94 | Jeff King Building Ltd T T Aimee Wilson Commercial work keeps firm busy BUILDING Modernising and upgrading some of Dunedin’s most important health, education and local government spaces has provided challenges and opportunities for Jeff King Building Ltd. The respected building company’s almost 40 years in the business has enabled Jeff and the team to win some big tenders in recent years. The commercial work makes up about 70% of the contracts the company is involved with, including the Dunedin City Council with its extensive elevator upgrades in all the municipal and public buildings. Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora has been a regular client for the past 35 years – Jeff King Building Ltd is responsible for keeping the ageing hospital building functioning, and most recently adding five new operating theatres. There’s also work at the University of Otago, looking after student flats since the tertiary institution started taking over a lot more of the accommodation around the city. Jeff employs a reliable team of seven working on different projects, with one of his original apprentices having been with him for more than 16 years – proving there is loyalty both internally and throughout the firm’s strong client base. Originally trained as a fibrous plasterer, Jeff added a building apprenticeship to the mix eight years later, and saw an opportunity to start his own business in 1988. In 2022, the company won the tender for the DCC elevator upgrade work across the city, responsible for managing the project in conjunction with the companies that were installing the new electronic lift shafts. Jeff says there are still further lift upgrades to work on, following the completion of the Edgar Centre and two inner-city car parking spaces – the next ones being in Great King Street. The company prioritises smaller jobs such as maintenance work around the city as well, and the team enjoys the variety of renovations and new residential builds. The building market might be tight, Jeff says, but he’s been around long enough to know when the opportunities are there, “you have to be really sharp with your pencil to get them”. That meant keeping prices competitive enough to not miss out, but also being realistic about what they are charging, given their experience. “We try to keep our pricing the same through good times and bad times.” The industry will always have its challenges, and there are some tricky environments to work in, such as Dunedin Hospital, where they are always dealing with ‘live’ areas. “You’re always having to work in with the staff and patients. But it’s an exciting challenge.” With a brand-new Dunedin hospital now confirmed, but still a few years away from being completed, Jeff knows there will be plenty of ongoing work until then keeping the old one in good shape. “We’ll be there right till the very last patient is transferred to the new hospital. The old hospital still has to be kept to a certain standard.” 0800 272 233 | USGenquiries@unitedscaffolding.co.nz | unitedscaffolding.co.nz Proud to support Jeff King Building Ltd INVERCARGILL | QUEENSTOWN | DUNEDIN | CROMWELL | CHRISTCHURCH | AUCKLAND | WELLINGTON trade.admin@megadunedin.co.nz Phone 03 455 3341 www.mitre10.co.nz/trade 350 Andersons Bay Rd, DUNEDIN Proud to support Je King Building Ltd OPEN 7 DAYS FOR ALL YOUR BUILDING SUPPLIES Jeff King Building Ltd We are proud to support
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