74 | “Basically this wonderful couple had over the years developed programs and modified their original buildings at their own cost in order to provide support for more people.” BUILDING Advance Build: Hope House Rehabilitation Giving back to the local community Sue Russell Far North maunfactured home building business, Advance Build, has been in operation since establishing in 2008. While the construction factory is located in Awanui, near Kaitaia, the company has display homes in Kerikeri, Whangarei and Warkworth. Advance Build has also just recently opened a brand new production facility in Waipapa, Kerikeri. Director and Production Manager, Joseph Simpkin has been with Advance Build since 2014 and over the past seven years he says output has substantially increased. Advance Build manufactures affordable, quality homes, where clients have input into getting just the design they want. Joseph says having control over all aspects of the build process at its purpose built site is a real benefit that Advance Build passes on to its home-owners. “It means we can work extremely efficiently on several projects at the one time. Weather impact is mitigated and staff are constantly engaged in the building process. Advance Build supplies homes from Auckland north and today the company engages a team of 50 people, across management, sales and construction. Every so often the company gets involved in some unique projects that come knocking on their door. Such is the case with the Hope House Rehabilitation Centre in Ngataki, created out of the visions of methaphetamine and alcohol rehab by support couple Faye and Tim Murray, who received funding from a targeted government resource to curb methamphetamine addiction through the Provincial Growth Fund. The grant would allow the couple to increase the number of individual cabins from the current 7 to 10 and to build an ablution block, communal spaces and associated facilities for clients who stay on site for upward of six months. The couple has been running Hope House since 2013 and received a visit from Provincial Growth Fund staff prior to the first COVID lockdown. “Basically this wonderful couple had over the years developed programs and modified their original buildings at their own cost in order to provide support for more people,” Joseph explains. One of the conditions of receiving the grant was that all the existing buildings were to be brought up to consenting standards. “We did a site visit and they asked for our input, so we’ve been involved in the design right from the word go. “This is one of the services we offer because we know what materials and designs work best for building and transporting.” Advance Build is creating all the various spaces for the centre, including a meeting/ teaching room, kitchen/laundry facilities, ablution block, accommodation and office space. Faye Murray describes Advance Build as an absolutely fantastic company to work for and says she is looking forward to completion of this wonderful community resource. And like so many companies, COVID has impacted significantly at times, however Joseph says they managed to get through. “At one stage we had 11 of our 24 factory staff away, but at any one time, we still had sufficient numbers on the ground who could move from one build to another to keep projects moving forward.” However it’s in the procurement and storage of material for their builds that the greatest pressure has arisen. Material prices as well as lead times have increased significantly so this takes a lot more planning to keep production on track. “Because we offer plenty of choice to create bespoke designs from our set plans, our clients can really personalise the home. We’re here to help them and advise what can work best to meet their wishes.” Joseph says Advance Build is committed to contributing to the local community and more recently also donated thousands of dollars to support the plight of children caught up in the conflict in Ukraine. “Certainly in the past year we have been flooded with enquiries from prospective customers. We hold a strong place in the local residential building scene and invest heavily in the region through outsourcing to local tradespeople.”
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