82 | Not just garage builders Versatile is focussed on the medium to smaller home market, considering the trend toward smaller section sizes. Versatile Homes & Buildings - Hamilton: Aurora Subdivision BUILDING Though not a builder by trade, Ray Wallis, from Hamilton’s Versatile Homes admits to being a ‘jack of all trades’. He’s owned the Versatile licence for this area six years now and says the company’s success is down to engaging with a great team of experts. Asked what drew him to Versatile, Ray answers that after 40 years, the Brand has established a strong reputation. “The Brand, in its early days, was more about garages and buildings, than it was about homes and I could see a real opportunity to push that element of the offering. I’m happy to see we’re gaining a considerable market share, given the quality and cost-effectiveness of our builds,” Ray explains. Ray has entered homes in the prestigious Master Builders Awards in 2020, 2022 and 2023, winning a gold award, a silver and gold regional category award/life style award respectively. A build at Rangatahi, Raglan was completed just after this year’s event cut-off. Ray says introducing more project management, process documentation, quality inspections and systems to support their team of chosen builders has all helped shift the business up a gear. “We have now a dedicated project manager running that side of the business, however we all cross-over into each other’s fields for more support. More eyes looking at the build, can only serve to enhance client outcomes.” Sub-contractors have been very carefully chosen, displaying great pride in their contribution to the overall build, while Rose and Ruby are engaged to provide interior design services. A WhatsApp group is created between the client, the builder, the interior designer, with constant uploads of progress photos and comments shared. T T Sue Russell “It’s a brilliant way to keep everyone absolutely up to speed with where a build is at and it means that any one can make suggestions along the way and input their thoughts.” In Aurora Subdivision in Peacocke, in Hamilton’s south-west quarter, Versatile Homes have bought two sections in Oralee Terrace. Ray is excited about this next development as one of the homes will become Versatile Homes’ show-home. “The project has been signed off by Council and we’re just doing a couple of tweaks to it. It’s going to very nicely display the standard of craftsmanship we’re capable of. It’s a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 168m2 home with vaulted ceilings to give that sense of space.” To be built at 27 Oralee Tce the home’s exterior is a nicely balanced combination of vertical timber uprights and brick. Inside, from the main entrance the home is split around a hall way, separating the bedrooms from the open-plan living, dining, kitchen, positioned behind the 2-car garage at the front. With a section size of 420qsm Ray says it calls for some creativity with respect to the home’s outside landscaping and spaces. “All going well we’re aiming for end of September to open up to the public, that will give time for the landscaping to settle and establish.” Next door to the show-home is another section. Ray says the plan is to design another home for a house and land package, that will complement the show-home. This second home may extend to 4 bedrooms, but that decision hasn’t been finalised yet. The team includes five in the office, four on the tools plus sub-contractors. In the last two months, 3 homes have been sold off the plans. Ray says Versatile is focussed on the medium to smaller home market and nationally has invested time and resources into working out plans for the more Compact and Advantage range homes, considering the trend toward smaller section sizes. “We have a large range of houses to begin a conversation with clients from and there’s always room to create something bespoke or adapt an existing plan.” Proudly supporting Compass Homes... CONSULT | DESIGN | COMPLETE LTD LIGHTING SOCKETS VENTILATION ALARMS DESIGN DATA (07) 849 4831 (07) 8494831 glelectrical.net.nz In support of Versatile Homes & Buildings Tom Matatahi, Director 021 0263 0124 info@jmminsulation.co.nz www.jmminsulation.co.nz Proudly supporting Versatile Homes & Buildings Installing insulation into: • Small – Large Commercial • New Builds • Retro Fit Houses PROFESSIONAL PLUMBERS HAMILTON Our Jamark team offers you not only a professional plumbing service but an excellent source of advice and consultation for structural and supply side plumbing. 0800 JAMARK | www.jamarkplumbing.co.nz Versatile Homes & Buildings - Hamilton
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