92 | JRA Construction Award for small teamwith big reach BUILDING Joe Allen leads a small team of dedicated building professionals at his Auckland-based construction company. Being nimble and gathering a group of talented building operators, including a QS, qualified builders and project managers means that for its relatively small size JRA Construction is able to deliver a wide range of services, including new builds, renovations and extensions and ongoing maintenance. This year, one project JRA Construction tendered for, won and delivered, received a Silver Award at the 2022 NZ Commercial Builders Awards. The Laingholm Baptist Church redevelopment, located at the intersection of the settlements’ main road, was driven by the need to a community hub that would serve neighbouring Parau, Cornwallis, Huia and out to Whatipu, as spaces for groups to gather along with enhancing the experience for members of its congregation. Part of the existing building has been repurposed to include a community shop along with an upgraded cafe space that now links better to the outdoors and part of that has also been covered. “A new kitchen and ablution facilities have been included in an addition to the existing building while storage areas have been created along with a formal entry. There are also office spaces and community meeting rooms built around a north-facing courtyard linked by covered walkways.” The church community hub is one of only a few public spaces serving the Titirangi and wider areas. Built with colour-steel cladding to ensure full weather-tightness and ease of ongoing maintenance. “We started this build during the first lockdown and at a time when the threat of material shortages was beginning to kick-in. The tender process before this was about a year-long.” JRA Construction began life at the start of 2018 when Joe and his partner Beckie returned from travels overseas. Joe says he quickly hired three staff and operated at this size for the first two years. With referrals and demand for their services growing, today the company employs 12 staff. The shadow of labour shortages is still very much the reality, Joe says. He’s been fortunate to find people he already knew to join the company to enable JRA Construction to work at a competitive level. With the company the size it is Joe says he still enjoys some time on the tools but as it is he is lucky to get a full day a week with all the challenges the business, like many building companies, is facing. And with time-frames and price-hikes the unfortunate reality for the building sector, Joe says he feels they are performing well. “We are really upfront with our clients and help them with the full process from detailed budgets during concept stage with our inhouse quantity surveyor and project managing to hand over. We like to be as transparent as possible and talk with our clients about the challenges with trying to fix costs in this current market. We ensure they understand that there are issues beyond our control but will mitigate by forward planning at least four months in advance.” Joe is happy about the size of the business currently. Sue Russell The Laingholm Baptist Church redevelopment received a silver award at the 2022 NZ Commercial Builders Awards. Proudly delivering quality scaffolding for JRA Construction Our Series 2 two-stage level threshold drainage system has been designed to capture storm water and cladding water as well as eliminate accumulation of moisture from the outside, whist allowing a step-free transition from indoors to outdoors. , . Level Threshold Two Stage System • NZBC E2 compliant • Custommade for all projects large and small • Easy installation • Standard grate options or custom designs available • Fast lead times MARK BERRY mark@accrete.co.nz 021 521 317 Accrete Design are proud to support JRA Construction Rel iable and Professional Electrical Services in Auckland RESIDENTIAL DATA COMMERCIAL SECURITY
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