28 | Personalised approach key “Every house I design and build is 100% different to the next person’s house.” says Hillco’s Nick Hill. Marlborough: Hillco T T Richard Loader REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT For Nick Hill, the passion for what he and his Blenheim based team at Hillco Ltd do is all about building their clients the homes that they want and what they had envisioned from the very start. “The happiness they have when they move into their home is out of this world, especially those people struggling to get that little extra out of the bank. It’s the satisfaction of knowing that they have spent their money and have got exactly what they wanted.” Nick’s passion can be traced all the way back to before he had entered the building trade, and was working for an aluminium company installing windows and doors. Forming a dream that he wanted to build his own home, he also saw customers who were less than satisfied with their new home. After completing his building apprenticeship in 2005, Nick quickly established his own company, and contracted to a building company. The business grew very quickly, progressively taking on apprentices and staff over the coming years. Nick’s dream of building his own home was realised in 2007 and by 2010 he was both funding and building his own spec homes, while continuing as a contracting builder. Nick finally focused entirely on his own projects in 2016, embarking on a design and build journey with the goal of providing a personalised approach to making other people’s dreams come true. The Hillco team operate around the main Marlborough region including Blenheim, Picton, Ward and Renwick, with a focus on residential builds. “The building trade has been booming for about eight years, which is really unprecedented. Older builders who have been in the industry for many years tell us there has never been a boom like we’ve had. But, with increased interest rates, the market is changing again and we’re now doing a lot more of the smaller jobs.” Hillco enjoys a very diverse customer base, with a good mix of first home buyers, mums and dads with kids, right through to retired farmers moving into town and downsizing. “We have some repeat customers who come back to us every few years, but most of our clients come to us from word-of-mouth referrals. A customer will come to me with a budget and ask what I can do for them, or they come to me with an idea of what they want and ask what it’s going to cost. So, we sit down over a beer or coffee and work out what their lifestyle is, how they want to live, are they indoor or outdoor people, what they want to achieve from their home, and how much money they actually have to spend on the build. That will give a really good picture of what they actually want.” Armed with the customer’s preferences and knowledge of their section, Nick works backwards designing the landscaping, the decks, what the house looks like and then the floor plan. “From there we develop a rough sketch, tweak it, go to a concept drawing, tweak it again, and then get it drawn up for Council. Every house I design and build is 100% different to the next person’s house. It’s quite personalised and I take the client from the very first meeting right through to handing them their keys.” Nick’s passion for what he does has extended to being the President of Marlborough NZ Certified Builders Association, a role he has held for the last four years. “To belong to Certified Builders you have to be a qualified builder and you have to be current in what you do. One of the key benefits for the customer is knowing that the builder is up to a certain standard and will be held accountable.” Phil Barrett 0274 819 808 • after hours • email info@ampmplumbing.co.nz Plumbing Gas Proud to Support Hillco Ltd COMPETITIVE RATES & QUALITY WORK GUARANTEED BUILDING SUPPLIES • FARM BUILDINGS ALUMINIUM JOINERY • FRAMES & TRUSSES 41 HOLDSWORTH STREET, PO BOX 832 | BLENHEIM PHONE: 03 578 3049 | WWW.ITM.CO.NZ Proud to be a preferred supplier to Hillco Supplying Internal Doors, Kitchens, Pantries, Laundries & Robe Fitouts 03 578 4788 www.2dayzkitchens.nz 19 Nelson Street, Blenheim • New Roofs & Re-Roofs • Corrugated, 5 & 6 Rib & Multi Rib Profiles • Flashings • Fascia • Gutter • Downpipes • Fixings 31 Stuart Street, Blenheim | 03 578 8793 | www.roofing.co.nz ® Manufacturers of New Roofs and Re-Roofs
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