76 | Increasing focus on commercial Kelvin Lalich Builders already completes about 75% of Morrinsville’s commercial builds. Kelvin Lalich Builders T T Karen Phelps BUILDING Despite a tightening residential build market Kelvin Lalich Builders’ workload is steady due to the diverse types of projects the company can tackle. Another key factor is its longevity and experience in traversing various market conditions, says company office and health and safety manager Vanessa Lalich. The well-established Morrinsville based company has been in business for more than 35 years. Established by Vanessa’s father Kelvin, it is now being run by the next generation: Vanessa, construction manager Dylan Comer who has worked there for over 20 years and Jim Keith, general manager and quantity surveyor based in the South Island office. The trio also credits Vanessa’s brother Scott in the development of the business to its present state. Scott was a qualified builder who worked at Kelvin Lalich Builders for many years and was going to take over the business eventually but then died in a tragic hang gliding accident in 2018. Vanessa says that since she, Dylan and Jim took over the running of the business about 12 months ago it has been “business as usual”. The focus is increasingly on commercial work due to the slow down in the residential build market. Kelvin Lalich Builders already completes about 75% of Morrinsville’s commercial builds and growing with an upcoming car wash and grooming bay project in the pipeline. The company works for clients such as Te Kohanga Reo Trust, building early childcare centres in locations on the East Cape and around the Waikato district. A couple of similar projects are coming up in Hastings for this client including a rebuild of a kindergarten that had flood damage. The company is also heavily focused on education projects for Te Tahuhu o te Mātauranga The Ministry of Education, and for a number of other commercial clients. There are also a variety of projects for Metlifecare. One has just finished at Forest Lake in Hamilton where Kelvin Lalich Builders renovated nine units and also reclad them with a product called Nu-Wall. In Cambridge it has been completing the re-roofing and internal renovations of five units for Metlifecare, which are on a very strict timeline. Vanessa says Kelvin Lalich Builders relies on its long-standing dedicated sub-contractors to maintain tight schedules and ensure client satisfaction. Residential projects are still on the horizon with a new 560sqm architectural build with a heart shaped pool at Waihi Beach and a 400sqm house in Te Awamutu made from polystyrene blocks. Vanessa says the team has previously built a round house out of this product in Ngāhinapōuri demonstrating its ability to think outside the square and tackle new challenges. Vanessa says that client loyalty is regularly seen including recently a $1.3 million renovation on a client’s home that Kelvin and Dylan originally built over 20 years ago at Waihi Beach. “There is a real feeling of pride having clients come back after so long and wanting additions, renovations or new builds. It’s clearly a sign of the respect they have for Kelvin and the trust people have in him and our business.” One change Vanessa is heralding is an ever-greater focus on health and safety, now a core value for Kelvin Lalich Builders’ staff and subcontractors alike. She is also undertaking a Business Management Diploma to add more value to the business. A team member in the South Island office is also training to be a certified colour consultant so Kelvin Lalich Builders can offer this service to clients along with the design and build services it already offers. The North Island team comprises 15 builders including six apprentices and two office staff, while the South Island team of five includes quantity surveyors and designers. Although Kelvin is attempting to retire, he is still involved in the business as needed, lending his many years of expertise to the wider team. Vanessa says that as the business cements its position in the new era of leadership, the company will continue to build upon its legacy of operating with honesty, transparency and most of all always putting clients first. “Kelvin Lalich Builders will remain steadfast in its motto: ‘Build Your Future with Pride’.” 1699 PIAKO ROAD MORRINSVILLE 3372 METAL ROOFING NEW ROOFING RE-ROOFING COMMERCIAL DOMESTIC TIM ARMSTRONG 027 592 3234 barlowroofing@xtra.co.nz WAIKATO MASTER PLUMBER OF THE YEAR 2021 We are proud to support Kelvin Lalich Builders
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