| 119 T T Virginia Wright From smooth transition to smooth operation Another stylish architectural build by Holmesmade Builders. Holmesmade Builders BUILDING When Jon Wilks took up Nathan Holmes’ offer to carry on the Holmesmade Builders name 10 years ago, it wasn’t a leap into the unknown – Jon had already spent three years working alongside Nathan, having qualified as a builder in the North Island before moving south. So, when Nathan decided to relocate to Wānaka, the handover felt natural. Clients that already trusted Nathan’s work were reassured to know Jon would be continuing the projects, and with two other builders already on board, the transition was smooth. “He knew my work, and before he left he made sure clients felt confident about me taking over. I already had a good relationship with many of them, so we picked up two big jobs almost straight away,” Jon recalls. Instead of the slow start that many new building companies face, taking on bathrooms or small renovations until their name gets around, Jon and his team stepped straight into a solid flow of projects, including from their close working relationship with AO Architects. After completing a renovation on the side of the hill at Charteris Bay, then a new architectural build near Riccarton Bush, word of mouth quickly spread and the team has been busy ever since. At the heart of Holmesmade Builders is a simple philosophy: people matter. “Relationships are really important in building. 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,” Jon says. That attitude is one of the reasons Holmesmade holds on to its staff. Jon still enjoys being on the tools himself, working alongside Jamie, one of the apprentices, who came on board right at the beginning and has stayed. Another early team member, Matty, was with Holmesmade for seven years before starting his own company. He still works in with Jon when extra hands are needed. “It works really well. We can support each other when things get busy, which helps everyone,” Jon says. Steve joined as a second-year apprentice nine years ago, and is now leading projects himself. Most recently, he’s overseen a striking architectural build on Main Road in Redcliffs, designed by Prau Architecture and Urbanism. “It’s a stylish design in a cool location, crisp and clean with straight lines on the outside and some really interesting detailing inside,” Jon says with pride. Architectural builds can sometimes stretch out with delays and changes, but Jon says the Redcliffs project has been a dream. “It’s run so smoothly, and I think that comes down to trust: the clients trusting us to follow the architect’s detail, and us bringing their vision to life. “There have been very few variations as the house has taken shape, and the brick detailing that flows from the entry through to the interior really ties it all together.” Jon and his team love the reward of a highend new build, but they equally enjoy the challenge of renovations, breathing life back into an older home. T hey don’t build group homes, but just about everything else is on the table. With three teams working together, they take pride in finishing jobs on time, within budget, and with a genuine enjoyment of the work itself. Ten years on from the handover, Jon and his crew are still building on the legacy Nathan began, crafting homes with skill, care, and heart. Exceptional electrical services with a personal touch, De Vries Electrical is the perfect choice for your electrical needs. Proudly Supporting Holmesmade Builders Domestic | Commercial | Industrial 0223103451 aaron.devries@dve.co.nz devrieselectrical.com PERFECT PLASTER Interior Plastering Professionals Supply, Fix, Stop and Paint 021 228 6529 : : Professional Wall & Floor Tiling : : : : : : Natural Stone Porcelain Mosaics 021 724 174 TERRANOVA TILING CONCEPTS LTD terranovatiling.co.nz
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=