| 99 T T Rosa Watson Combination proving winning formula The company is mainly focused in mid- to high-range residential builds, and they have completed a number of energy-efficient homes, Craft Limited BUILDING Combining construction companies has been a winning formula for brothersin-law Ben Fearnley and Nathan Bell of Craft Ltd. The Christchurch-based company was established in August 2021 when Rebecca and Ben Fearnley combined their firm Fearnley Construction with Bell Crafted Homes, owned by Rebecca’s brother Nathan. “Over the course of years, we had worked in together at different times and then we decided actually, let’s create a business together,” Rebecca says. “Because both our businesses had our surnames in them, we thought let’s just create something new.” The business was officially formed during the 2021 lockdown. “It was a good time for us to be able to just sort all the paperwork out.” Combining the companies provided more scope to take on work, and to move into the higher-end space, she says. “ It just helps to ease the load and just to have a bit of balance between work and life.” At the same time, the company remains small enough to be bespoke. “We get alongside clients and really work with them and build something that’s for them that is really at the heart of what they want,” Rebecca explains. With Ben based in Leeston and Nathan based in the city, they cover the Selwyn and Christchurch districts. “So, sometimes work is out Leeston way and sometimes in the city. We’ve got a job just starting at Tai Tapu, but then we’ve just finished a job in Beckenham.” The company sets itself apart with its quality of workmanship, Rebecca says. “That’s something we prioritise. We like to take extra care in giving the clients a good product.” She says the company is mainly focused in mid- to high-range residential builds. They have completed a number of energy-efficient homes, and are seeing homeowners move towards prioritising the warmth of their home when building. “We’ve done a few of these homes. That’s really important to people – the energy efficiency of the home.” While the firm has designers it works with, they find most clients have their own plans prepared. “(They) have their own designer that they work with and then they come to us for the build.” Outside of residential, they recently completed a conversion of a commercial building in Leeston, converting an open-bay shed for Nairn Electrical so that it was closed in and had office spaces created. “That was a completely different build to what we’ve done before.” They also built a large timber boardroom table for the project. On other jobs, at client requests, they have constructed exposed timber trusses, bespoke veranda arches, hallway arches, eaves brackets, in-built wall units, and bench seats with drawers and mirrors. Rebecca says they enjoyed all the joinery items and hoped to do more of them. It provides another offering for the company, she says. “It’s kind of not your standard builder option. Often you find during the build the client might want something made. “We’d really like to go in that direction and in the future we would really like to put more into that bespoke furniture and joinery space.” Made for Living
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