106 | Holmesmade Builders T T Karen Phelps Firm thriving on happy clients Holmesmade Builders specialises in residential new builds and renovations, BUILDING In Christchurch, Holmesmade Builders has earned a reputation not for chasing profit, but for nurturing relationships. Specialising in residential new builds and renovations, the company thrives on word of mouth, its work flowing largely from satisfied clients and trusted professional networks. “At Holmesmade Builders we understand every project is different. That’s why we go the extra mile to work closely with our clients to achieve their vision. This means involving them every step of the way, having honest discussions and searching out those innovative solutions that ensure a great result,” says company owner Jonathan Wilks. Holmesmade Builders regularly collaborates with AO Architects, a partnership that has produced some of its most striking projects. Currently underway is a two-storey new build on the lower slopes of Mt Pleasant. The home is clad in a mix of plaster and cedar, and features an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area, along with a media room and office on the ground floor. Upstairs, three bedrooms include a master with ensuite, a full bathroom, laundry, and a gym with frameless glass partitions and a glass balustrade overlooking the ground floor and beyond. A double garage and an infinity pond with water feature will complete the property. The client, an engineer, has a strong working connection with the team, reinforcing Holmesmade’s focus on trust and collaboration. “It shows that no matter how challenging the project, we can deliver a high-end finish. It says something being the engineer’s preferred builder and we have a really great working relationship,” says Jonathan. Site challenges are common for the company. The Mt Pleasant project required a three-metre-high block retaining wall and careful management of a sloping site. The project also involved cedar cladding that wraps the structure and big sliding doors opening into a floor-to-ceiling cavity, BUILDING FOUNDATIONS. DELIVERING PRECISION OUR EXPERTISE • Excavation • Hard Landsaping • Certified Drainage • Demolition CONTACT US Phone: 027 554 4371 Email: admin@jscivil.co.nz : : Professional Wall & Floor Tiling : : : : : : Natural Stone Porcelain Mosaics 021 724 174 TERRANOVA TILING CONCEPTS LTD terranovatiling.co.nz SPRAY PAINTING TRADITIONAL PAINTING TEXTURE SPRAYING GIB STOPPING • PAINTING • PLASTERING • EXTERIOR • INTERIOR • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL PROFESSIONAL PLASTERING, PAINTING AND DECORATION SERVICES EMAIL: info@euromasterpainting.co.nz MOBILE: 021 039 7542 www.euromasterpainting.co.nz disappearing into the wall to maximise the view – just examples of detail demanding a high level of craftsmanship and accuracy. Holmesmade Builders also has a renovation in progress on a hill site in Cracroft, where the team is opening up spaces and reconfiguring interiors for modern living. Past projects include an architectural build on Main Road in Redcliffs, designed by Prau Architecture and Urbanism, and a renovation at Charteris Bay. With six full-time staff, Holmesmade maintains a good company culture. “Relationships are really important in building,” Jonathan says. “Not just with clients, but within the team. I want the people who work here to enjoy what they do. They’re not just a pair of hands – we try to find projects they’ll get satisfaction from and to enjoy working together as well.” The company’s ethos is reflected in its long-term staff. Jamie completed his apprenticeship with Holmesmade, rose through the ranks, and now runs jobs himself. Matty, another early team member, started his own company but still collaborates with Jonathan when extra support is needed. Steve joined as a second-year apprentice and now leads projects independently, including the Mt Pleasant build. “We try to create an enjoyable environment for the workers and have some fun along the way.” For Holmesmade Builders, Jonathan says success isn’t measured in revenue alone. It’s seen in the satisfaction of clients, the loyalty of staff, and the pride of finishing jobs on time and within budget. “We love the reward of a high-end new build, but we equally enjoy the challenge of renovations, breathing life back into an older home. It’s about people as much as it is about buildings.”
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