Build & Renovate 26

FREE ISSUE 26 2020

Mortgage Holidays

The pros and cons of deferring mortgage repayments

Red Rock Lane A home boasting elegance and simplicity

The right price 5 tips for house price negotiations

POSTPANDEMIC PROPERTY Where does the housing market go from here?

Creating a hassle-free winter home

Low maintenance home design for busy people

Getting ready to

entertain

Preparing your place for the resumption of festivities

If you just wing each interview, the direction, tone and outcome of each conversation can vary wildly, making it more difficult to compare candidates to each other.

The outcome of this can be that, despite spending all that time interviewing people, to a certain extent, you’re still none the wiser.

Then, the chances are, when it comes to deciding who to hire, you’re going to go with your gut, as you won’t reliably be able to compare one answer to another because you didn’t ask each candidate a few standard questions you can compare them by.

So, a little planning can go a long way towards helping you make an informed and considered choice of who to hire, as opposed to just sitting down with each individuals, having a completely random chat, and then hoping you get it right.

Mistake 2

- OVERVALUING EXPERIENCE

It is risky to bet too heavily on how much experience a person has, when there are so many factors that determine whether someone will be successful in the role and a good fit for your organisation.

An applicant’s skills, knowledge, aptitude and personality all factor into the equation.

Because experience is a tangible and measurable component, it is very easy to overvalue it above less easily measurable factors such as intelligence, drive, and other components of raw talent.

Experience accumulates with time in the role and skills can be learned and acquired.

Hiring new employees is not an easy process.

You’ve got to wade through a mountain of applications, weed out the few you’re interested in and then interview all the candidates – all while still running your company.

But if you want your company to grow, you need to hire the right people.

You need people that are not only right for the now but can also help you move the business towards bigger and better things in the future.

This is especially so for smaller businesses and startups because they have fewer employees and a limited income with which to work.

For these companies every single dollar they spend on finding and hiring an employee can affect their longer term success, meaning it’s vital that they avoid making major mistakes while hiring.

But the trouble is that running a small business is hard work and there often simply isn’t the time to commit to a thorough hiring process; and as result, corners get cut.

The good news is that your competitors are probably making these mistakes whilst hiring as well. This means there’s an opportunity for you to seize; to waste less time and money by hiring right so you can get back to running your company.

Mistake 1

- NOT HAVING AN INTERVIEW PLAN

The single biggest hiring mistake small business owners make is winging it or not having an interview plan. At best they’ll have a few questions written down on a piece of paper, but little else.

You need to treat an interview like a deductive science. You’ve sorted through all the resumes and selected the best individuals to be interviewed – but now you need a better way of evaluating their suitability for the role than just having a chat and going with your gut.

You achieve this by having an interview plan.

First – decide what questions are the most important, and ask them to each candidate.

Your next great employee might be someone with limited experience, but who has fantastic aptitude and flexibility.

Placing too much stock on a heavy list of qualifications in your job description, or only considering applicants with x amount of experience and not considering other factors, means you might be turning a blindeye to someone better suited to the role and your company’s culture.

However, this is a double-edged sword and there is a flip side.

If you’re looking to hire someone without any experience in the hope of finding someone cheaper – you might be buying into a false economy.

Ignoring a candidate with what you consider to be necessary experience in the hope of saving a few thousand dollars a year by hiring an unproven person, might not actually save you anything, due to the amount of on-the-job training and potentially decreased productivity the less experienced employee will deliver.

So, as with all aspects of running your business, you need to find a balance.

But it definitely pays to consider more than just the experience a candidate comes with.

You want someone with the potential to grow into the perfect for your company.

Mistake 3

- ASSUMING THE HIRING PROCESS ENDS ONCE THEY’RE HIRED

This is a common mistake many small business owners make.

An employee’s productivity is comprised of 50 percent ability [the reasons you hired them], and 50 percent of what happens once they’re in the workplace.

So conducting a good interview, offering that promising person the job and them saying ‘yes’ is only half the task.

Employees need to be properly induced and introduced to your company, well trained and supported.

It doesn’t matter how impressed you are with someone’s potential – poor training, insufficient access to resources, and little feedback will add up to poor job satisfaction and this will impact their performance.

So recruitment doesn’t stop at the ‘welcome aboard’ handshake – you need to make sure they are introduced, trained and supported every step of the way.

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If you would like to talk to one of our consultants about your recruitment needs, please contact us on

(03) 943 9505 | 022 648 5960 | info@nzrecruit.co.nz

www.nzrecruit.co.nz

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This doesn’t have to be an iron-clad, exactly repeatable process – but it does need to have some consistency to it so you can accurately assess candidates’ answers in relation to each other.

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Second – know what answers you’re looking for. Then you can assess each answer objectively and place candidates in pecking order.

CY PAC

THE PERFECT TILE TO SUIT YOUR BUDGET HASSLE FREE INSTALLATION FROM OUR IN-HOUSE TEAM A RANGE THAT IS UNEQUALLED IN CANTERBURY SPECIALISTS IN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND ARCHITECTURAL

35 Mandeville Street, Riccarton, Christchurch 03 348 1099 admin@designastyle.co.nz www.designastyle.co.nz

Contents

In this issue 6

11

8

7

6 COMPONENTS FOR YOUR

OWN CREATION

Next generation tapware technology

13 MORTGAGE HOLIDAYS

The pros and cons of deferring mortgage repayments

8 RED ROCK LANE

14 THE RIGHT PRICE

A home boasting effortless elegance

Five tips for house price negotiations

10 SUPER STYLE

15 GETTING READY TO ENTERTAIN

26 WHAT TO CONSIDER

WHEN DOWNSIZING

A case study in simple lines

11 STUNNING SIMPLICITY

Bathroom designs that give more with less

12 POST-PANDEMIC PROPERTY

Where does the housing market go from here?

PUBLISHER Academy Group - 38 Lowe Street, Addington, Christchurch 8011

MANAGING DIRECTOR Gary Collins

GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS Kylie Palermo

Preparing your home for the resumption of festivities

Low maintenance home design for busy people

16 WATERSIDE DESIGN

30 GETTING READY FOR WINTER

Creating warm and welcoming spaces

Creating a hassle-free winter home

18 TOP TIPS FOR AUTUMN GARDENING 31 LIKE NEW AGAIN

Get your garden set to bloom in spring

SALES MANAGER

Renovation value adding tips

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Monice Kruger - 03 961 5083 monice@academygroup.co.nz

Jarred Shakespeare - 03 961 5088 jarred@academygroup.co.nz

EDITOR

Louise Keates - 03 961 5050 louisek@academygroup.co.nz

Jonathon Taylor - 03 961 5098 editor@academygroup.co.nz

ADMINISTRATION

ISSN 2463-381X (print) ISSN 2463-3828 (online)

