94 | BUILDING RN Building NZ’S MOST TRUSTED HEAT PUMP Installed by locals you can trust. 71 Church Street, Timaru 03 684 5298 theheatpumpshop.com Connection with clients a key factor for Ryan Projects such as the Humdinger Gin Distillery refurbishment, the Bonnie Day Brewery fit-out, and work for local schools, have added new dimensions to the company’s portfolio. T T Hugh de Lacy Being the person clients have direct access to throughout the design and construction phases has been a key element in the steady growth and expansion of Geraldine, South Canterbury builder Ryan Neutze of RN Building Ltd. Ryan launched the company about 10 years ago, but growth has allowed him to down tools and spend nearly all his time communicating with his clients and doing the background and support work – resulting in a cycle of continued growth. “One of the great challenges of starting a building business is being able to keep the clients up to date with what’s going on, usually before they even ask, and accompanying them on to the building site to explain what’s going on,” Ryan says. “That’s a challenge I’ve been able to meet with RN Building, and it’s become a virtual circle where today a good 90% of our work is for repeat clients, or new ones attracted to us by word of mouth. “In a small town like Geraldine, word of mouth is crucial for a business like ours – word gets around really quickly, and there’s nothing better for attracting new clients.” Ryan launched RN Building in 2015, and initially most of that work was subcontracting to other builders. Typically for such a business, he worked alone or with just one staff member for the first couple of years, until word got around about the quality of his work, and after about four years he developed his own selection of house designs and began focusing on them. Within a couple more years he was up to his present staff levels of five qualified builders, including one with quantity surveying experience, who balances time between the office and the tools. RN Building also employs three carpentry apprentices and an office manager, ensuring both the practical and administrative sides of the business run smoothly. A key part of the client experience is the RN Building showroom, located on Talbot Street in Geraldine, and designed to guide clients through the entire building journey. “We’ve got the displays arranged in a way that you start at the design stage and then get to look at the physical elements, from interior linings and cabinetry right through to tapware and electrical fittings,” Ryan says. “It’s a key step in showing the client all the alternatives so they can make their decisions and choices even before the design process gets underway.” RN Building also works closely with a trusted architect to refine and finalise designs, ensuring each project meets both aesthetic and practical expectations. While residential homes remain at the core of the business – typically six to 10 builds a year – RN Building has recently expanded into the light commercial sector. Projects such as the Humdinger Gin Distillery refurbishment, the Bonnie Day Brewery fit-out, and work for local schools, have added new dimensions to the company’s portfolio. For Ryan, the formula remains simple: “Stay connected, deliver quality, and let your work – and your clients – speak for themselves.”
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