Business North November 2021

| 93 Guidance from concept to completion T Kelly Deeks Early contractor involvement is The Building Co’s preferred way of working. The Building Co BUILDING W hen embarking on any construction project, having a professional build- er who knows the process involved from the concept stage can save time and money, and allow for every unfolding oppor- tunity to be maximised for best results. Kendal Read of Auckland’s The Building Co says the best results are achieved when the builder is part of the project team from the beginning, working alongside both architect and client and providing budgeting and meth- odology advice. “In the past we’ve seen clients engage their architect first, then get a big surprise later when they get their pricing,” he says. “It’s a waste of resources, and in many cases you end up with the person who is taking respon- sibility for the whole project (the building contractor) coming in a year and a half into the design process.” With early contractor involvement, cli- ents can get to know their contractor for an extended period of time prior to them turning up to site. By the time construction starts, the team is well established and the client’s expec- tations are fully understood. Kendal says architects and clients are now starting to wake up to the fact that the build- ing contractor is the biggest part of the project team, and having the team put together at the conceptual stage of the project is delivering many huge benefits. “Have a builder who has been involved with the project from the beginning and they will make sure it stays feasible. They will take some of that responsibility off the architect, really drilling into the project and making sure it can happen with no nasty surprises with budgets and deadlines. Then they will deliver a completed project that meets or exceeds expectations.” Early contractor involvement is The Building Co’s preferred way of working, and through this method the firm builds projects that come in on budget within a good time frame. “More and more it’s about having a building company that is capable of pricing accurately through quantity surveying techniques and being able to deliver a high end product with the right staff. We’re seeing a lot more so- phistication in residential building companies taking on more of a commercial attitude in the way it prices its projects and runs its projects.” The Building Co has grown since its incep- tion in 2006 from a team of four to now 45. A lot of its growth has happened in the past three years, which Kendal puts down to the company maturing and putting a lot of time and effort into building its systems and its sophistication in terms of how it presents its quotes and manages its work. With The Building Co office standing behind them, its employed builders and contractors can turn up to work each day and concentrate solely on what needs to be done on site. “That has been a real tipping point for our business. Everybody can do what they do best, and it takes a lot of the stress out of the whole situation.” DEMACK ENGINEERING G e n e r a l E n g i n e e r i n g 2 0 0 8 L I M I T E D I I (09) 636 4608 | (09) 636 4440 | 021 372 286 | mark@demack.co.nz With over 20 years experience we are your Structural Steel Specialists for residential, commercial & industrial construction. Scaffolding Rental and Hire • Shrink Wrap Mobile Scaffolding • Temporary Propping 0800 589 600 www.getitupscaffolding.co.nz