Award wins started with "a great bunch of apprentices"
Master builder and business owner Ben Redmond is racking up the awards for his company's renovations and builds that House of the Year judges have called "seamless" and "special". But his first forays into competition were on behalf of his apprentices.
He answers five questions following his company's East Coast, Manawatu & Whanganui Registered Master Builders 2017 Supreme Renovation of the Year, Gold Award and Category win, earlier this month.
1: Where did you make your start in the building industry and how did you know that was the direction you wanted to take?
I started my building apprenticeship in my home town of Feilding when I finished school.
I had no intentions of being a builder I just went and helped out one of my older brother's builder friends for the day. We both quickly realised that it was something that I really enjoyed and understood. I think I asked to start my apprenticeship the following day.
I was very motivated by creating something physical and real. I remember driving past sites after hours checking out what we had created that day. I also loved hanging out with the older guys.
2: You and your team are no strangers to awards, with award-winning apprentices as well as a range of Registered Master Builder awards . . . what inspires you to enter these competitions?
I sort of feel obliged to enter competitions. It started with the great bunch of young apprentices that I have worked with. I had always thought they were exceptional young workers and I guess the competition was there to try and recognise this.
It is very rewarding seeing your staff do well, and I still get compliments on their great work ethic and attitude.
I guess it is pretty similar with House of the Year competition - sometimes you just know when you have been part of an exceptional build, and I feel it is a great way to try and future-proof your business.
3: What are the most challenging types of build, and what are the most enjoyable?
All builds are challenging, there is always a certain amount of problem solving, client interaction, cost and stress involved.
Working through these challenges for the best result is always rewarding.
Working on the architectural homes which usually have a large design team can be pretty challenging but also are extremely rewarding. There is so much great stuff to be learnt out there.
4: Is there a build or renovation that sticks in your mind as particularly memorable?
A large rural property that we finished in 2015 is a project that comes to mind. Once again I was privileged to be part of an extremely talented design and build group, which was headed by really motivated and clever clients.
The results were beautiful and I am sure the house will look as good in 50 years time.
5: What are the challenges with building in the Bay - are your clients feeling the effects of the lack of available housing land?
I Have certainly talked to people that have said they would love to build if they could find the right piece of land.
But I think it is the companies that offer house and land packages that are noticing the lack of options when securing land. These guys offer a great product to a lot of people looking to build.
There is a big range in people's budgets, land size and overall building demands. It is just nice to have options.
Hawke's Bay in general is really humming at the moment and has been for about the last 18 months. It does make things tricky at times to keep things rolling smoothly, but we need to appreciate that people out there are really working over and above to try and meet demands and keep people smiling.