| 105 T T Hugh de Lacy Transforming the look of Maraetai Statesman Homes has carved out a niche in Maraetai by replacing baches with high-end architectural homes. Statesman Homes BUILDING Todd Michell’s coastal hometown of Maraetai has a population of only 2600, but he and his Statesman Homes design-and-build company have carved out a niche there by replacing baches with high-end architectural homes. Maraetai is on the Pohutukawa Coast, 25m east of Auckland, and is noted for its beaches and rural outlook, which are attracting a steady stream of clients eager to make their permanent homes there. And Statesman Homes delivers the full package for them, from managing the subcontractors demolishing the 1960s’-era baches on many of the properties, to the delivery of the homes. The process is entirely in-house, from Todd digitally developing the client’s concept plans, managing the consent applications and engineering requirements, through to completing the consenting process and finally performing the actual build with his staff of four tradespeople and two apprentices. “Delivering the whole package gives us a lot of control over the process, and that allows us to focus on quality, and establish ourselves as builders of high-end homes,” Todd says. “Homes are improving continuously in the middle to upper end of the residential market because clients want a better-quality product, and they’re prepared to pay for a quality builder who’s not trying to rush the job or cut corners.” Todd has been a builder for 40 years, finishing his carpentry apprenticeship with a Pukekohe company at the age of 20, and going on to work for the same company for 15 years. A keen fisherman, he then found himself managing the fishing department of an Auckland sports shop that his parents had bought. But the call of the tools was too strong, and he returned to building after a few years, and in 2004 started out with two staff on his own company, DTM Builders – after his initials – changing the name three years later to Statesman Homes, which he thought had a better ring to it. The company initially launched into development-block work in eastern Auckland, but then switched focus into speculative building: Todd would buy a section, sub-divide it and build two or three spec houses on each site and market them himself. In response to changing client requirements, Todd and Statesman Homes moved out of group housing and into the design-and-build sector, with a particular eye on architecturally designed projects in the $3 million range. Todd generally has Statesman Homes working on two new houses at a time, and they tend to be projects such as the 460sqm four-bedroom home – a two-level openplan architectural home with a large garage downstairs – that he is currently building in Maraetai. A recent completion of another large property was the five-bedroom, 450sqm home on a lifestyle block at nearby Clevedon, which took 18 months to build. The fact that the company does everything in-house – bar the demolition of the old baches – is a point of difference for Statesman Homes that offers great reassurance to his clients, Todd says. “Also, I’m a local, so they know where to find me.” • We offer complete packages, fully managed from design stage to completion • Our clients needs are our number one focus • Small, competent team ensures quality control • Fully licenced building practitioner with over 35 years experience • Solid reputation for service and communication creates a stress free experience for our clients • Superior resale values are achieved for our clients due to bespoke custom builds • Attention to detail, and superior craftmanship is at the forefront of all our projects ‘Express your individuality... make a statement with Statesman Homes’ 021 525 689 statesmanhomes@xtra.co.nz GET IN TOUCH FOR ALLYOUR PLUMBING NEEDS. Dan Blake CERTIFIED PLUMBER blakeplumbing.nz 022 653 1437 | dan@blakeplumbing.co.nz
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