Disclaimer: This publication is provided on the basis that A-Mark Publishing is not responsible for the results of any actions taken on the basis of information in these articles, nor for any error or omission from these articles and that the firm is not hereby engaged in rendering advice or services. A-Mark Publishing expressly disclaim all and any liability and responsibility to any person in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done, or omitted to be done, by any such a person in reliance, whether wholly or partially upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. Advertising feature articles are classified as advertising content and as such, information contained in them is subject to the Advertising Standards Authority Codes of Practice. Contents Copyright 2012 by A-Mark Publishing (NZ) Ltd. All rights reserved. No article or advertisement may be reproduced without written permission. 2,630 printed copies ABC circulation as at 30/03/17

4 | B&R

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TGV Tongue and Groove Panel System for Lining Walls and Ceilings Another winning lining option from Juken that’s as tough as nails. Ideal for home renovations, new builds, retail shop fit-outs and especially suited to the ‘Man Cave’ or your Farm Shed where there may be limited fixing. Triboard TGV Panels can be joined off the frame, i.e. no studs – no problem. 400mm wide, DIY size is easy to handle on-site and easy to take home in a van or trailer.

keep dry

impact resistant

For more information go to jnl.co.nz or contact us on

(09) 373 3933

sales@jnl.co.nz

Sustainable forestry producing innovative premium wood solutions for an evolving building industry www.buildandrenovate.co.nz

B&R | 5

DIY

Components for your own creation Next generation tapware technology Kohler has introduced the next generation in tapware – a collection that takes its cue from the simple, minimalist lines of the Bauhaus movement yet comprises a choice of distinctly different spouts and handles that can be interchanged.

Designed in Kohler’s Parisian design studio, Components was inspired by the Bauhaus movement and ensures each element, from spouts and handles to the accessories that complete the space, is designed to feel like a minimalist piece of modern sculpture.

In a bold and clever move, where you become the designer, Kohler has released a range of tapware components.

The idea is so consumers can create their very own, completely individual look.

Components comprise a choice of three spouts and four handles to create an unrivalled tapware range in terms of quality engineering and high-tech materials, such as its ultra-smooth ceramic discs.

Users tend to choose a spout design first and then the handles – all are in polished chrome but further finishes are tipped to be added at a later date.

By combining a curated mix of components – handle and spout – a unique and bespoke look can be created that is in perfect lockstep with the architecture of the space.

With three different spout shapes and four handles, options are virtually limitless.

The Kohler Components collection is available nationally. Go to www.kohler.co.nz details on the full range.

We’ll help you find the right floor to make your place a home. Carpet to laminate, vinyl & tiles - we know floors and how to help you get your dream one.

Resene has all the quality paint, wallpaper, accessories and professional advice you need for your decorating projects.

5 Empire St Kaitaia Phone 09 408 4362

5 Empire St Kaitaia Phone 09 408 0347

www.carpetcourt.nz

www.resene.co.nz

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Life and Style

Lifestyles

Hex Shelf The soft tone of the wood contrasting with the black and white makes this angular shelving a unique touch to your living space. Coupled with a mirror, this is a real small space saver for your home.

By Claire Wright

RRP: $39 www.fluxboutique.co.nz

Davis & Waddell Rectangular Serve Board Perfect for entertaining guests or having a snack night with the family, this Davis & Waddell serve board from its Fine Foods selection makes entertaining a breeze. Carrying your spread to guests has never been easier with the board’s iron legs – they’re also easily removable for easy storage.

RRP: $65 www.davisandwaddell.com.au

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless Headphones

RRP: $699

Reminiscent of studio headphones from the rock and roll era, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless headphones pair gorgeous sound quality with elegant design. The real leather earpads and headband ensure exceptional comfort and durability. Not only that, but its wireless capabilities connect seamlessly to your smartphone for easy listening.

www.dyson.co.nz

RRP: $649

Dyson Hot + Cool Fan Heater With fall days here, you don’t quite know what to expect with the weather. Dyson’s Hot + Cool fan heater lets you control the exact temperature so you can heat and cool rooms. It’s 75 percent quieter than traditional personal fans and heaters and uses patented air multiplier technology for even temperature control throughout the room.

www.en-nz.sennheiser.com

Mexican Matrimonial Hammock This two-person, handwoven net hammock uses a traditional Mexican weave for a supportive and comfortable experience. Woven in Yucatán, Mexico, the open net ensures airflow, especially when lounging during sweltering hot days.

RRP: $129.95 www.hammockshop.co.nz www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 7

Hot Homes

Red Rock Lane Nestled into a terraced hillside site, this twobedroom house has been positioned to enjoy panoramic views east to the Southern Alps.

All living spaces are accommodated on the first floor within two dark stained cedar box forms.

The more dominant north box, with its extensively glazed lounge, cantilevers out dramatically over a 13m lap pool and pool room below.

The main stair dissects the two forms leading up from the turquoise blue waters on the west to the silver dollar gum that boarders the internal courtyard on the east.

Titled Red Rock Lane, the design by Nic Curragh of Objects Ltd, won the Residential New Home between 150sqm and 300sqm Architectural Design Award, at last year’s ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.

Competition judges said, “This home has precise, careful, clean frames. It handles the underside of its floating volume well. The courtyard tucked back against the hillside is a great addition.”

Title: Red Rock Lane.

Architect: Nic Curragh of Objects Ltd. Award: Residential New Home between 150sqm and 300sqm Architectural Design Award.

Location: Redcliffs.

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www.buildandrenovate.co.nz

Hot Homes

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 9

Bathrooms

Super style for any bathroom Hitting the sweet spot in bathroom vanity design is the very latest collection from Kohler.

Toobi II, designed and manufactured in New Zealand, takes its cue from classic midcentury design, where form follows function and each piece is a study in simple lines and highquality workmanship.

The wall hung vanities come in two sizes – 600mm and 900mm – and in a choice of three woodgrain finishes: Slate, Midnight and Sand Dune – with two configurations.

The single drawer version has a generous depth for taller bathroom products, while the double drawer model features a concealed upper drawer for easy access to smaller items such as cosmetics and toiletries.

Standard features include German-engineered Hafele Nova Pro Scala premium runners, soft closing and smooth-run drawers, sealed edges to all panels, and integrated overflow and click-up waste. The vanity tops are made from Polymarble and feature an integrated single basin.

The Kohler collection of Toobi II wall hung vanities is available nationally from Kohler retailers.

RRPs: Toobi II 600mm WH vanity with Double Drawer: from $1,679.

Toobi II 600mm WH vanity with Single Drawer: from $1,499.

Toobi II 900mm WH vanity with Double Drawer: from $1,949.

Toobi II 900mm WH vanity with Single Drawer: from $1,779.

DIGITAL BROCHURES NOW ONLINE Open 7 days 37 Mandeville St, Riccarton, Christchurch homeideas.co.nz 10 | B&R

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz

Bathrooms

Stunning simplicity This bathroom design captures and complements the boldness of the home’s contemporary architecture.

