| 73 T T Sue Russell Consenting model ‘not sustainable’ Golden Homes Bay of Plenty has four house and land packages in Stage 2 of Rotorua’s Wharenui Rise subdivision. Golden Homes - Bay of Plenty: Wharenui Rise DEVELOPMENT Tony Heywood leads the team at Golden Homes Bay of Plenty. He’s been the company’s Sales Consultant nine years now and describes the current business climate as subdued. In his role he designs and sells houses, taking care of every step along the way through to gaining building consent at which point the project is turned over to a dedicated Project Manager. “We’re a very flexible company in terms of our offering to clients. We build on our own land, or land already owned by our clients, tailoring the design to match the site,” Tony says. Golden Homes builds using steel framing, a system Tony says, that offers many benefits to the build process and for home owners alike. “Steel framing is absolutely true. It doesn’t warp crack or twist like traditional timber framing. It also can not be impacted by moisture nor harbour mould.” Golden Homes Bay of Plenty has four house and land packages in Stage 2 of Rotorua’s Wharenui Rise, a subdivision Tony describes as in a very nice situation and of a high standard. “It’s the only decent new subdivision that’s been developed in the city for upward of 40 years. There’s year’s of building potential ahead in the subdivision and it is great to see good new residential work happening for Rotorua.” Asked about current work on the books, when Business North spoke with Tony late March, he said they have just handed over four builds in Matamata Maea Fields, with another build underway there, and have more H&L packages available. They have a completed homes for sale ready to move into now, in The Lakes, Tauranga, and Golden Sands Papamoa, along with another currently under construction. Tony is personally building a high spec architectural “Forever Home” with Golden Homes locally in Ohauiti, Tauranga. The attitude and approach Golden Homes Bay of Plenty take with each client is very much ‘no one size fits all’. Tony says, in practical terms this means sitting down and talking in depth with clients about what the priorities are for their home, then tailoring floorplan and specifications accordingly. “The biggest differential between us and other group housing businesses is that what we quote as a price to clients is absolutely the ‘walk-in’ price, with all internal and external elements completed to specification including the fencing, landscaping, paths, patios, driveways and council consents, and on the inside all your kitchen, appliances, floor coverings and even you blinds are all included.” Tony has a great deal to say about rising costs impacting the sector, stating that council charges, particularly consent fees have risen astronomically since he began in building here in Tauranga especially. “When I started, a consent fee from Council was about $10,000, now it is $50,000 plus and in the past 2 ½ years it has basically doubled.” Part of the problem, he says, is council’s reluctance to spread the burden of establishing and maintaining necessary infrastructure on ratepayers; instead choosing to burden land developers and builders through consenting fees. He describes the model as broken, narrow-minded and not sustainable. “The other thing that has happened is that the array of inspections council undertakes during the course of a build have markedly increased in price, as well adding to the overall cost increases” All Builders, and ultimately the home owner are facing the same cost increases to produce a new build with implementing the new Government H1 insulation standards which, Tony says, has added another $30,000-$40,000 per house, to meet code. “I am building a 235m2 house for myself and my windows and doors have gone up $20,000 from the previous standard double glazing to the new Full Thermally Broken windows and doors required to meet the H1 code, and this is just one item. Sector-wide Tony believes that New Zealand is going to lose many of the smaller building companies, as work has significantly slowed due just too many increases in external costs, including the cost to borrow money, that business owners have no ability to control. “We’re fortunate that in the case of Golden Homes, there’s been very good financial stewardship by the owners for tight times such as this.” Golden Homes Bay of Plenty has the license to build from Waihi Beach in the north, to Whakatane in the east and across to Rotorua. It’s a nimble company, with a small team of Sales, administration/support people, including project manager and health and safety personnel. Steve and Julie, the owners/ directors, have been doing this for more than 20 years, and are actively involved on the day to day running of the Business. Tony Says, the upside to current cost challenges is an upward movement in the market, and confidence building from prospective clients, which will have a flow on effect later in the year. “We believe growth is forecast for later 2024 through 2025, as New Zealand adjusts to the new norm.” A show-home is available for inspection at 6 Farrier St, Terrace Views, Papamoa, and now 20 Rehua Way Golden Sands, it is best to contact Tony directly for an appointment time. “Steel framing is absolutely true. It doesn’t warp crack or twist like traditional timber framing.” For All Drainage Requirements PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH GOLDEN HOMES Contact us for Free Quote at Reasonable Rates 0274 755 147 acdrainage@xtra.co.nz Visit our Showroom Unit 3, 18 Aerodrome Rd, Mt Maunganui 0800 nzwardrobes (0800 699 273) sales@nzwardrobes.co.nz | www.nzwardrobes.co.nz Specialising in wardrobe organiser systems and shelving solutions for both new and existing homes. Multi-unit dwellings, apartments, retirement homes. 0508 BRADNAMS (272 362) bradnams.co.nz Bradnam’s Rotorua supporting Golden Homes Tauranga with their joinery requirements
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