98 | BUILDING T&K Services T T Richard Loader Quality builds with the personal touch T&K Services now covers a wide range of projects from new builds and builds of multi-storey homes, to complex reclads to renovations. For most people, building their new home is not just a major financial investment, possibly the biggest they will ever make, but also a very significant emotional investment, and that is something Tauranga based residential builder T&K Services takes to heart. T&K Services Ltd is owned and operated by Truan and Karla Pennell, and supported by a team of two builders, including an apprentice, along with a subcontractor called upon as required. “Over the years we’ve had plenty of opportunities to get a lot bigger in terms of our team, but I’ve deliberately kept the business quite small to keep it more personal with both our clients and our team members,” says Truan. “I would like to think our success has been about the personalised aspect of what we do which reflects the high finishing that we achieve. It has also been about having a great team who play a key role in any build project. “My primary focus is about the client being happy. I want to be able to say ‘hello’ to a client on the street and have a good catch up, rather than for both of us to avoid each other.” While T&K Services now covers a wide range of projects from new builds and builds of muti-storey homes, to complex reclads to renovations, its humble beginnings commenced twenty years ago doing those smaller jobs right down to hanging a picture on the wall. “The small jobs continue to be just as valuable to us as the big jobs. The big jobs give is the consistency of work, while the small jobs are what we can fit in between the bigger jobs when there is a hold up or gap between projects, and keeps the team busy throughout the year.” Keeping it local, most of T&K Services projects, whether big or small, are in Tauranga, with some stretching into Mount Maunganui. While there is the occasional commercial project for an existing client, most projects are residential, gained either through word of mouth or repeat business. “Every new build that we do has always been a one-off home, and typically outside of the square in terms of its design. Most clients will come to us with plans that have already been drawn up, so we do work alongside a broad spectrum of architects and designers. But if a client comes to us first with an idea of what they want to do, we encourage them to visit one of our favourite designers. An important aspect of what we do is that we work from the ground up on each project, so from that point of view we specialise in the complete construction.” Encouraging their clients to be part of the total build experience is very much part of that personal journey that Truan and Karla are so passionate about. “They can even be on the job swinging the hammer if they wish,” says Truan. “Most of our clients have been heavily invested emotionally from the beginning and they like to be part of the process. We have had clients who have been on the job every single day, looking at the job, walking around the job, talking about the job, and getting the detail right. It’s just treating people how I would like to be treated; that’s how I feel about it.” T&K Services has recently been awarded the contract for a bespoke residential project in Whakamarama Road, involving a substantial and elaborate two-bedroom home, along with a two-storey four-bay garage with an upper-level living area and a bedroom. “That has been a very long-term project for the client in terms of design, and something they have been dreaming about for a number of years. “Over the years we have done maintenance work for the clients and there would often be a conversation around one day building this house, and they would show me some concept drawings and ask my opinion. “It’s pretty awesome now to be getting to a stage where we can actually put a spade in the ground. So, it’s very personal for me because the clients are so heavily invested with how it will look at the end.” A1 EXTERIORS BAY OF PLENTY • Painting • Panels • Bricks • Plastering • Renovations a1bricklayers@gmail.com 021 768 656 • SCAFFOLDING • ROOF EDGE PROTECTION • SHRINKWRAPS • SAFETY NETS • SITE FENCING 07 570 3040 OR 021 680 555 PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH TRUAN, KARLA AND THE TEAM AT T&K SERVICES safeplank.co.nz Fisher Windows Bay of Plenty is proudly locally owned and operated. Come talk to our experienced team to discuss our top quality joinery for your home. 07 543 5052 • www.fisherwindowsbop.co.nz WI NDOWS B AY O F P L E N T Y ®
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