Business North July / August 2021

96 | BUILDING D-Build Sue Russell D eon Neville established Waiuku-based, D-Build in 2007, admittedly not the best of timing because of the economic climate at the time. Back then it started with just Deon and a mate helping out, slowly over ensuing years the company has grown to a team of nine. “We were 50:50 renovations/alterations to new houses at outset but now we are mainly new homes with the odd reno thrown in the mix,” Deon explains. Deon has five apprentices ranging in age from 19 to 38 and he thinks the BCITO ap- prentice training scheme works very well. “They have evolved as well. When I did my time there used to be so much paper-work to get through but now it is much simpler and user-friendly. “A trainee advisor comes out every few months to check on progress and although my tradesmen have a lot of input on teaching these guys, I try to be on the tools as much as possible to pass on my skills and knowledge.” Deon thinks that the most important attrib- ute for those wishing to become builders is to have the right attitude and to be a good team player. “It’s essential they can work in with others and that they want to work.” Fortunately when the Covid lockdown swept through, Deon and the team were able to wrap and secure the two homes they were working on at the time to protect the structure and floor. A major project in the form of a multi-villa build has given Deon and the team a substan- tial amount of ongoing work. Castaway Villas, at Karioitahi Road, Waiuku, is extending with the addition of 100 freehold title villas on a 10ha coastal site. In keeping with the vision of blending the development into the outstandingly beautiful terrain, access to each villa will be by way of walking tracks and electric buggy lanes. The two and three bedroom villas all have a similar look, with a curved roof mirroring the hill-top landscape. D-Build has been awarded the contract to build these villas and Deon says it’s a great op- portunity. “I have put in a lot of ground work to now gain some time back to concentrate on building these villas efficiently and it’s now coming together.” Villas project a ‘great opportunity’ D-Build has been awarded the contract to build multiple villas on a coastal site at Waiuku. Talk to us today, the feature profile experts Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz PROFILE YOUR PROJECT... These mid to high-end villas are being pre-sold and when Business North spoke with Deon works were underway for Villas 9 and 10. Deon says the villas have been carefully designed to maximise a sense of size and the view out to the sea. “They definitely present their challenges! Builders generally don’t like working with curves but with planning between architects to steel fabricators to beam manufacturers to pre-nail framing, creating the curve in the roof has become easier than it looks!” Stages 1 – 6 involves construction of 50 new villas. Once work is underway on stages 7 – 11, new support facilities will be added. Three colour-ways are available, all earthy tones, in keeping with the environment. “It will be a lovely community when it’s completed.” While the bulk of the team are focusing on work at Castaway Villas, Deon says a couple of the guys are working on other projects. “I’m fortunate with the team I have to be able to do this. “It means we can still respond to other work opportunities that present in our area and service our loyal customers.” A large renovation in Drury is just coming to an end and another new build, on the outskirts of Waiuku is on the books to get underway July/August with another major alteration in the pipe-line. And while there have not been a lot of new sub-divisions developed locally, Deon says there is a large development getting under- way at the moment which will invigorate the local building industry even more! “I’m happy to concentrate on this area. We cover the whole of Franklin but I have no desire in driving on the motorway to get to a job!” WAIUKU Mitre10 Waiuku - Proudly Supporting Dbuild with the Castaways Development CARPET ∙ VINYL ∙ LAMINATE & MORE ∙ Wholesale Direct ∙ In-Home Sample Service ∙ Free Measure & Quote ∙ Trusted local family business for over 30 years 0508 243 5667 | www.ciflooring.co.nz