94 | Ashwood Construction BUILDING Watering hole with a difference The ‘bunker bar’, dug into a hill at Te Arai Links Golf Course T T Sue Russell Kaiwaka-based builder Lee Branford has been in the construction business since he finished school and for several years contracted his skills to another builder when he returned from working in the UK. He established Ashwood Construction in 2017 and says the journey has had its ups and downs but he’s pleased with its current situation and reputation the business has gained. “At one stage I worked with upward of 10 subbies but these days we’re a team of four,” Lee says. When the cyclone wrecked havoc up north Lee says he came through relatively well compared with many in the district, some of who are still waiting to have the necessary Council sign-off to rebuild or repair their damaged homes. When Business North spoke with Lee at the start of the year work was underway on a new build in Kaiwaka and the crew had just completed a rather unusual project at Te Arai Links golf course. The build involved digging into a hill on the course to create a ‘bunker-bar’, a project involving working with signifiant amounts of concrete. “It’s a really neat space, only 140m2 but it has everything in it for a watering-hole on the course. We still have other projects ahead at Te Arai Links.” Looking ahead Lee says he’s in the process of quoting off plans for a 700m2 home. “That’s going to be an amazing build when we get underway.” Ashwood Construction offers an array of building services, from complete new builds from the foundations up through to renovations and rebuilds as well as outdoor decking, fencing, landscaping and with popular Mangawhai just 20 minutes away Lee says the region is in a positive situation in terms of future work. “I try not to go any further south than Wellsford and I have a worker who lives in Whangaparaoa so he does work for us around that area.” Another project Lee remembers enjoying the restoration of the Waipu bank, a catergory 2 listed Heritage building of historic and cultural significance. “Working with the original joinery was a highlight and the owner invested a lot into restoring it in a very fitting way.” One of the team is undertaking a building apprenticeship and Lee says it can be challenging to find young people with the right work ethic needed to be a successful builder. “I’m 33 years old and there’s a big gap of people younger than me who know what they are doing and have the drive to learn and work hard. It’s a real shame that so many young people at school don’t seem to carry a will to work hard. There’s a huge gap of knowledgeable builders between 25 to my age.” He also thinks that the apprenticeship pathway should come at no cost for people from school leaving age up to, say 21. “In England it is free up to 20 years of age and it just takes the burden of cost off the individual or the person employing him or her.” Lee is hoping that as demand for his services grows he will get to the situation of having two teams, each led by a qualified and experienced builder and each with apprentices in training. “I’m at the point where I want to grow but there has to be enough ongoing work to justify taking another staff member on.” Serving Auckland, Mangawhai and Kaiwaka The best solutions for all your electrical needs 021 151 3071 www.konnectelectrical.co.nz Proudly supporting Ashwood Construction • Metal Roofing • Metal Cladding • Metal Tiles • Metal Guttering • Metal Spouting • Steel Purlins • Girts & Tophats • Metal Fencing • PV Solar Solutions • Metal Insulated Panels • Composite Steel Flooring P: 09 470 0870 E: sales.whangarei@metalcraftroofing.co.nz A: 42-44 Rewa Rewa Road, Whangarei www.metalcraftgroup.co.nz
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