The design, from Detail by Davina Sutton, has modern finishes with minimal fittings and fixtures.

It has an enclosed walk-in shower zone and a freestanding bath. The palette is bold and strong, with a sense of personality.

Texture and form are provided by the mixed-format of tiling.

A medium timber-look tile has been set out in a herringbone format and washes up the two end walls to provide a sense of drama, while a natural stone tile provides a modern calming effect.

The superbly crafted bathroom won the Supreme Bathroom Design Second Runner Up, Colour Excellence, in the Canterbury

Davinia Sutton

Title of bathroom: Fendalton Residence 2.

Designer: Davinia Sutton of Detail by Davinia Sutton.

Region: Canterbury.

Award: Supreme Bathroom Design Second Runner Up, Colour Excellence.

division of the NKBA 2019 Excellence in Design awards.

Judges said the design stood out straight away.

“There are so many things going on, but it all works so well.

“The textures and tones all seamlessly work together, and the materials have been selected with confidence. This is a clever space with beautiful details.”

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 11

Property Market

Postpandemic property Where does the housing market go from here?

The latest QV House Price Index data for March provides us with a view of the housing market as New Zealand headed into lockdown on 25th March.

But what it doesn’t tell us is what happens beyond the proverbial brick wall that the Covid-19 lockdown has created.

The data shows the property market was continuing to perform strongly throughout early-mid March, with all 16 of the major cities monitored showing quarterly value growth for the fourth consecutive month, indicating strength right across the country.

The average value nationally increased 6.1 percent year on year and the average value is currently sitting at $728,276. This represents an increase of 2.6 percent over the past three months.

QV general manager David Nagel says, “The housing market was ticking along nicely leading up to lockdown, although in the final week we could see the impacts of uncertainty starting to have an effect.

“Real estate agents and developers were rushing to get homes listed in anticipation of a change in the playing field. But purchasers were less bullish and less willing to commit as the market was heading into unchartered territory. Then everything changed on 25th March.

“Nobody knows what post-lockdown market conditions will look like. We’ve never been through anything remotely like this.

Carpet & Vinyl Experts Phone: (03) 366 7434 www.flooringspecialists.co.nz

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“We also do not know how long this will last. What we do know is there will still be a property market. There will still be sellers, although likely only a fraction of what we’re used to. And there will still be buyers that have the means and confidence to purchase property,” he says.

“What happens to house prices beyond this point will be determined by market forces and the changes in supply and demand.”

David says up to this point we were seeing multiple buyers often with plentiful funds available, competing for tightly held stock.

Going forward the supply of houses for sale will likely be reduced. The pipeline for new builds has been impacted as has almost every other industry during lockdown.

Most New Zealanders will look to consolidate their position in their current home as the country works its way out of a forecast recession.

Selling an existing property and upgrading to a different home will likely be furthest from their mind. Although some may be forced to downsize or even relocate to a new city in order to gain employment.

But banks will be patient, particularly in the short term with a multitude of other, softer options available like mortgage holidays, to avoid a flood or forced sales.

Demand for buying a house will also likely be down significantly. First home buyers that were active prior to lockdown may have lost some buying power with both their investment savings and Kiwisaver accounts taking a hit.

Their house deposit and employment status may look quite different after the lockdown ends, delaying their entry into the market.

Others that have fared better under the lockdown may see this as an opportunity, while interest rates are low, to dominate what’s left of the market.

With many first home buyers no longer competing, plus a likely post-lockdown slashing of net migration numbers no longer feeding housing demand, we could see a buyers’ market develop.

“Multi-unit developments currently under construction will be completed after the lockdown ends, but contract settlements could be impacted by sunset clauses within some purchase contracts,” David says.

“That effectively puts a time limit on the contract’s validity, which could come into play depending on the length of the lockdown.

Developers will take a cautious approach to new projects and will be revisiting the viability of each development based on new selling levels.

“What’s most likely is we will see transaction volumes drop significantly from pre-lockdown levels. House listings will dry up with only those having to sell, for work or financial reasons, wanting to enter an uncertain market.

“Buyers that have the means will likely dominate the market, but with limited stock available, buyers will probably exercise patience and this could force prices down for vendors that simply have to sell. But by how much?

Nobody knows.

“The market will take considerable time to settle to a new normal after the lockdown ends.

“There will be pre-lockdown transaction settlements that will occur, plus a very limited number of transactions that occurred during the lockdown. But with limited transactions after lockdown ends, we can expect a market filled with uncertainty at least through to the end of 2020 as the economy finds its feet again.”

Home Finances

Mortgage holidays – what you need to know

Banks have begun taking applications for mortgage holidays from consumers affected by Covid-19.

Consumer NZ’s advice A mortgage holiday will give you a break from making regular payments when your finances are under pressure. But it’s not a holiday from interest: interest will continue to be charged on your debt. You’ll be paying more in the long term to repay your mortgage.

So, Consumer NZ looks at the pros and cons of deferring mortgage repayments.

What is a mortgage holiday?

A mortgage holiday lets you temporarily stop making repayments on your home loan if you’re under financial pressure.

Homeowners who are struggling financially as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown can apply to their bank for a six-month mortgage holiday.

How does it work?

Each bank has its own process.

You normally need to fill in an application form on your bank’s website. The bank will then contact you to discuss your circumstances.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Anyone affected financially

by Covid-19 can apply for a mortgage holiday.

What happens to interest charges?

There’s no holiday from interest charges. Your debt continues to accrue interest during a mortgage holiday.

The “holiday” only lets you defer repayments – interest still accumulates in the meantime.

This means it will cost more to repay your mortgage and may take longer.

What should I consider before applying for a mortgage holiday?

Don’t just apply for a mortgage holiday because it’s an option.

If you’re not concerned about your ability to pay, keep up your regular repayments.

If finances are tight, talk to your bank about reducing your regular

“

There’s no holiday from interest charges.

Your debt continues to accrue interest during a mortgage holiday.

”

repayments, rather than applying for a mortgage holiday. This means you’ll still be reducing your debt.

If you’re currently paying more than the minimum required to repay your loan, you can ask your bank to reduce repayments (you can increase them again when you’re in a better financial position).

I don’t think my bank is treating me fairly. What should I do?

You can make a complaint to the Banking Ombudsman: bankomb.org.nz. The ombudsman can look at most types of complaints about banks.

If you need to apply for a mortgage holiday, keep it as short as possible. The longer you put repayments on hold, the more you’ll pay in interest.

A three-month mortgage holiday will be better than taking a sixmonth holiday.

Consider other options before applying for a mortgage holiday.

Reducing your regular mortgage repayments could help lessen the financial load while still helping you to reduce your debt.

DELIVERING

MORE

If you’ve got a fixed-rate loan that’s coming up for review, remember interest rates have come down so you should be able to get a better rate. Look at what other household costs you may be able to cut to give you some breathing room.

