80 | Byrne Homes: Weiti Bay Making a mark at Weiti Bay Byrne Homes has built four homes at the Weiti Bay development. Rachel Graham BUILDING Joe Byrne says for him one of the keys to a really successful build is when the client is engaged in the process and is keen to work with the builders on what they want for their home. He says that was the case with one of their first jobs on the Weiti Bay development on Auckland’s North Shore. “They were super awesome clients,” says Joe. “It was just one of those builds where they were very engaged with us. It can make such a difference when people are engaged, take time and be involved in the process.” He says the project turned out extremely well and all the budget targets were hit. Joe Byrne set up Byrne Homes eight years ago. A builder himself he likes to work with clients directly and get out on site as much as possible. At the Weiti Bay development Byrne Homes have completed four house builds and are about to finish their fifth. Weiti Bay is on the eastern coastline of Auckland’s North Shore, about 30 kilometres from Auckland’s CBD. The gated community spans around 2100 acres of rolling hillside, valleys, native bush and coastal land. It also has direct access to a beach via reserve land. Joe says it is a great estate, which has been well put together. “There are unimpeded views of the coast and bush from every site,” says Joe. “It’s been designed very specifically to maintain and manage those views. There 150 sites, but it is actually big enough to probably hold 1000. There’s lots of reserve area and shared common space. So, it will always be a really green zone.” Builds on the site go through a design committee, a process Byrne Homes are very familiar with and can walk new owners through. Another way Byrne Homes can help clients through the building process on any project is with their measured estimate service. Joe says his company looks at building plans every day, while most clients don’t realise which aspects will pile on the costs or where simple cost savings could be made. “Essentially, we look at what’s been designed and how can we make it work for a budget.” He says the process works best when people come to them at the concept drawing stage, so they can start to get a sense of the costs they will be expecting. “The worst thing is when people come to us and they’ve got a dream set of plans, and we do a measured estimate at that late stage, and people realize - I’ve actually got to go back to the drawing board, because I can’t afford this.” If it’s not at those early stages, the Byrne team can still help to try and rein in the costs with value engineering. “Essentially, we look at what’s been designed and how can we make it work for a budget. For example, we might suggest things like not having a four metre high ceiling. Yes it’s really nice to have, but it’s probably not going to contribute to your life that much and it’s affecting your budget.” As well as single dwelling properties Byrne Homes has also been involved in many lowrise apartments and terraced housing. Byrne Homes has the experience to be able to guide clients from pre-design through to project completion. Joe says they can help maximise the potential of the site, while carefully considering the needs of prospective purchasers and deliver quality multi-unit homes.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=