118 | T T Rosa Watson In demand for high-end projects The key for J & L is delivering on those high-end projects and maintaining strong client relationships. J & L Construction BUILDING In its first four years, Christchurch building firm J & L Construction has established itself in the city as a go-to for high-end architectural builds and commercial fit-outs. J & L Construction has a broad set of skills within many different areas of the construction industry across new builds and from foundations to renovations, commercial developments, and shop fit-outs. Rhys Johnstone and Ben Lagan started the company in 2020, having worked together for nine years. “We both worked for the same guy and did our apprenticeships with him,” Rhys tells Business South. When the boss retired, it was time to go out on their own. It was just the two of them for a year before a team member was brought on board. “And then it became five or six pretty quick. Now there’s 10 of us, plus subcontractors here and there,” Rhys says. They had picked up work with developer Peebles Group, who bought up buildings to renovate and lease, which provided the fledgling J & L with plenty of work. They recently worked with DUO Group on a centrepiece brick building on Cranford Street, named Cranford Corner. The team is currently building a high-end home at Cashmere Estate, due to be completed in September, and an extensive renovation in Fendalton. They are also busy with a number of re-clads and fit-outs. “We’ve got a fair bit on our plate,” Rhys says. Their work is set to reach a large audience when a build due to start in September is showcased on the popular television show Grand Designs. The home was put forward to the show by the architectural firm, Young Architects. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s a great opportunity for advertising,” Rhys says. The build is a complex, 400sqm home using precast concrete, which would be a good challenge, he says. “It’s time-consuming before we get a roof on it, basically.” The team has worked with Young Architects previously on spec houses in the city. Rhys and Ben had also worked with them in their previous roles. Generally, J & L work in teams across the city - a team of four, a team of three and a team of two, with two staff back at the Colombo St office in the central city. Ben remains on the tools running multiple jobs, and Rhys takes care of project management, visiting each site, managing contracts and pricing up jobs. The pair has only ever known high-end building, he says. “That’s what we grew up doing. We worked for a very high-end builder.” The key for J & L was delivering on those high-end projects and maintaining strong client relationships. “Which is the main thing, having those relationships.” Producing quality work that spoke for itself was also important. “Our portfolio’s really what sells us.” Rhys says the industry is seeing better products arrive on the scene, and at better prices. This would help to provide more options for customers and create competition. An example was alternative insulation options such as Earthwool batts. This would be particularly beneficial for townhouses, which are growing in number in the city, he says. “Everybody’s going to make their town-houses slightly better.” Looking to the future, an opportunity has arisen in Queenstown working on a largescale high-density project, which Ben hopes will see the firm grow. “We’re just working through that now. There’s plenty on the horizon, which is positive and exciting.” For all your roofing needs in Christchurch. 021 041 3750 jamie@cardroofing.co.nz cardroofingchristchurch
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