102 | Team at core of success JRT Builders Rotorua specialises in renovations and alterations. BUILDING JRT Builders Rotorua T T Kelly Deeks Higgs Building Co The many benefits of sustainable building T T Lindy Andrews For JRT Builders Rotorua, business is a partnership between the company, its clients, and its trusted subcontractors and suppliers, who all work together to ensure smooth flowing projects, realistic pricing, and high-quality results that everyone involved can be proud of. Specialists in renovations and alterations, JRT Builders Rotorua was started in 2016 by Julian Thompson. With his dad in the concrete industry, Julian has been around the construction industry all his life and followed his passion into a carpentry apprenticeship before joining the Royal New Zealand Navy. Coming out of the navy, Julian set off on his OE in England, and while he was building in London he heard of a builder back home needing a hand for a few weeks. “I ended up working with him for 12 years until he retired,” Julian says. “Then like every builder dreams of, I wanted to build my own house. People saw me doing it and the work started coming in.” Julian is still hugely appreciative of those who gave him a chance to work in the early days, when he took everything on board and adopted a culture of continuous improveHiggs Building Co’s vision is for every Kiwi to live in a high-performance home, believing it’s better for our people and our environment. The company’s new, four-bedroom show home at 1 Whakahaumako Road, on the outskirts of Cambridge, demonstrates the considerable advantages of building a high-performance home. “Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are a proven, prefabricated building system creating high-quality, energy-efficient, sustainable homes that can be built more quickly than homes built with traditional timber framing,” says managing director Shaun Higgins. Higgs Building Co uses Formance SIPS panels, which have exceptional thermal and acoustic qualities. For homeowners, that means a house that uses less energy and is quieter. The panels, which are constructed by sandwiching 100% recyclable polystyrene between sustainably sourced oriented strandboard (OSB), also have a pleasingly low carbon footprint. ment. His military training has also helped him master some of the leadership aspects of business ownership. “Punctuality is a huge thing in the navy. You’ve also got to fit in, you’ve got to be able to laugh at yourself, and you’ve got to be committed to team work and getting the job done.” As a business owner, Julian leads his team of four by example, and gives them a work environment they can flourish in. He pays well, gives the team good vehicles, and every year, as well as their four weeks holiday, he takes them all away with their families to his own family baches, where they do a couple of days building work and take the rest of the week off, boating, fishing, diving, and building their camaraderie. “I guess they’re pretty lucky, but they also work very hard. We all work hard together as a team, so if I can give them a good environment to work in, we can enjoy it, have pride in ourselves and pride in our work.” JRT Builders Rotorua enjoys a significant amount of repeat business and new business via word-of-mouth. Julian knows who is responsible for his company’s great reputation. “I tell my guys all the time ‘we got this job because of you’.” “We’ve been using SIPS in our homes for two-and-a-half to three years now,” says Shaun, who qualified as a certified passive house tradesman. “Through my learnings I came across SIPS, which I believe are the most efficient way to include passive design into my building methods. We like to think our high-performance SIPs Homes strike a balance between design, performance and overall cost,” says Shaun Combining Formance panels with APL Centrafix windows and doors, BRANZ Appraised and Codemark Certified, the Centrafix installation method recesses the window or door inside the building wall, minimising thermal loss and keeping all insulation elements flush. Winter or summer, the Whakahaumako Rd show home maintains an even temperature with no draughts, while displaying exceptionally clean lines and good looks. Formance panels also offer design flexibility rivalling that of traditional timber framing. “The house has high-vaulted ceilings,” Shaun says. “There are no roof trusses, so we utilised the loft space to create a second storey.” Contact us proud to support jrt builders rotorua Render facade systems Licensed Applicator The paint and coatings on the exterior of your homes are the most important barrier you have against water penetration and destruction. LET US MAINTAIN YOUR HOME A well maintained house will last longer than a house that is left to deteriorate in the elements. • FULL INSPECTION SERVICE • WATER BLASTING SERVICE • REPAIR SERVICE • INTERIOR PAINTING • REPAINTING SERVICE • FULL SUPPLY SERVICE • CONSULTANCY SERVICE 1129a Whatawhata rd, RD5, Hamilton 0275 938 967 jason@glamacote.co.nz Proud to provide inside and outside plaster/painting maintenance for Higgs Building Co Ltd NEW / RE ROOFS | CLADDING | REPAIRS SPOUTING | FASCIA / FLASHINGS Over 18 Years of Experience in Residential & Commercial jonny@leveluproofing.co.nz www.leveluproofing.co.nz
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