What are banks’ obligations?

Banks have legal obligations to act as responsible lenders.

This means they must treat borrowers reasonably and in an ethical manner at all times, including when a borrower suffers financial hardship.

(09) 423 6044

WHAREHINE.NZ

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 13

Property Market

The right price

5

tips for house-price negotiations

Whether through auction, or increasingly, through negotiation or sealed bid, buying or selling a home is a seriously big deal and negotiating transactions of such high value is not something we are often exposed to.

With that in mind, Canstar has compiled a ‘go-to list’ to help people get the deal that’s right for them.

recent sales in the area (this will usually include details of how long properties are taking to sell), to get clued up.

1. Do your research beforehand

2. Don’t sweat it

A good knowledge of the housing market in and around the areas you are interested in is essential before you even start looking for a home. You can’t negotiate or decide your bidding limit if you don’t have a ballpark figure of how much it should be worth.

One of the best tips for negotiating house prices is to leave emotion at the door.

This can be especially difficult if you’ve found your dream home and are desperate to buy it, but it’s important to keep your emotions in check and negotiate using your head, not your heart.

Check out Trade Me property or ask your local agents for a list of

3. Don’t play games If it’s obvious that you’re really attached to the house you’re buying, then a smart real estate agent and owner can use that against you to make you pay extra.

Conversely, however, make sure the agent knows you are interested! Acting aloof and disinterested could mean that you may not be seen as a serious buyer.

Clear communication is essential so that everyone knows where they stand, but don’t give away your best offer (or your walk-away price). It is the job of the seller’s agent to get you to pay as close to the expected price as possible and if they know what your top offer is, they’ll push you far as they can – and even beyond, if they think they need to.

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Feel free to simply let the agent know that you want to buy a property at market value and what you consider the property’s market value to be.

4. Know your upper and lower limits You wouldn’t go and buy a fancy new laptop without knowing whether you could afford it, and that’s especially true when purchasing something as expensive as a house.

If you’ve already got a preapproval on your home loan, then you know exactly what price range

you can afford and it’s important not to go over your limits.

This is especially important in what can be a heated environment of an auction where bidding can get frenetic.

Again, this comes back to checking your emotions at the door so that you can get yourself the best possible price and not end up in a financial nightmare.

5. Explain when making low offers If you think major repairs or renovations are required to make a property liveable, it may be reasonable to make a lower offer than you otherwise would.

However, it is vital to explain why your offer is where it is as you don’t want to come across as a chancer, damaging your credibility as a genuine buyer.

As the number of houses sold at auction remains muted, how to negotiate house prices is ultimately about the back-andforth between buyer and seller.

Like with most major purchases, preparation, good communication, and knowing your limits are keys to getting a good price for your new home.

So, do plenty of research, think all your offers and decisions through, and ensure you’re prepared with the right home loan for when things do fall into place.

Getting ready to entertain

Home Life

Preparing your home for the resumption of festivities

“

As our world gradually returns to normal following the Coronavirus pandemic and its associated lockdowns, isolation and social distancing, it’s as good a time as any to start thinking about entertaining at home… because we can and many of us will have missed social interaction.

However, if you’re not feeling quite prepared for getting family and friends together, here are some simple tips to get your place where it needs to be.

Make a list, check it twice Make sure you have two checklists; one for the tasks you need to do and a second for the corresponding equipment.

One way to organise things is by breaking up the lists into inside and outside jobs to easily divide your time over a few weekends.

Freshen up Get those windows and doors open and the fresh air flowing.

Being shut up tight can lead to pollen and dust lying dormant.

So welcome as much fresh air and light in as you can.

Mould, be gone!

If it has been particularly rainy in your area recently, there is a

outdoor stairs and pavement which can become slippery.

Hire a pressure washer to blast away the grime and return your paved and concreted areas to their former glory.

Dream of steam Using a steam cleaner is an incredibly efficient method of removing dust stuck deep inside the carpet, as well as stale odours. A steam cleaner is far superior to a traditional vacuum cleaner, keeping the home cleaner for longer.

is to aerate the lawn with a lawn corer, which will keep water from building up under the top growth, keeping your lawn looking green and in pristine condition.

Make sure you have two checklists; one for the tasks you need to do and a second for the corresponding equipment. One way to organise things is by breaking up the lists into inside and outside jobs to easily divide your time over a few weekends.

THE DOMESTIC AND SMALL COMMERCIAL GLASS EXPERTS

”

Don’t pardon the garden Get rid of any dead branches and other build-up on your garden bed and lawn; this will encourage new growth. Another good trick

chance of mould build up. Check everywhere you can for mould growth, especially areas that don’t get much sunlight, behind the bed and drawers can often be hotspots for mould.

Use a pressure washer to blast away any grime or mould. Moss and mould can also be an issue on www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 15

Kitchens

Waterside design This kitchen was designed for a new holiday home, located on a beautiful waterway in the Coromandel, by Michelle Gillbanks of Kitchens by Design in Auckland.

The warm and welcoming space features organic and earthy hues, materials and textures.

The space is the hub of the six-bedroom home, sitting centre stage, adjacent to exterior decking and the busy waterway activities and views.

The clients required a storage capability for up to 10 guests to accommodate holiday food, platters and wine and beer.

This storage requirement was translated into a large, working scullery that houses a large

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fridge and freezer to fit prepared platters and leftovers, and tall storage for excess food and drinks.

It received two awards at the NKBA 2019 Excellence in Design Awards: Auckland Chapter Kitchen Recognition Award, and Supreme Kitchen Design First Runner-Up. Judges described the design as a clever use of space. “It is particularly nice to see a wall without appliances as a focal point and the plant detail is a lovely addition.

“Materials and colour combinations are successful, including the use of natural timber with the grain popping against the concrete.

“There is a warmth to the design, with a great use of texture. Everything works cohesively in the space; even the way the bar stools match the floor and the shelving.”

Michelle Gillbanks

Title of kitchen: WaterWays Kitchen.

Designer: Michelle Gillbanks of Kitchens

by Design.

Awards: Auckland Chapter Kitchen Recognition Award, Supreme Kitchen Design First Runner-Up. Region: Auckland.

RELM Quantity Surveyors With so much at stake, so many choices, decisions, legislations… it makes sense to start with us.

At RELM Quantity Surveyors our team of experienced quantity surveyors work for you, preparing detailed schedules ready for you to compile your tenders, allowing you to commit your time to running current projects.

At RELM Quantity Surveyors we offer more than a per-square-metre rate.

A lot of factors affect the pricing of your construction project starting from foundations, local government rules, geographic areas, types of finishes, and style of house to name a few.

We work closely with people who design and construct, as well as those in the retail supply chain allowing our team of quantity surveyors to develop a strong understanding of construction materials, techniques and costs.

