| 105 T T Hugh de Lacy Family connection boosts success Bakalich Builders has stayed consistently busy through a period that saw some companies close their doors. Bakalich Builders BUILDING The belief that “everyone needs a house” is what drew Daniel Bakalich of Whakatane’s Bakalich Builders into the building industry straight out of school. And looking back, the steady run of work he’s had across the eastern Bay of Plenty since establishing the company in 2009 has more than justified his confidence. “I’d done woodwork in high school and was always watching new homes go up all round Whakatane,” Daniel says. “It seemed like a need that was never going to disappear, and that you could build a good solid living from.” After finishing school, Daniel completed a year-long pre-trade course in Whakatane before taking up a carpentry apprenticeship locally. In 2009, as soon as he came out of his apprenticeship, he set himself up as an independent contractor under the Bakalich Builders name. Over the following years, he continued contracting across the region as the business steadily grew, and within a few years was able to employ his first staff member. A significant part of Daniel’s early work came through his wife Michella Sisam’s family farm, where new builds and renovations helped get the business off the ground. Daniel and Michelle, now parents to four children aged between 18 months and 10 years, have overseen numerous new builds and extensions for Sisam & Sons farm over the years. Michelle is the company’s office manager, overseeing health and safety, contracts and accounts, strengthening the family-run nature of Bakalich Builders. Another longstanding connection to the Sisam farm is Nick Hadley, whose father, Pete, worked on the property for many years. Nick has been part of the Bakalich Builders team since 2015 and, like Daniel, is a licensed building practitioner. The company is also a proud member of Certified Builders. Daniel now runs Bakalich Builders with a dedicated team that includes Chris Willis, who joined the company last year and has quickly become an important and highly valued part of the crew, bringing with him a decade of experience from working in Australia. “We’re very much a family business, a typical small independent building company where the clients either know, or get to know, the people actually working on their home,” Daniel says. “That gives them confidence that the job is being completed to their specifications and to the highest professional standard.” Despite the tougher years many in the building industry have experienced recently, Bakalich Builders has stayed consistently busy through a period that saw some companies close their doors, and Daniel already has both renovation and new-build projects scheduled well into 2026. Bakalich Builders is currently completing alterations to the home of the principal of Kawarau College, following six or seven months on weathertightness work at Whakatane High School. “The building industry has delivered the life – and the lifestyle – that I hoped it would when “We’re very much a family business, a typical small independent building company where the clients either know, or get to know, the people actually working on their home.” I first took up the pre-trade course,” Daniel says. “It’s satisfying work, and it allows me the flexibility to enjoy the Bay of Plenty’s outdoors with my wife and kids.” 25 Gateway Drive, Whakatane, 3120 P: 07 307 8495 E: gatewayflooring@xtra.co.nz Proudly supporting Bakalich Builders F L OOR SB O P EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY’S LARGEST TILE SHOWROOM. OUR SERVICES ◊ Tiles ◊ Vinyl ◊ Plank flooring ◊ Full bathroom renovations ◊ Design & project management GET A FREE QUOTE Phone: 555-0123 Website: tilewarehouse.Com Electrical Installations and Repairs Farm Services & Cowsheds • Effluent & Irrigation Systems • Commercial & Domestic Wiring Proud to support Bakalich Builders 027 531 2549
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