and continued success. “It means all our team know exactly the standard of workmanship expected of each and every build and as employees it gives us the flexibility to move them around depending on the nature and timing of the project.” Last year, the business received accolades from within the Totalspan network of companies in the form of being named winners of the Commercial Building of the Year Award, something Diane says everyone is very proud of. It’s just one of several awards garnered over recent years. “This project involved constructing a truck inspection station not far from us here. It involved tilt slap concrete with a Totalspan building and includes a massive pit for servicing trucks. Construction went very well and it was a little bit out of the box for us.” Looking ahead Diane says 2024 has got off to a positive start with projects booked ahead. With the political arena now settled, following the protracted election process, she says people are feeling more certain about making enquiries. She is concerned about the sky-rocketing rise in cost of materials and hopes that legislation will soon bring some sense of containment to this problem for all involved in the construction sector. With a focus and expertise on Design & Build, Diane says part of the service is to help clients find the best design possible to work within budgets. “It’s very important we ask the right questions when we begin to talk about design wishes, with the aim to ensure our clients get the very best build outcome.” Totalspan East Waikato extends across an area which includes South Waikato, Matamata and Piako district to just past Tokoroa, through to the edge of Morrinsville. 4 Comber Street, Matamata FOR ALL YOUR CUSTOM MADE FLASHINGS WAIKATO MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR 2021
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