Are there any other comments or experiences building with GJ

Another franchise company. Do your homework as just because they are under a franchise group each company is run separately and their head offices do not take any liability for any franchisee going broke. I know of someone involved in a GJG branch failure where HO asked contractors/suppliers to finish off a number of builds at their own cost, eliminating any exposure to GJG’s. Each franchisee is different and builds their own way and are different in their communications. Some are good to deal with but do your homework and seriously look at an independent builder that comes with great references and even better referees as they will be so much cheaper than a franchise. Don’t be pulled into this, because we are big we get cheaper prices. You are paying a minimum of 2-4% franchise fees straight back to HO and then you will pay to support the huge infrastructure of site supervisors, estimators, sales people, admin and of course management. Also if you do go this way, ask if their site supervisor is a qualified LBP. These guys are running jobs and are not qualified builders and SUPERVISE your build. For a little bit of homework you can easily acquire a great builder. If you don’t want to do your homework, go with a franchise and pay the extra and don’t complain with the outcome. Good luck.

Do your homework with the individual franchisee and ask for some addresses you can go and look at that they built. Then go door knocking to see what the previous clients think. Reviews on websites are mostly fake. Also if you have some time and want to do your due diligence get a referral from a local builder and ask for referees and do the same. Franchisees such as GJ are not cheaper as you are paying for franchise fees -2/4% which is added into your build price and then you are paying for the massive infrastructure, including site supervisors that run the build but are not licenced building practitioners or even a builder. The people building are mostly contactors working for these franchisees. Don’t be fooled by their sales people advising they get better rates on product making them cheaper, as that is misleading by the time they put a double digit markup on you’re already paying more than the local guy you could build with successfully. The biggest problem you have between local independent builders and franchisees is the communication. Local builders were historically bad at communication and not sales oriented but most are getting better and will allow you to have more input into the build than a franchised coy would. Also to note, the good builders are not working for franchised coys but are out there doing their own thing and doing it well. The franchised coys pay their builders low rates so one should question the quality of the franchised build first and foremost. Our neighbour just built with a franchise – 42 week build time for a 200m2 simple brick clad house!!! Our neighbour (independent builder) just completed a 400m2 house (upmarket spec) in 20 weeks. Choose wisely

Note please. Double up with some comments changed as page came up not working so rewrote. My apologies.

Thank you for the advise, very much appreciated. Extreme amount of building happening in Marlborough a.t.m especially in Blenheim with 5 new subdivisions…all at once! Greed does have a way of biting one in the bum! All advise is taken on board and appreciated.