Business South March 2021

100 | Southland - Country Homes BUILDING Brothers enjoy the challenges Country Homes builds mostly new homes, but during the dairy boom completed a considerable number of dairy sheds. A depth of experience and tradition- al craftsmanship are hallmarks of Southland builders Country Homes, a partnership between brothers Herman and Hank Oudhoff. After being in business together for nearly four decades, the brothers have seen the full gambit of economic cycles. However one thing that has remained consistent, even in a world of the internet and social media, is word-of-mouth referrals re- sulting from a focus on quality workmanship. The business employs three staff and Hank’s role includes designing and dealing with consenting. “We were taught old-school and some of our methods are old-school as well,” Herman says. “We get clients from other clients; we will build a house and the client will recommend us to somebody else. “If there is a small thing we fix it, we don’t argue about it, we fix it. Referrals are very im- portant to us, we feel they are more important than advertising.” Today the company builds mostly new homes, but during the dairy boom completed a considerable number of dairy sheds. A result of this is many homes have been built for farmers, with many of them remain- ing clients and providing repeat business over the years. In his design role, Hank always enjoys the first contact with a client and developing a working relationship as the client outlines their wants and needs. Russell Fredric With his considerable experience as a build- er, Hank brings an extremely pragmatic per- spective which means he creates a design that is both efficient and cost effective to build, potentially creating considerable savings over a design created by someone without that hands-on experience. A new 260sqm house designed and built by County Homes is a perfect example of the company’s workmanship and of an extremely satisfied repeat client who continues to sing its praises. The brothers like the permanence of brick along with its ability to release stored heat, so recommended this as the ideal cladding option. This was plastered in white, with the con- trasting dark coloured steel roof and tinted windows created a striking contrast. Initially the client wanted a mono-pitch roof, but on Hank’s suggestion settled on a pitched roof with a vaulted internal ceiling, partly to avoid duplicating the look of the neighbour’s house; the client is absolutely delighted with the result. “He tells everybody in the district how good a job we did and how much he loves the house.” While Country Homes has a consistent workload and plenty of forward work, Her- man describes the Covid-19 lockdown this year as “horrible”. “There is still fallout in the construction industry in New Zealand due to the effects of the virus overseas, especially with the supply of some materials along with shortages of tradesmen in some areas. “There’s a bit of a boom in Invercargill, I don’t know why but there seems to be a lot of houses being built down here at the moment; perhaps the CBD rebuild is creating a lot of confidence.” Herman believes that the construction industry training organisation is doing everything it can to attract apprentices, but says there needs to be greater recognition of the importance of trades within the education system, especially when compared to the recognition gained by those who receive a university education. Tel: (03) 215 8570 • Mob: (027) 245 8570 E: office@arc-tech.co.nz • W: www.arctechjoinery.co.nz JOINERY SOUTH 2011 LTD Kitchen and Timber Joinery Specialists ARC-TECH 17 Basstian Street, Waikiwi, Invercargill Proudly supporting Country Homes Plumbing Electrical Gastting Drainlaying Solar PV Power & Hot Water Heating & Ventilation Heat Pumps 20 Bay Rd, Invercargill PHONE 03 21 57077 www.pbsnz.com Plumbers & Building Services Ltd We supply Electrical & Heating for Country Homes - Hank & Herm LEADING WITH www.thwaitesaluminium.co.nz 47 Mersey Street, Invercargill | 0800 4 fairview THWAITES ALUMINIUM Fairview windows & doors, o ffer quality products that are made for New Zealand homes. Since 1987.