Business North December / January 2021

8 | Diverse company finds plenty of demand REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Far North - Bayside Services / Coastal Homes Sue Russell Community focus a big part of firm’s ongoing success Karen Phelps W hen Kellie Albert from Bayside Services (formerly Bayside Painting) was facing the uncertainty of what COVID would mean for business, she seized an opportunity to look closely at the business she shares with her husband Tux. “Post-Covid lockdown we heard about the provincial growth fund in this region and touched base with them. We went through a warrant of fitness for the business and we came up trying to mitigate the potential ef- fects of Covid to our business, that’s when we decided to broaden the name of the company to Bayside Services,” Kellie explains. Kellie and Tux established Bayside Painting in August 2019. Kellie says having a business space which is not at home is another step forward. “It means we have a healthy separation from work and home life and it just feels more professional.” Through the scheme the couple also took on a new apprentice working through his BCI- TO training, adding to the existing apprentice and a sub-contractor. As the country moved down through alert levels 3 then 2, building companies had time to schedule sub-contractors on to sites and Kellie says this actually worked very well. “Very often, in normal circumstances you have a whole bunch of different trades people on site at the same time and it can become very difficult to get the work done efficiently. It meant that the team had their own space and time to do their work uninterrupted.” With three young children and responsible for the businesses administration Kellie has to be really organised at juggling time and roles, but she says as word gets out about the quali- N orthland-based construction company Coastal Homes prides itself on being a community focused business, seeking to bring benefit to the local region on multiple levels. The business is part of the Gateway programme, which has seen a number of stu- dents come to the business to start to learn the trade. Some have then progressed on to ap- prenticeships with Coastal Homes and the company’s apprentice scheme has seen two apprentices winning the Northland Appren- tice of the Year and five of apprentices win the State Apprenticeship Scheme. Some have even gone on to establish their own successful businesses, says Coastal Homes operations manager Richard Fisher. Far from seeing rival companies set up as a threat it is something Coastal Homes actually encourages to create more work in the North- land region, he says. Other ways that Coastal Homes gives back are to utilise the services of local trades and contractors where possible and to sponsor local teams and clubs. “It’s a small community here so it’s impor- tant to give something back. We have even taken on a couple more apprentices since Covid-19 hit and are now training four,” he says. And there is plenty of building work taking place as more people are moving to North- land. Coastal Homes has a number of projects on the go all around the region. Coastal Homes was started by local Glen Bradbury, who was raised in Doubtless Bay where the company is based, and had its beginnings in 1996. The company takes on all types of build- ing projects including new residential and commercial builds, major renovations and re-modelling, retaining walls, landscaping and decks. It can take care of everything including site works - section development, earthworks, hole drilling, back hoeing etc. people can bring their own plans, choose from the range of Coastal Homes plans (which can be modified to suit requirements) or undertake a complete design and build for something truly unique. Coastal Homes is also busy developing a new show home at 3 Walters Way where the company’s offices and workshop are based. Richard says the 114 square metre show home, based on the company’s Kaki plan, will showcase different claddings, products and fittings and will even have an accessible subfloor and foundation for people to look at. Construction is due to start after Christmas and the show home will open in mid 2021. “It is a modern three bedroom home which is perfect for a couple or small family. The latest designs and systems have been installed, giving people a sense of the options available for them to choose from with their own new home build from Coastal Homes,” he explains. Coastal Homes currently has five projects on the go including finishing a stunning million dollar plus home overlooking Doubtless Bay. As a Registered Master Builder, Coastal Homes can offer the Master Build guarantee. The company builds from Kerikeri to Kaitaia and further afield depending on the project. ty of their work and the range of services they offer, it is becoming more manageable. And the Far North, like many other regions not too far from Greater Auckland, is expe- riencing a huge amount of building activity particularly in the residential sector as people post-Covid assess where and how they want to live. “We are in a relatively new subdivision and since lockdown is over there are only three sections left to buy.” Bayside Services offers a full range of painting services to the residential and commercial sectors, including water-blasting and house-washing. “We are particularly keen to promote the water-blasting service as an essential way to get the longest possible life out of your paint-work and to save money for our customers long-term.” On any given day the projects taken can be anywhere from Kerikeri to Kaitaia but the main focus areas are Whangarei, Paihia, Rus- sell and Doubtless Bay. Kellie says that though COVID brought its fair share of fear into the equation, having only just set up business a few months earlier, it caused her and Tux to reflect on what they really needed to cement well now. “Eventually Tux will step back from painting and work more on the business but that is always a long transition time, but with the amount of work growing in this region, I’m confident that Bayside Services will grow from strength to strength.” Bayside Services offers a full range of painting services to the residential and commercial sectors, including water-blasting and house-washing. “It’s a small community here so it’s important to give something back. We have even taken on a couple more apprentices since Covid-19 hit and are now training four.” PROUD SUPPLIERS TO COASTAL HOMES LTD LOCALS SUPPORTING LOCALS NZ MADE WHERE POSSIBLE sales@fnitm.co.nz www.farnorthitm.co.nz PROUD SUPPLIERS TO COASTAL HOMES “We are in a relatively new subdivision and since lockdown is over there are only three sections left to buy.”