| 127 T T Russell Fredric Renovations the sensible choice Chip Construction has tapped into a market where renovations are both popular and a sensible economic choice. Chip Construction BUILDING Complex residential renovations might go against the grain for some builders, but for Chip Construction this is the type of work the team thrives on. Owner Mitchell Fairhurst says he and his tight team of two enjoy the technical challenges involved in comprehensive renovations and seeing the transformation of old, cold, dimly lit houses into bright warm welcoming homes that are a joy to live in. A member of New Zealand Certified Builders, Mitchell started his Dunedin-based business in 2019 after completing his apprenticeship three years earlier. He believes his father having owned a joinery workshop has been an influence when it comes to attention to detail and finishing. “In my building career I have experienced all different aspects of carpentry, from light commercial, new builds, renovations, bathrooms, alterations, decks and fences, and enough joinery experience to make sill replacements to installs of new joinery a breeze.” Mitchell says. He is also passionate about creating a positive work environment, so that work sites are an enjoyable place both for him and his team to turn up to every day. “We have a young, enthusiastic team with a great range of skills within the trade ready to bring a project to life.” Due to Dunedin having an older housing stock and because of the cost of building new, especially with the city having many steep building sites, Chip Construction has tapped into a market where renovations are both popular and a sensible economic choice, Mitchell says. “Finding land is tricky, so we are targeting projects that have houses in locations that they love, that either need more space or to be repurposed from the original house.” The renovation of a 100-plus- year-old weatherboard villa in North East Valley for an investor is a perfect example of Chip Construction’s work. Completed over seven months, the house received a full reclad, new windows, was rewired, replumbed and had a large extension and remodel for five bedrooms with ensuites and a new kitchen/living area. Because of the number of similar projects Chip Construction has completed, Mitchell describes the renovation as being straightforward, despite the house being stripped back to its bare bones. It was the client’s fourth villa project, but he had been let down by another builder and was looking for a few key characteristics in the company that would complete it. This included being told the truth about a delayed start time due to other commitments rather than over-promising and under-delivering. “This meant a great deal to me as it gave me confidence that he would extend the same values when on my jobs,” the client said. Mitchell and his team were able to achieve an outstanding result within a budget that made the project a great investment. “The client was stoked. We really enjoyed working for him and he really enjoyed working with us. It was a good outcome all round which every business transaction should be.” Chip Construction’s latest build is a new house on an extremely steep site with “terrible” access in Queen Street that highlights Mitchell and his team’s love of a challenge and niche projects. “We don’t generally do new builds unless it’s something a little bit different. No one else really wanted to look at it; you’ve got to walk up a couple of flights of stairs to even get to the job. You can’t Hiab anything in so most things are being carried in and it was quite high to get it out of the ground for a start.” PLACEMAKERS DUNEDIN & MOSGIEL PLACEMAKERSDUNEDIN & MOSGIEL 50 BURNS ST & 34 CARNCROSS ST (03) 466 4617 PROUDLY SUPPORTING
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