can anyone recommend a good design and build company that you’ve used and had...

1 week out from completing a reasonably large build with GJ Rodney, I can provide a further update here. Our build has been a roller coaster, we have had highs, we have had lows but I think with the best level of planning this is an inevitability. We have had our moments, but with constant vigilance, some necessary rework and calling things out, the result looks good. One thing you won’t see with GJ is a delay in getting started, they are quick to get the ball rolling. That said one of the things I would recommend is being a lot tougher with the contract negotiation, specifically LD’s for delay, and a more equitable final payment and warranty period. Their contract is very much their contract and they need to wake up here. In any project building or otherwise you have the delta to manage between sales and planning phase and then the actual delivery. GJ’s selling machine is pretty slick, possibly too slick and you will feel a bump when the post sale experience kicks in. Spend the time and be as specific as possible in the spec, it minimizes cost surprises later and also reduces ambiguity between you said and they said. Read it , study the plans and if you think there is something wrong or a deviation, call it out . Have an independent advisor confirm your concerns. Just don’t assume that everything that is happening is right. If you don’t have confidence in their PM , demand they swap them out. You can’t set and forget a building project , you need to be involved. At the same time you need a PM that is approachable, takes responsibility, can manage pressure that comes with pulling a multithreaded delivery together and is on top of everything. The same applies to sub contractors proposed for the build. Where possible find out who they are, meet them and form your own impression. Happy for you to come and take a look at the result. You can even see the state the property is left in at handover. Email me mjpowell@mac.com I know how big a choice of builder can be. You need to take the time , look around and talk to people who have been through the process with your likely shortlist suppliers. Show homes, brochures and media advertising do not provide a balanced view. The big question would I use GJ again? With the learnings from this build, they would be on my shortlist for sure but with some definite modifications to the whole approach.

Ian Do not use Platinum Homes Rodney as some friends of ours have had a terrible experience with the management and we lost all faith when we built in Karaka with them and would never recommend them at all

Megan you should really give Cranston Homes a call, they are very active in Orewa / Red Beach area. I have just replied to Amenda before I saw your question. We had a design drawn up by a draftsman we are familiar with and got a number of builders to price. Cranston Homes was the only one who went an extra mile – their pointed out a few thing that hugely improved the design and maximised the sun. We were so thrilled. Our house is on the shore. Shoot us a PM we are happy to show you the amazing work they have done for us.

Hi Megan, we are a local design and build company and can provide local contact details from previous clients for referrals. We are based in Whangaparaoa. Website still under construction 🙂 but don’t hesitate to give us a call moving forward. Cheers, Becky@duncanbuildingservices.co.nz

Your build sounds like how our build went with GJs Rodney – The sales man was excellent and very approachable. Then the build started off really fast (with some weather delays which were out of our control but what you’d expect building in Winter). They managed to complete almost everything and get us in before Christmas with the promise that they’d fix the remainder and sort out CCC after everyone was back at work – we believed them, paid all the outstanding money and now are still waiting for them to come back and complete work that was in the contract… They’ve been replying to our emails and stuff so I hope they’ll be back soon to complete everything but it’s a very frustrating position to be in… BUT we love our house, the finish is excellent and more than we hoped for. The design we picked suited us perfectly after a few modifications and everyone there is more than willing to help you. We would definitely build with GJs again but we would make sure the house is just the way we want it with everything completed before paying the last of the money and moving in

Hi Thanks for your post here which is most informative. I’m thinking of building with GJ Rodney – sales machine is slick for sure and they’ve so far outdone anyone else for approach, helpfulness etc., however I’m only in early stages. Also considering working with The House Company who so far I’ve heard good things about. My first build project so any suggestions I’d welcome with appreciation.

We built with GJ in Rodney.. Any building company that guarantees no surprises is smoking crack. The nature of the process will see unforeseens even with best planning. We are overall very satisfied . Happy to share the experience and what we learnt and would do differently next time.

That hear say Irene. Could you be more specific?

Hello Rachel I was wondering how your house build with Cranston is going/ went. We are having some hassles with them as his cash flow seems to be very slow. did you have that hassle?

It is not hear say Ian. It is first hand experience. We contracted Platinum to build our home and once the deposit was made we became irrelevant to their team. We were treated disrespectfully. with arrogance as if we didn’t know anything about building houses. My husband has been building for 50plus years and is now 68 years old. Due to ill health and little return on bank interest we got Platinum to build a home on a section that we not sell to us but could employ them to build after we bought it. The delays, the costing of variations for upgrades were on a average of 35% markup. The franchise owner and his son run the show and we had to take them to court for remedies to be made. I hope thus helps you decide never to build with Platinum Homes

What happened in this court case Irene??, i really want to know!!

I’m also having trouble with these guys. Would love to hear your story and advice. 021 1509 605