Business North May 2021

| 101 The ‘wow’ factor in Wellsford Sue Russell PR Builders completes both new builds and renovations anywhere from Puhoi to Marsden Point. PR Builders BUILDING W ellsford-based residential Peter Richards established PR Builders Ltd was in 2006, with wife Anne. Working hard to build the business through the ups and downs of the global financial crises provided Peter with the opportunity to really focus on what matters most to him; giving clients a really great customised build- ing experience with top quality workmanship from “go to whoa”. Today, the couple employ two qualified carpenters and two apprentices. “I did my apprenticeship in Taupo with an award winning Lockwood Homes business and grew an affinity to working with natural timber,” says Peter. Demand for their building services has increased hugely in the past year, through the Covid period, with the workload doubling and plenty of enquiries. Projects can be anywhere from Puhoi to Marsden Point, east to west coast and while new builds form a large part of business Peter says he’s always keen to take on interesting and challenging renovations. One current project underway is a large renovation of a tired old bungalow with a complete new fit-out and additions and anoth- er, for a couple who had custom-designed a small 1 bedroom home. “They had been living in a tiny home but wanted something a little bigger and more permanent. It’s a really nice build,” Peter says. The home has a natural stained board and batten look exterior with modern aluminium joinery, the interior has a spacious pitched lounge and kitchen ceiling with birch ply and exposed natural timber beams and rafters. The generous amount of glass in the living area gives a great feel of the elevated rural environment and distant sea views. Another recent project, a four bedroom family home with exposed trusses and recy- cled Rimu panelling in Mangawhai has a lot of custom fixtures and features, an aspect of building Peter says he especially enjoys. With Natural vertical cladding this barn type home sits beautifully within the stunning native bush. And for a project completely out of the bag, Peter recalls a coastal property of architect Peggy Dreamer’s, Tent Home. Built, overlook- ing the Kaipara Harbour the home is two sepa- rate structures, one a purposefully minimally designed and constructed 58sqm home, with an open-plan footprint built on a raised platform and the other, an 82sqm platform, which houses three tents and an open deck for visitors to enjoy. “The site didn’t allow for a flat area large enough to accommodate the tents and deck- ing area, so we built the platform to create this. The roof above is supported on five large poles.” Peter says working closely with clients early on in the design phase definitely adds value to the building process and the ultimate outcome. “Sometimes the builder misses out on this, but I try to get involved because I want the client to get what they want from what they can afford.” He’s seen it where at times the budget gets pushed aside at the design stage; a disconnect that often leads to problems, changes and ultimately disappointment for the owner. “I’m a very fair and honest person. I’m not out there to charge the most I can and make the most money. “We just really enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a great design and build and giving the home’s owners something they are inspired by.” · COMMERCIAL · INDUSTRIAL · RESIDENTIAL SCAFFOLDING Arron 027 600 0533 info@scaffolding.org.nz | 17-21 Station Rd Wellsford summitscaffolding.co.nz Oldfield Electrical Limited Residential, Commercial, Agricultural Electrical Services i i l, i l, i l l l i l i Proud to support PR Builders o su Wellsford & surrounding areas | oldfield.electrical@gmail.com | 021423778