We break your building components down and measure using our database of costings to calculate an estimated total cost.

In some instances, we can also shop around for prices.

With a RELM Quantity Surveyors' estimate in hand, you can commit to working drawings with confidence or tender your job knowing everyone is pricing the same thing, allowing the same standard of finish and products in your build.

Ask about our “Concept to Tender” package, where we can estimate costs at the early stages of design, and give you pricing updates as your plan develops to help you stay on track and make your build more efficient.

Once you are ready, we finalise detailed schedules ready for tender.

We can suggest innovative options, so your construction project meets expectations and budgets.

At RELM Quantity Surveyors we are seeing a shift in the market to more architectural styling and innovative new products. These all add to the complexity of the build, which require a greater understanding of materials and labour to provide accurate estimates.

With recent natural events having a huge impact on structural design a wide range of solutions have been introduced. A lot these solutions are complex and require in depth scheduling to ensure all materials and labours are included in your tender price.

In the past the role of the quantity surveyor in residential construction has been limited. However, with the changes in regulations, construction methods,

materials and innovation in design, an understanding of costs earlier is more important than ever before.

and overall costs to help your decisions process from early concept through to full consent drawings.

RELM Quantity Surveyors can offer conceptual pricing to help you understand you budget earlier on, through to full schedule to enable contractors to accurately price your project.

Working with RELM Quantity Surveyors you are receiving an impartial view of materials

RELM Quantity Surveyors 49 Main Road Pleasant Point South Canterbury (03) 614 8888 info@relm.co.nz www.relm.co.nz

www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz

Issue #120 - B&C | 7

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 17

In the Garden

Top tips for

autumn gardening

Autumn is a great season for spending time out in the garden getting your hands dirty. It’s all about preparing your lawns and garden beds so they’re ready for winter and set to bloom in spring.

Clean your gutters and drains

Perfect time to plant

As the leaves start falling, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your gutters. Clean your gutters out so they don’t overflow in early autumn showers, which can lead to water damage inside or outside your home.

Autumn is a good time for planting a range of fruit, vegetables and flowers. You can find out what to grow in your area with the Bunnings garden calendar.

If your drainpipe is blocked, stick your garden hose down the pipe and turn it on to flush it out.

Walk around your home and check that your drains aren’t covered with leaves or rubbish. If they are, you can have fun scooping it out.

Adding 100mls of neat bleach helps unclog your drains.

Get your vegie patch going by planting seedlings of broccoli, cauliflower, silverbeet, broad beans, carrots and strawberries so that you can harvest them in spring.

Winter flowering annuals such as pansies, sweet pea and marigold add colour to the garden but need to be planted now to maximise

flowering time. It’s also the right time to plant lavender, ferns and hydrangeas.

Make your own compost You can put the fallen leaves to good use in your garden by composting them and returning their valuable nutrients to your soil.

You can make compost with a combination of leaves, lawn clippings, fertiliser or manure, fruit and vegie scraps and water.

It’s important to keep it balanced so never add too much of one thing. Using a garden fork to turn your compost occasionally helps it to decompose.

Mulch your garden beds Now is an ideal time for mulching, which will improve your soil quality, keep it moist, stop it eroding and stop weeds from growing. There are a number of different mulch options you can choose to suit different garden beds.

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18 | B&R

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Before you put down mulch, remove any weeds. Your mulch should be 5-10cm thick.

Look after your lawns Autumn is a time when your lawns can start to recover from the hot summer. As the rains start, you’ll find your lawn grows faster and needs more mowing.

Make sure you raise the blades on your mower to cut it no shorter than 5cm, as long grass makes better use of low sunlight.

Now is also a good time to feed your lawn before the winter, when the grass grows slower.

Apply a slow release fertiliser to help develop a strong root system and thicker grass.

“

Get your vegie patch going by planting seedlings of broccoli, cauliflower, silverbeet, broad beans, carrots and strawberries so that you can harvest them in spring.

”

Clear any fallen leaves from your grass because they can block the sunlight and create dry brown patches.

Time to start pruning

Pruning is the best way to promote new growth and can encourage late autumn flowering.

Prune back any old growth on plants by trimming at the base. Trimming your hedges allows in light and air in encourages new growth.

Keep your tools sharp Maintaining your garden tools makes using them much easier and can extend their life.

Sharpen and disinfect your pruners with a cleaning agent and apply oil Lightly sand any tools with wooden handles and apply linseed oil to keep them smooth If your tools have rusted, apply penetrating oil and scrub with steel wool to remove it.

Oil the tools to prevent rust from returning.

Information provided courtesy of www.bunnings.co.nz.

Conference Venues

Creating conferences that connect Creating effective conferences involves a combination of content, creativity, co-ordination and collaboration.

Getting the venue, accommodation and other details right contributes so much to the overall success of any conference.

• 3.

Negotiates good rates.

• 4.

Works within your budget.

There is a venue for every budget.

So here are a few factors to consider when choosing your conference organiser and conference destination:

5.

•

Honest appraisal.

You need no surprises when you get there.

• 6.

Efficient and professional.

Communication has to be efficient in order for you to meet your deadlines.

• 7.

Listens to what you want. Each company and conference have different requirements.

• 8.

Incorporates all requirements. Activities, guest speakers, transport etc.

• 1. Knowledge of venues.

We all know we can’t rely on the internet to show us the details that are important to the running of a successful conference.

• 2. Keeps up to date with venues. A change of ownership etc can change the standards of the venues.

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 19

Grand Designs

Hidden extras & intelligent design Director at Sheppard & Rout Jasper van der Lingen shares the latest in hidden and intelligent design.

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Grand Designs

Making good use of stunning locations and using environmentally aware design to create stunning visions, Sheppard & Rout has been providing tailor-made architectural solutions to suit each individual client since 1982.

Sheppard & Rout director Jasper van der Lingen, who joined David Sheppard as a director in 2006, talks about different aspects of what makes quality design and architecture. He has worked on complex projects like the Christchurch International Airport Expansion, Burwood Hospital and the BNZ centre in Christchurch.

When talking about some of his favourite residential projects to work on, Jasper talks about how the housing site and environment can affect the overall feel of the build itself.

“As a house design there are numerous examples all different and interesting in their own way.

I am particularly fond though

of a house we did at Black Rock

by Charteris Bay overlooking Lyttelton Harbour. It was a very challenging steep site but stunning in terms of its setting and outlook. The final result we are very pleased with. It sits well in its environment and is a beautiful place to be and wile away the hours,” Jasper says.

The Black Rock residential build won was the 2018 Winner of the Canterbury Architecture Award.

The stone-clad base is sunken into the land, and the extensive glazing opens the living room to dramatic views of the sea, hills and surrounding bay.

The Clyde Road House project – the 2019 Winner of the Canterbury Architecture Award – uses strong white volumes and dramatic sweeps of stone, marble and timber surfaces and draws off the modernist movement to create luxurious living spaces. The architect for the Clyde Road house is Jonathan Kennedy.

