108 | Warwick Gair Builders T T Kelly Deeks Strong team driving firm forward Warwick Gair Builders has a high level of repeat business and it’s mainly working in the renovation space. “We’ve got heaps of work on and that’s something we can be proud of. What we deliver is there with the best in the industry, and our happy clients are spreading word of our reputation for quality work.” BUILDING After 45 years of high quality residential building, Warwick Gair Builders on the orth Shore is now being led by son lastair Gair, and he is excited to be taking his excellent team of solid builders along the path of success laid down by his parents. Alastair has already been working for Warwick Gair Builders for more than 25 years and says he’s very proud of the strong foothold Warwick and Theresa have gained in the marketplace. “One thing I’m quite excited about in this economic climate is that we’re still going really strong,” he says. “We’ve got heaps of work on and that’s something we can be proud of. What we deliver is there with the best in the industry, and our happy clients are spreading word of our reputation for quality work.” Warwick was building for years before he started Warwick Gair Building in 1979, and Alastair says he was around in the days when builders were always well respected in their communities. But with the leaky homes crisis of the 1980s and cowboy builders taking advantage of the construction boom and doing poor quality work, the reputation of the industry started to decline. “However, that also means today people can really appreciate quality, and now that clients are renovating and restoring some of these homes, they really appreciate our help throughout this massive process, and the wonderful new homes we create for them.” Warwick Gair Builders has a high level of repeat business and it’s mainly in the renovation space. However, the team loves building new homes of course (they’re easier) but the opportunity to breathe new life into an old home and keep it going for another 100 years is a great thing to be part of. “We love tidying up these older homes and keeping that cool character, whilst incorporating modern design into the renovated home.” Warwick Gair Builders are currently renovating a bungalow in Mt Eden that’s going to have that contemporary feel about it, retaining all the character at the front of the home with a modern extension to the back. “The journey through this house tells a story of its Renovation,” Alastair says. “The entry is all 3.5m ceilings and beautifully detailed architraves, and as you walk through it transforms into a cool, modern, open plan living area leading to a new swimming pool and outdoor entertaining area in the backyard.” In Auckland, buildings built before 1944 can’t have more than 30% of the site demol- ished and without these rules in place, Alastair doubts many old homes would have survived. “It’s good these rules are in place to protect these homes and these neighbourhoods. It’s not hard to see, certainly in Auckland, that neighbourhoods are changing very quickly. It’s nice to be able to go into certain parts of Auckland and see the homes that people can remember from years ago.” While it’s a tough time in the industry for a lot of builders, Warwick Gair Builders is in a great position. Alastair thinks it’s due to a combination of the strong foundations laid by Warwick and Theresa, the momentum he has created since he’s taken over the reins, and what really helps bring all of that together is having such a great team. “Our team is so strong and we’re very fortunate for that. Warwick would always talk about us being like a family, I talk more about us being like a sports team. “We’re only as strong as our weakest link so it’s all about supporting each other and being very selective about who we take on. “Our whole team works hard every day and sticks to our core values, and that is reflected in the product we produce.” This company culture is important to maintain, and Alastair does it by supporting his team and giving them a workplace they can enjoy turning up to every day. “Keeping things fresh by listening to my team and what makes them happy on site is important because when they’re enjoying their work, our clients get a better result. “It’s not only the work ethic that’s improved, but also the vibe on site, and these can be seen in the end product.”
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