58 | Service, pricing a priority Universal Plumbing’s continued delivery of high quality service and craftsmanship has taken the company from a local Christchurch business to a nationwide plumbing firm. Universal Plumbing T T Kelly Deeks CONTRACTING Proudly Supporting Universal Plumbing for the past 5 years. We specialise in a variety of gas installations from small maintenance jobs through to residential new builds and light commercial work 021 2444 944 admin@abbottgh.co.nz The cloud based workflow management solution to grow your business. Manage your business more effectively Slash paperwork and reduce costs Increase office and field staff productivity Stand out from your competitors Strengthen cash flow Improve compliance using SmartForms 0800 327943 sales@smarttrade.biz www.smartbizonline.com Proudly Supporting Universal Plumbing Ltd Specialising in new house plumbing for the past 22 years, Universal Plumbing’s continued delivery of high quality service and craftsmanship has taken the company from a local Christchurch business to a nationwide plumbing firm with four owners and 50 skilled and experienced tradesmen, managing residential and light commercial projects from start to finish for housing companies, builders, and homeowners all around New Zealand. Starting Universal Plumbing in Christchurch in 2002, Marcus van Klink offered an honest, efficient, and professional service installing beautiful and functional plumbing to a very high standard. He gained a number of key housing company clients, some of whom had a nationwide presence and by 2015, they were asking him to plumb their new homes in Auckland as well. Marcus’ first apprentice, Hamish Whitehead, was by then qualified, suitably experienced, and keen to join Universal Plumbing as a shareholder and set the company up in Auckland, where it has operated successfully ever since. Ryan Hurring then became a shareholder of Universal Plumbing in Christchurch and by 2018, this expansion model was repeated with former employee Robert Barnes becoming a shareholder and setting up Universal Plumbing Southern Lakes, then former employee Jaden Norton became a shareholder and set up Universal Plumbing Wellington in 2019. Marcus says Universal Plumbing’s relationships with housing company owners and project managers were key to his company’s expansion into other regions. “We’ve always tried to offer a good service and good pricing,” he says. “Being there when our clients need us is critical in the construction industry. We typically work on 50 to 60 new homes every month and we’re normally the last trade going in, so scheduling and rescheduling is a huge New Zealand, with a lot of plumbers who have left employers and gone out on their own,” Marcus says. “Housing companies are very unforgiving these days and there is always someone who will jump in if you’re not performing, so as well as good pricing, we have to make sure we are there when we’re needed and we’re providing that high quality product and service.” Universal Plumbing is a proud member of Master Plumbers, undergoing ongoing quality assurance reviews and getting the job done right every time. Its jobs are backed by the 12-month Master Plumbers Guarantee so every client is protected and assured of the latest plumbing practices and the highest possible standards. “We typically work on 50 to 60 new homes every month and we’re normally the last trade going in, so scheduling and rescheduling is a huge part of our job.” part of our job. We have one person dedicated to that full-time here in Christchurch to make sure that whenever a client wants us on site, then that’s the day we turn up.” Universal Plumbing has had a busy few years with the post-Covid construction boom and still workflow remains steady in Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Local market dynamics in Wellington have slowed the workflow there during election year and Marcus is looking forward that centre getting back to business as usual. Each of Universal Plumbing’s locations is meeting different market demands, and Marcus says Christchurch is the most competitive of all. “It’s the most competitive market in
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