“

A relatively small modest place can be ‘grand’ in its quality and ambitions.

”

Sheppard & Rout director Jasper van der Lingen

These projects show that the essence of grand home design doesn’t always have to mean size.

Incorporating environmentally sustainable options with the latest technology is one way to make our lives easier and lessen the impact.

“A relatively small modest place can be ‘grand’ in its quality and ambitions. For example, we were one of the five winners of a nationwide design competition run by PrefabNZ for a small quality yet affordable prefabricated dwelling. It was named the Pitch House. We are hoping to get it under production and on the market this year all going well,” Jasper says.

“The design is only 45 sqm yet has all the ingredients necessary for a

lovely place to live with a simple efficient layout with clever built in fittings and fixtures to save space all of good quality. It is very well insulated with the latest warm wall and roof technologies and designed to be fully accessible even for those in wheelchairs. We would consider this grand in terms of design, quality and ambition.”

As people’s lives become even more intertwined with technology, seamlessly incorporating and anticipating the latest technology into design can make sure the house can evolve with what’s current and up-to-date. Even what we take for granted – a warm, dry house – is thanks to the “hidden extras” in the house.

Your one-stop shop for quality glazing and window framing installations at affordable prices.

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www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 21

Grand Designs “There are many hidden extras in a good design. For fully hidden extras, it is what is inside the walls, roof and underfloor. Good insulation with no cold bridges to undermine the insulation is a ‘hidden’ extra that will easy pay back its cost over the life of a building and provide a warm, dry energy efficient place to live and work,” Jasper says.

“In today’s world we need to consider our impact on the environment as we all know mankind cannot continue proceeding at our current rate of environmental impact. Good energy efficient and sustainable design has to be our future.

“Other hidden extras are some of the very smart home automation systems now available like Amazons Alexa.

These automation systems are just an extension of the laboursaving devices that started being added to our houses last century like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Now it is robot vacuum cleaners and occupancy sensor lights. It is all about

“

In today’s world we need to consider our impact on the environment as we all know mankind cannot continue proceeding at our current rate of environmental impact.

Good energy efficient and sustainable design has to be our future.

”

reducing the tedious tasks of life and freeing our time up for things we really want to do.”

People nowadays are moving toward more conscientious design, and Sheppard & Rout does its best to talk to clients about sustainability and how the house can have minimal impact both locally and globally.

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Hardwood Decking

For an exterior solution that combines longlasting function with sophistication, quality timber weatherboards and cladding are an excellent option. We supply a range of profiles to align with any style of building and can advise on which product is right for you.

Horizontal Bevelback, Rusticated Cedar & Vertical shiplap Weatherboard.

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For outdoor living at it’s best, you can’t beat hardwood decking. We supply a range of timber species selected for their ability to withstand the NZ climate while retaining their natural good looks. Wide board decking being a very popular choice.

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“Some ideas which we are seeing more of is the increased awareness of the impact on our world of what we design and specify. We are getting clients who don’t want huge houses so much anymore but rather are after smaller more efficient and flexible spaces that suit their needs better rather than endless separate rooms some of which are barely used.

“People are also interested in making the right choices in terms of the materials that their houses are made of. It is pleasing to us to see the increased awareness of how a design can be good for the environment if we make the right choices,” Jasper says.

As time moves on, everyone is coming to learn that grand design doesn’t have to mean expansive homes – one doesn’t need to compromise luxury for sustainability. By framing design in terms of its wider context in the world, we can move forward even further with gorgeous design that fits the landscape.

Sheppard & Rout 104 Salisbury Street Christchurch www.sheprout.com admin@sheprout.com

the very best in outdoor living To extend the al fresco dining season and experience all-weather outdoor living, Stratco has a range of options to suit your needs. Whether you choose an opening and closing louvre, or a fixed roof verandah, you can relax in the knowledge that your custom-made, stylish roof is built to withstand local conditions.

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www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 23

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Health & Safety

Preventing falls from height

3. Process analysis – identify hazards at each stage of the production or service delivery process.

4. Analysis of accident investigation – identify hazards and causal factors from investigations involving similar types of work.

Every year hundreds of New Zealand workers are seriously injured due to falls from height at work, some of them fatally.

Plan a safe approach

Too many falls from height are caused by a failure to plan and organise work properly. Start by planning a safe approach.

Identify the hazards Identify any hazards of working at height where someone could fall. Four ways of identifying hazards are: 1. Physical inspections – walk around the workplace using a checklist to identify and manage hazards.

2. Task analysis – identify the hazards involved in each task of the job.

• Could long-handled tools be used from ground level?

• Could structures be built at ground level and lifted into position on completion?

• Can the hazard of working at height be isolated?

• Could a total restraint system be used to prevent a fall occurring?

Assess the hazards

• Could edge protection be used?

Decide if the identified hazards are significant. How badly harmed someone would be if they fell and how likely a fall could be? If serious harm could result, then it’s a significant hazard.

• Could nets or air bags be used to minimise the impact of a fall?

Control the hazards Now keep people safe from the identified significant hazards.

Select the best work method to eliminate, isolate or minimise (in that order) the potential for harm resulting from the significant hazard.

• Can the hazard of working at height be eliminated?

• Could a guard-railed work platform (eg scaffold or elevating work platforms) be used?

• Can the distance and impact of the fall be minimised?

Only take this step when elimination and isolation options have been exhausted.

• Could a fall arrest system be used?

For more information, visit: www.worksafe.govt.nz/topicand-industry/building-andconstruction.

The vital importance of height safety Falls from height are a common cause of injury around home and in the construction industry – and a fall protection system is a simple solution to creating a safer working environment.

Safety Nets New Zealand is a market leading supplier of complete safety netting fall arrest solutions for residential, commercial and industrial worksites throughout New Zealand.

With over 450,000sqm of nets available for use and a nationwide network of 40-strong FASET trained and certified rigging supervisors, they have the infrastructure and resources available to quickly and professionally satisfy all your soft fall protection needs.

you keep your workers safe, you are also reducing the risk of increased site overheads through work stoppages, sick leave and loss of staff.

Safety Nets NZ is the recognised industry leader and has been instrumental in developing and improving industry standards. This includes working with Worksafe NZ in the development of the Best Practice Guidelines for use of safety nets, and also engaging the services of Massy University School of Engineering and Advanced Technology to develop a facility to test its safety net systems, and engineer the only fully compliant and independently tested safety net system for use on residential projects in the country.

The aim of Safety Nets NZ is to offer Their fall arrest systems are designed the most professional, practical and to address the concerns of safety efficient safety net solutions in the while working at heights. By utilising country, with the highest possible established and trusted site health level of customer service being its and safety systems, and ensuring main focus.

Award winning safety pioneer Safe Nets NZ is the market leader when it comes to provision of fall arrest safety net systems on construction sites throughout the country.

