72 | Southland - C. Brown Builders BUILDING Experience galore on school projects Kim Newth The experienced team at C. Brown Builders. No matter whether it’s a boiler replacement that needs doing or a classroom block refurbishment, the professional team from C. Brown Builders Ltd can be relied upon to get the job done for schools in Invercargill and across Southland and Central Otago. Owner Craig Brown, who founded the award winning Invercargill-based business in 2005, has worked continuously in the building trade since his apprenticeship in 1984 and has a trusted reputation as both a tradesman and project manager. Built on the philosophy that no job is too big or too small, C Brown Builders Ltd today employs an experienced and competent team who take pride in seeing every job through to a high standard from start to finish. School maintenance and build projects, along with light commercial work, are core areas of expertise for Craig and his team. All school projects are conducted in consultation with a project manager and architects and completed in line with strict Ministry of Education guidelines. “We did our first school contract in 2008 and it has carried on from there,” says Craig. “What we’ve been doing recently is boiler replacement from coal to wood or pellet burners to bring schools into line with clean air regulations.” School administration upgrades, including fire alarms, has been another busy area of specialist work for the team. While a lot of the school contract work is in the Invercargill area, some projects can be further afield. Past projects at Glenorchy School, for example, include a toilet block replacement, construction of a multipurpose space and a storage building. Last year (2021), C Brown Builders began to undertake boiler and toilets compliance work at Te Anau School and will be back there again this year building verandas. Two big boilers were replaced at Fiordland College last year too. “We’re often involved, too, with remodelling or upgrading existing school spaces as Learning Support (LSC) rooms to provide an office space for that purpose.” Last year, C Brown Builders carried out LSC projects at Riverton Primary School, Waiau Area School, Wallacetown School, St John’s Girls’ School and Tisbury School. More LSC contracts are coming up for the team this year. Craig says their school contract work covers a wide spectrum from small rural schools to large urban high schools. “We’re currently doing a joint venture with another local builder at Southland Boys’ High School involving roofing replacement, extensive cladding and fire alarms.” Health and safety requirements today don’t just mean having work sites fenced off. Craig checks in on worksites several times a day to make sure everything is proceeding properly. At many local schools, C Brown Builders has been engaged on multiple projects and Craig is proud of the cumulative impact their work has made. “It is rewarding work to be doing and we have met some very good principals and teachers.” C Brown Builders has a staff of 13, complemented by experienced local subcontractors. Craig is committed to skills development in the wider industry and has three first year apprentices, one in their third year and another starting this year. “We need to bring the young ones through and the school contracts are a really good way for them to get experience.” Along with school projects, C Brown Builders completes a lot of light commercial work such as shop fit-outs and alterations. The team is also currently undertaking the renovation of the Winton Library for Southland District Council. “As well, we’ve got a big home renovation coming up in Te Anau this year – we do everything.” Craig says Invercargill is going through a busy phase for building. “A new hotel is being built at the same time as a big inner city upgrade. All the builders here are flat out!” B.B CUNNINGHAME LTD Cow Shed Wall/Pit Coatings ALL TYPES OF WET AREA NON SLIP FLOORING Southland owned and operated for 50 years For a Free Quote PH: 03 218 2285 MOB: 0274 328 537 Em: glenn@bbcunninghame.co.nz 50 Spey St, Invercargill RESIN FLOORING & SPECIALIST COATINGS WATERPROOFING & MEMBRANE ROOFING Phone Mark on: 027 367 4448 Email: dnright1@gmail.com Professional Painting Service WE DO FREE QUOTES! DUNNRIGHT
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