| 107 Jackbuilt Construction BUILDING Jackbuilt Construction is also in the throes of finishing a two-storey renovation project in South Bay. T T Kim Newth Moving home and business to Kaikōura in 2021 has proved a positive move for Jack and Liv Dewhirst, of Jackbuilt Construction. In fact, Kaikōura is Liv’s hometown, and the couple love sharing the coastal lifestyle there with their family of four, ranging in age from nine to 13. Building has been Jack’s passion since leaving school. Jackbuilt is known as an architect’s builder, with a keen eye for detail on niche projects and a reputation for friendly, reliable service. One of their landmark builds in Kaikōura, in conjunction with MC Fearnley Design, was a high-profile architectural home on the Esplanade, completed in 2024. Their latest out-of-the-box project is a country barn-style home for Jack’s aunt and uncle, Paul and Tania Dewhirst. Jack says his aunt and uncle have been closely involved with their home’s evolution at Ellerton Farm, Kekerengu, and chose a commanding spot for the build, now nearing completion. “The site has 360-degree views of the coast – you can see Wellington and down to Kaikōura on a good day,” says Jack. “This home is fully clad in reclaimed Australian hardwood, and we’re also working to get hardwood flooring down too. It’s a spacious single-storey, two-bedroom layout with mezzanine. Tani’s style is more ‘rustic’ than ‘clean contemporary’. Using rough-cut natural timber and features like reclaimed doors provide that texture and character. “My aunt and uncle have been helping out on-site with building too. It was a dream of theirs to be a part of it and that’s what we’re all about – making dreams a reality. They just love it.” Jack’s parents, who imported hardwood from Australia for their home in 2010, still had a contact with a sawmill supplier there. KAIKOURA • BUILDING SUPPLIES & TOOLS • ONSITE FRAME AND TRUSS PLANT • DELIVERY • ESTIMATING • AGGREGATE & LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES KAIKOURA’S LOCAL BUILDING SUPPLY STORE PROUDLY SUPPORTING JACKBUILT CONSTRUCTION John 027 223 586 | Brent 021 130 2503 | Mark 027 229 8537 | Matthew 027 443 8015 148 Mt Fyffe Road, Kaikoura With over 75 years of local operating knowledge, We know Kaikoura. • EARTHWORKS • CIVIL • LOGGING • TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT • KAIKOURA CRANES • QUARRY SUPPLIES • HIRE • LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES • FIREWOOD • HEAVY HAULAGE Proud to be associated with Jackbuilt Construction “We used the same supplier for the flooring, and sourced other reclaimed hardwood within New Zealand, working with a contact in Christchurch.” While the spectacular Kekerengu site has great views, Jack says building in a very exposed position came with its own challenges, including having to meet robust design and engineering standards for wind resilience. He says it has been interesting for him and his team to work with rustic timbers. “It’s natural meeting natural, and that’s where the skill comes in to bring the two together in a way that’s seamless, but not too perfect.” Jackbuilt Construction is also in the throes of finishing a two-storey renovation project in South Bay. It started out as a bathrooms/balcony upgrade, but then grew in scale. “When we started removing the internal linings we could see mould and deterioration in the cladding,” explains Jack. “The client then subsequently decided on new cladding, new insulation and new plumbing, and opted for a bigger balcony, so it ended up being a much more extensive project.” As Jack observes, the South Bay home has very different objectives from the Kekerengu project. It features elements like lacquered oak joinery, and oak tongue and groove in the stairwell. “Everything has to be perfection, and we’re finishing it to a very high level.” Jack and Liv employ a team of six at Jackbuilt Construction, including apprentices and a couple of former apprentices, who have recently completed their training. “My cousin Steve, who I worked with in Christchurch, has also just joined the team.” Kaikoura a good fit for company
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=