• Independently tested by the engineers at Massey University, we offer NZ’s only fully certified safety net system for use on residential construction sites.

• Nets installed on over 20,000 houses nationwide in the last 3 years • Our unique, specially developed debris / asbestos containment and fall protection system enables factory processes to continue unaffected whilst your roof is replaced • The most cost effective fall protection solution with minimal impact on build time.

North Island 0800 NETSNZ (638 769) South Island 0800 NETS4U (638 748)

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www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 25

Today’s New Homes

What to consider when downsizing Low maintenance home design for busy people

“

There are a host of good reasons for wanting to downsize your home.

It gives you the chance to update your décor.

You might be too busy living to want to invest the time and effort a large house requires. Or, when the kids have flown the coop, you may no longer require the extra bedrooms, find the house is becoming too difficult to maintain and may need to live more centralized, in order to have easy access to necessary amenities with greater dependency on the cards.

Compiled below is a useful list of advantages and disadvantages to be considered before making any hasty, life-changing decisions.

Advantages of downsizing • You could perhaps capitalise on a healthy real estate market • Mortgage repayments could be a thing of the past

• Having to part with years of belongings can be an emotional task

• You may have to sell old furniture and purchase new furniture to fit your new space

• You can release capital by selling a large family home and buying smaller and cheaper (perhaps subdividing is an option here) • It’s an opportunity to de-clutter • You have the opportunity to move closer to family and friends

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• It gives you the chance to update your décor • Less space to maintain, freeing up your spare time • Smaller homes often lead to smaller annual household bills • You can situate yourself closer to necessary amenities required for greater dependency.

Disadvantages of downsizing • You may find yourself battling with more complicated ownership structures i.e. cross lease titles and unit titles • There is no guaranteeing your house will sell for the price you want it to • Moving closer to the city isn’t necessarily going to be cheaper buying

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”

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• You will have to adapt to new services in your area and new neighbours • If you decide to rent there will always be uncertainty of price increases and changes in ownership • Adapting to a smaller space can take some getting used to.

There are a range of options available to choose from if downsizing is playing on your mind, for example: moving into a smaller home in a subdivision, moving into a retirement village, buying an apartment or unit or selling up and renting.

There are advantages and disadvantages for each, the key is to do your research.

Thankfully there are many professionals adept in this area who can lend timely advice to find which option is best for you.

Today’s New Homes 1. Your home should be a joy and fun to live in.

Finding a design to suit your lifestyle

2. The house should be well sited on your section to maximise its position in relation to the sun.

3. Every member of the household should be catered for, meaning parents retreats for privacy, play areas for kids or a place to do homework.

The dream of an architecturally-designed home in which a harmonious balance of form and function is achieved is now easier and more affordable than ever. But what makes a home beautiful and really liveable?

Peter Mannion of Synergy Design has designed award winning homes all over the world and is known for his residential design experience and exceptional style.

Commenting on the importance of design, Peter says, “Great designs must be sensitive to the local area and environment,

with a strong focus on balanced proportions, and smart functional elements, to create exciting homes that really work and are very liveable.”

So, what contributes to a home being liveable? Peter shares his top tips:

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4. If you are a sociable household, visitors and guests need to feel welcome and comfortable, whether they are staying for a few hours or a week.

Trends in kitchens Peter highlights the functionality of kitchens being of great importance.

The butler’s pantry has become a popular addition to the kiwi kitchen, not because everyone suddenly has a butler, but because they are a great way of keeping kitchen clutter and mess out of sight. This has growing importance as people continue to embrace open plan homes.

Design traps

“We put careful thought and consideration into the zones in the house and how they are going to work in family situations,” explains Peter. “Every part of the home should be enjoyable and liveable, so we try to minimise less important spaces, such as hallways.”

“When they [homebuilders] are designing a house themselves, a lot of clients and builders fall into the trap of thinking they need to have something in every square metre, when it’s actually the feeling of space that counts.”

There are also optional extras, in terms of architectural features such as high ceilings and atmospheric fireplaces, which can set your home apart from the rest and lend it real personality and individuality.

5. Enhanced interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces.

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Showroom and Factory 9G Francella Street, Bromley, Christchurch www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 27

Complete Building Solutions

Now is not the time to cut building costs As we move into a time of economic uncertainty, Canterbury home buyers who are eager to build new are being warned by industry experts not to choose a builder based on price alone.

“Your first mistake as a buyer is to assume that all builders build the same – because they don’t,” says South Island Golden Homes licensee Dean McGuigan.

“A lot of builders are quick to quote per square metre rates to win customers but that’s just a race to the bottom. It compromises the quality of the client’s house.

“To get it to that price the builder has to compromise the quality of the fittings and materials or products that go into the home.”

Dean says major events like the Christchurch earthquake, Auckland’s 28 | B&R

Convention Centre fire and the leaky homes put a spotlight on weaknesses and often lead to a change in industry practice or building codes.

Engineered rib-raft foundations – which are structurally stronger and less likely to crack or shift in an earthquake – are standard at Golden Homes, along with a fireretardant roof underlay.

“While the roof underlay we use is more expensive, it stops a flash fire should a fire enter the roof cavity,” he explains.

An example of striving to be ahead of the building code, Dean says, “Golden Homes was the first to put double glazing into our homes as standard before it was compulsory.

“It does cost a touch more but it’s significantly better and now you wouldn’t dream of building a home without double glazing.

www.buildandrenovate.co.nz

“

Your first mistake as a buyer is to assume that all builders build the same – because they don’t.

-

South Island Golden Homes licensee Dean McGuigan.

”

“A pre-cladding product called HomeRAB Thermal is used instead of building paper which has better acoustic and thermal properties, and steel frames are used instead of timber to ensure walls are strong, perfectly straight and won’t twist or warp over time.”

Dean says home buyers – especially first home buyers are very motivated to do the right thing but most people don’t really know what that is.

“So, a lot of them shop based on price. Golden Homes’ catch phrase is ‘a better home you own’ and we’ve gone through the house and thought about ‘how can we do this better’ without drastically changing the cost of building.

“It’s the little things that I’m proud to put into a house that actually makes the difference,” he says.

“People need to look beyond price and examine how the house is actually constructed; what are the bones of the house, what’s in behind the walls.”

What is Dean’s final piece of advice for those looking to build post-lockdown?

Price is important, yes, but the materials that go into your house and the products used are the key to safe, long-standing home so do your research and choose your builder wisely.

EXO Construction EXO Construction are specialists in residential new buildings, cladding solutions, commercial fit-outs and project management. With a personalised, friendly and transparent service, the team strives to give you the best service possible, tackling any challenges or foreseeable extras before they arise.

The company has 25 years in the construction industry, with the knowledge, expertise and proven experience to manage residential new builds, renovations and commercial projects. EXO Construction is also a member of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand, so your home will be backed by the Certified Builders 10 year Built In – Home Owners Guarantee.

