84 | Fitout Solutions Delivering on time and on budget Karen Phelps Fitout Solutions is currently working on projects around New Zealand including Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton. COMMERCIAL FIT-OUT SECTOR Early contractor involvement is an essential ingredient in the successful delivery of projects on time and on budget. And it’s an area where Auckland based company Fitout Solutions strives to deliver. “An architectural or interior design company always deliver with a fantastic design but when a project goes out to tender it can easily end up over budget – particularly now with Covid-19 supply chain issues affecting pricing of materials,” says Fitout Solutions project director Brett Pritchard. “We get involved early where possible so we can cost engineer while a project is still in the design phase. This means the client gets their design brief met as we can come up with different approaches and alternative materials, saving time and money.” Fitout Solutions was started in 2019 by five shareholders including Brett and CEO Aidan Teesdale. Well-known businessman Rob Fyfe is also a shareholder and his extensive business experience brings fresh thinking and direction to the fitout construction market. Brett and Aidan lead Fitout Solutions on a day-to-day basis. Qualified builder Aidan has international experience as a project manager and Brett, previously an electrician by trade, brings key knowledge and experience of the building services sector and project management on commercial, industrial and residential projects in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Their international expertise, combined with the backup of a highly skilled team, which has project managed over 500 fitouts developing strong knowledge in all elements required to deliver any project, has stood the company in good stead navigating the uncertainties the pandemic has hit the building industry with. “Pricing and supply issues have been dealt with by stockpiling materials alongside detailed procurement and planning,” explains Brett. “In our industry procurement times are often short so we have to be proactive when it comes to supply of materials.” By outsourcing, rather than trying to do everything in-house, Fitout Solutions has also realised yet more efficiency: “By doing this we know we can target the right contractors specifically suited for the client’s project meaning better pricing and quality as our contractors are experts in there respective fields,” he explains. “It helps us to streamline the process for our clients giving them an end-to-end solution resulting in projects being completed on time and on budget.” For design ideas, advice or a quote contact us: P 09 827 8633 E sales@italianstone.co.nz W italianstone.co.nz or visit our showroom at 10 Portage Rd, New Lynn As one of New Zealand’s largest stone importers, we have the capacity to supply commercial jobs of any scale. Our work history reflects our ability to deliver. Our experience and expertise has and is still being utilised on numerous landmark developments around New Zealand. THE EXPERIENCE TO DELIVER “We get involved early where possible so we can cost engineer while a project is still in the design phase.” A good example is the company’s recent work on the Moncler luxury retail story in 277 Broadway Newmarket. Fitout Solutions worked with architect Pennant & Triumph from early intent drawing stage to delivery of a compliant luxury retail fitout. The initial Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland pushed out the start date by almost a year and in turn created issues with procuring luxury products and materials from suppliers offshore including marble from Italy. Brett says the resulting fitout, which was completed in October in an eight-month project, reflects the high level skills of the entire Fitout Solutions team and subcontractors. Fitout Solutions is currently working on numerous projects around New Zealand including Queenstown, Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton including medical centres, retail, hospitality and workplace fitouts. Currently it is completing a 3000sqm complex in Queenstown. In the past year Fitout Solutions has expanded its focus to include building small construction projects as well as interior fitout and is presently working on supermarket projects across New Zealand where Fitout Solutions will complete both the base build and fitout works. Fitout Solutions is comprised of an ever-growing team including project managers, quantity surveyors, estimators, accounts and administration personnel. The company has experienced rapid growth and is expanding into other hubs New Zealand wide. Brett says that having a local presence in key hubs such as Wellington will allow Fitout Solutions to tap more effectively into the local market and deliver a better result for its clients. “Large format fitouts and small construction projects will be our key focus for diversification going forward, continuing to deliver on our simple principles of clear communication and providing our customers with a hands-on personal touch and exceptional results.”
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