116 | Riding the new wave A recent standout project in Sefton has already earned Robertson Building Canterbury significant recognition, winning a Regional Gold Award and Category Winner at the 2024 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards in the $500,000–$750,000 category. Robertson Building Canterbury T T Kelly Deeks BUILDING With more than 25 years of hands-on experience and a solid foundation in traditional carpentry, Arthur Robertson has built his North Canterbury-based company, Robertson Building Canterbury, on an old-school work ethic and a wide-ranging skillset that’s increasingly rare in today’s construction industry. “We don’t just specialise in one thing, we specialise in everything,” Arthur says. “New builds, renovations, alterations, farm sheds, kitchens, bathrooms, decking – we do the lot. That’s the way I was trained, and that’s how I’ve shaped this business.” Arthur’s introduction to building came the classic way, through a time-served apprenticeship under a retiring builder, who passed down a deep knowledge of older homes and how to work with them. “I was lucky to learn from an old boy, who took me through pulling apart and putting back together older houses. A lot of young guys now only see new frames and plasterboard. They don’t get the grounding I had.” That grounding set Arthur up to fast-track his apprenticeship, finishing in just over three years. When his mentor retired, Arthur stepped in to take over the client base and launched Robertson Building Canterbury. More than two decades later, he’s still running a tight-knit crew that includes two qualified builders and two apprentices, with a focus on high-quality workmanship and personalised service. “Keeping the team small helps us keep the quality up,” he says. “Everyone’s hands-on, and we’re always involved right through from the first meeting with the client to the final handover.” The company works mainly throughout North Canterbury, especially in Rangiora, and rarely needs to cross the Waimakariri Bridge. While the past couple of years have brought some ups and downs, Arthur says they are now riding a new wave of demand. “We’ve got some really solid work ahead, including a 550sqm architectural home on a double section in Rangiora, and some more upcoming large new builds,” he says. “And the phone’s been ringing. Things are definitely picking up.” A recent standout project in Sefton has already earned Robertson Building Canterbury significant recognition, winning a Regional Gold Award and Category Winner at the 2024 Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards in the $500,000–$750,000 category. The modern architectural home includes polished concrete floors, gabled rooflines, and a self-contained granny flat, all delivered with precision, budget control, and attention to detail. “The polished concrete floors were probably the most stressful part, and they usually are. Once they’re down, you’ve got to protect them through the whole build. “There’s no second chance. But it came up mint. And our bricklayer Dan Hewett Brick and Block did an awesome job on the rustic finish. You can’t fake that sort of character.” Arthur is quick to credit his trusted subcontractors as a key part of the business’s success. “They’re invaluable. Without them, we couldn’t do what we do. We make sure to look after them.” Looking ahead, Arthur says the goal for 2025 is sustainable growth. “We’re not looking to blow up into a massive company, just bring on the right people, keep things tidy, and keep delivering quality work. That’s what we do best.” Robertson Building’s reputation for traditional craftsmanship, practical know-how, and total project delivery continues to set them apart in the Canterbury building industry. Robertsonbuilding CA N T E R BU R Y L T D Specialists in all building projects. E: arthur@robertsonbuilding.co.nz W: www.robertsonbuilding.co.nz 027 245 1601 NEW HOMES Our experienced team of builders are ready to bring your vision to life. HOME RENOVATIONS Extensions, bathrooms, kitchens, decking... we do it all! FARM SHEDS We design and build quality farm sheds for our rural clients. Robertson Building Canterbury Ltd
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