| 103 Scarlet Construction recently built this alpine log cabin in the local Mt Lyford Alpine Village Scarlet Construction T T Kelly Deeks “I’ve always loved to build things, especially being able to see what you’re created at the end of the day.” BUILDING Started as a way to help local friends and neighbours with their repairs and rebuilds following the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, North Canterbury’s Scarlet Construction is all about building communities as well as structures. Continuing in the same vein, the company is here to support its customers through all the challenges of the construction process on any job, large or small, says owner Chris Scarlet. Chris had his first foray into the construction industry in the late 1990s when he built for a business specialising in rural and light industrial buildings. After several years working there, he was drawn back to the family farm in Waiau, which he ran until it was sold just after the Kaikōura quake. He bought himself an earthquake-damaged home, and as he was doing it up himself, he was approached by several neighbours and locals who needed help rebuilding their own homes and livelihoods. “I ventured out from my farming career back into building, which had remained a passion of mine over the years,” he says. “I’ve always loved to build things, especially being able to see what you’re created at the end of the day. I ended up getting so busy with repairs and rebuilds that I went for my building practitioner’s licence and started Scarlet Construction.” Chris has been a local for 25 years and is well-known in the community through the different groups and events he has been involved with, so his reputation and rapport within the community were already well established before Scarlet Construction was launched. This enabled him to start his business with a long list of trusting prospective clients, who knew he would handle their project with great communication and support, good planning, transparent pricing, and a high standard of craftsmanship. Today, Scarlet Construction comprises Chris, his wife Helana, two builders, and an apprentice, who is now nearing the end of his time. The team completes a wide range of building projects from new sheds to new homes, and Chris enjoys the fact he can serve his community with his ability to think outside the box, tackle whatever curveballs and challenges may arise, and most importantly of all, connect with his clients in an open and friendly manner. Community at heart of firm’s ethos Scarlet Construction has recently built an alpine log cabin in the local Mt Lyford Alpine Village. An entirely new challenge for the construction team, this project provided several opportunities for growth, learning, and skill-building with a kitset package of hand-hewn logs from Natural Log Homes in Geraldine. “There were quite a few different skills involved in building this home. Because you’re using natural logs, everything has to be ascribed to the logs and because the logs naturally settle as they dry, allowances have to be made for shrinkage.” Fulfilling Chris’s inclination to be helpful, Scarlet Construction is now working on its second project for the Hurunui Community Development Trust’s housing scheme, whereby families are offered financial assistance to own their own home via shared equity. Looking to grow the community by attracting new families and help current community members to put roots down with the purchase of their first home, Hurunui Community Development Trust has purchased kitsets from A1 Homes for Scarlet Construction to build for a customer-friendly rate. KAIAPOI ALUMINIUM JOINERY LTD 1261 MAIN NORTH ROAD, KAINGA CHRISTCHURCH P.O. BOX 62 KAIAPOI 7644 TEL: 03 323 7808 | EMAIL: sales@KAJ.co.nz | www.KAJ.co.nz | Proudly servicing the Hurunui for all your Earth working requirements for the last 22 years. We operate a wide range of machinery including Excavators, Dozers, Rollers, Graders, Loaders, Trucks, Transporters and much more. We match the right size gear for the right job Contact Mike 0272156307 Sam 0273512422 www.mt-lyford.co.nz
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