| 99 T T Rosa Watson Relocated homes retain special features The company is focused mostly on the residential renovations space. Photo: Kathryn Taylor Photography James Hunt Residential “I love it. You feel like you’re a real carpenter fixing up a house like that; those old houses are made of wood.” BUILDING A passion for restoring and renovating homes is what drives the James Hunt Residential team in bringing dream projects to life. The Sheffield-based company was started eight years ago and is focused mostly on the residential renovations space. More recently there had been a lot of work in relocatable homes, says owner James Hunt. “We are getting quite a few of these big projects where (a client has) found a house they’ve liked, and then we move it on to a beautiful site. The trick is to make it look like it’s always been there.” One current job is a relocated 280sqm, two-storey home just outside Darfield with a view straight across to the Malvern Hills. It was a full restoration of the home, including all new foundations and the replacement of around 40% of the floor that was in “bad shape”. “I don’t think there was much we didn’t touch,” says James. The kitchen and entrance were fully restored, with wooden joinery installed, and bifold doors added, which open out to the front lawn. The upstairs was relined, windows were moved around, and a new tiled bathroom created. The house came from Fendalton in Christchurch and was moved to the site in three pieces by NZ Building Removals, the bottom storey in two pieces that were joined together on-site and the second storey lifted on by Smith cranes. There has been an increase in relocating homes, with this the third relocated home James has worked on recently. “I think what we’re finding is, you can buy some of these old houses, and it’s not necessarily the cheapest way to do it but (with a new build) you don’t get those nice features. You can get some quite cute, quite special features, rather than going for a bog standard new build.” James is passionate about seeing these old homes brought back to life. “I love it. You feel like you’re a real carpenter fixing up a house like that; those old houses are made of wood. It’s quite enjoyable to work on and we seem to attract people that are wanting to do that. It’s quite rewarding saving a house from just getting burnt, instead turning it into a pretty amazing family home.” While happy taking on the odd new build, James says the team enjoys renovating homes. “It comes to craftsmanship and thinking outside the box. The transformation of it is always nice. I find new with builds, it’s like playing with a Lego set. Restorations give you the opportunity to stretch yourself.” It also provides more opportunity to work alongside clients, he says. “You can sit with them and say, what are your dreams for this property? You can be a part of that whole journey and take those ideas and thrash them out. You can change the whole house and how they do life in that house.” It’s something the firm is becoming wellknown for in the region “The biggest thing is we love working on these old houses and our plan is to get things rolling with more enquiries and more referrals.” An upcoming project is adding a second storey to a 40-year-old home in West Melton that the owners want to bring up to the spec of the neighbourhood. The existing house is a “concrete block” on a beautiful property that will be renovated with a mixture of articulated timber cladding and plaster, and windows will be replaced with a more modern look. It will also include decking and screening and enlarging some of the external openings. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PLUMBING SERVICES Including repairs, installations, and maintenance, to help keep your plumbing system running smoothly. COINTACT US NOW 021 248 7998 flameh2o@gmail.com Proudly Supporting James Hunt Residential Plumbing Gas fitting Solar hot water systems Property Maintenance New builds Renovations Finn Plumbing Ltd Nigel Patterson - Certifying Plumber and Gasfitter 022 099 2768 | finnplumbingnz@gmail.com PO Box 92001 Farington, Rolleston 7650 servicing ashburton, mid canterbury, selwyn & christchurch
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