EXO Construction director Simon Payton is a fastidious craftsman who is on site daily working alongside staff on every project.

Simon has a talent for solving even the toughest challenges and finding solutions where others would fail. This is something his client’s value and a reason why many of EXO Construction’s

projects are from referrals from satisfied customers and other industry professionals.

Simon says, “We are the NZ based contractor who looks after the shop-fitting for Kmart NZ stores. When NZ went into level 4 lockdown, we were required to take over the site management of the new Langdon’s Road Kmart site and ensure the store was finished and able to open to provide essential products after the Australian based site managers had to leave NZ quickly due to our boarders closing.

“We were lucky enough to have the resources and adaptability to be in the position to take this huge job on, as well as manage our other residential building sites during the Covid 19 situation.”

Simon and his team have also been involved in large-scale commercial projects including the re-developments of Southern Cross Hospital, Northlands Mall, The Palms, Pak n Save and Countdown Supermarkets.

No job is too big or too small for EXO, and it takes pride knowing it has delivered the best service possible.

“We can facilitate fixing a broken window to installing a home sprinkler system, building a new architecturally designed home as well as any size maintenance or renovation in-between,” Simon says.

“We spare nothing with our attention to detail and quality workmanship.

“We use the latest technologies and resources available to save time and make things happen.

We are reliable and professional and value our customers with open and transparent processes and communication.

“Your project will be completed on time and on budget, to the highest of workmanship standards.”

EXO Construction’s goal is to help people in a fair and honest way and use its knowledge of the industry and resources available to make the building process for clients simpler, cost effective and more transparent. Take away the guess work – call EXO Construction today!

EXO Construction Limited Christchurch 021 2899 750 info@exoconstruction.co.nz www.exoconstruction.co.nz

SPECIALISTS IN NEW BUILDINGS, CLADDING SOLUTIONS, COMMERCIAL FIT-OUTS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

GET A FREE QUOTE | P 021 2899 750 | E: info@exoconstruction.co.nz | www.exoconstruction.co.nz www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 29

Inside and Out

Getting ready

for winter

As we head into winter, now’s the time to do a little house maintenance while it’s still relatively warm and dry, to ensure your home is prepared for winter’s grip well before the first snowflake falls.

So give yourself a maintenancefree home this winter by following a few top tips to winterize your home: • Get the fireplace ready – if you use a wood burning fireplace check your chimney is clear.

Store kindle and logs in a suitable dry place • Check, clear, and repair any exterior damage – this includes clearing out the gutters and checking the drainage

by getting rid of any leaves or debris which can clog gutters and lead to flooding. If you want to prevent the build up of debris, use wire or plastic mesh to cover your gutters. Inspect all windows, doors, and the roof for cracks and gaps which can let in draught and water – attend to the small details before they become bigger problems in the future • Make sure the heating system works – there’s nothing worse than going to turn the heater on at the beginning of winter and finding out it doesn’t work • Plumbing – remember to check all exposed pipes are protected against freezing by wrapping them with appropriate insulation

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• Make sure hoses are free of water to avoid freeze-ups and store in a dry place • Bring in any outdoor furniture and store them away to protect them from damp and decay • Air mattresses and duvet inners – this helps to keep them clean, fresh and reduce allergens and germs • Change your curtains – curtains are a great way of helping to keep out unwanted cold and keep in all the warmth • Prevent damp with ventilation – extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen can help reduce the amount of damp in your home.

Make sure you clean them regularly to guarantee good performance

• Insulate your home – including ceilings, under floors, walls and windows. This will help to keep your home warm in winter and cooler in summer • Waterproof your home – you can do this by using specialised sealants ideal for homes which helps prevent surfaces from damage, damp, as well as reduce algae and mould growth • Protect your floors from dirty feet – lay down a mat at the door or place a suitable tray for those wet and dirty shoes, boots and umbrellas.

• Double check smoke alarms work and replace batteries as soon as you can. Fires can start at any time whether it’s winter or summer.

Renovation & Restoration

Like new again Big manicured back garden, swimming pool, four bedrooms – what do you think home buyers are looking for?

There are some things you can’t change about your property, but you can take measures to change the smaller, practical things which will endeavour to enhance your home and give it a better chance of selling.

I talk to business owner and manager Lynnette McFadden of Harcourts Gold in Christchurch about the selling power of a home.

In order of importance which features contribute the most as whether a house will sell or not?

The importance of various features regularly changes, however, the current standouts include: • Kitchens that are crisp and attractive, connecting easily to a dining area (not room) and living spaces. As well as smart bathrooms (with a bath!)

• An easy connection between the house and the outdoor or garden area. The old adage of indoor/outdoor flow definitely matters to today’s purchaser • Orientation to the sun and light • Living rooms or areas which are congruent with the number of bedrooms. Lots of bedrooms with only one living area falls short for a lot of people • Method of construction, buyers are wary of particular cladding systems.

What are the simple and inexpensive features homeowners can ‘fix’ to improve the selling power of their home?

Start from the outside and work inwards: • Well maintained grounds and gardens, trees trimmed, paths swept • Nothing creaking or leaking • Odours, unless they are lovely, are a no no. Smoking, dogs, cats, mould! Get these sorted

“

Kitchens that are crisp and attractive, connecting easily to a dining area and living spaces.

”

• Fix all light bulbs and electrical appliances. These are the little things that create an impression of care. Painting, clearing and/or upgrading come after these.

Which features generally add little or no value?

The invisibles, the specialist items that you love but no one else cares for or values and if they do, don’t want to pay for them.

• High-end electronic items, speakers or sound systems • Some specialist lighting and the wiring that supports it • Swimming pools (for some people) and spa pools that feels “plonked” into the landscaping • An item that is well beyond the price point of a home i.e. expensive tap ware that you can’t use easily • Conservatories have been superseded by the outdoor room, fireplace and kitchen.

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Pure Services

Pure Services

Then, now and what the future holds Pure Services started in 2015; it was the idea of a man able to envision beyond what was happening at the time.

It adopted the practice of services that were not only required then but also would be needed in the future.

Pure Services was lucky enough to be nurtured in a time where awareness of the cleaning industry was becoming more critical and the country was going through significant health and safety changes.

Creating a business different from other cleaning companies was the aim.

With this in mind, the founder, Dave Begg, conducted extensive research in what was changing

around New Zealand and the world to gain an idea of where to take Pure Services in the future.

Pure Services wasn’t going to be just any cleaning company they wanted to tackle the hard jobs.

These would include jobs that required extensive training and were going to become relevant in keeping people safe.

Pure Services very first job was a gutter clean, as opposed to sending a man up a ladder. Dave had imported a machine called “Skyvac” to undertake this work.

It meant the technician conducting the task was working

from the ground using a vacuum machine with a “go-pro camera” on the end of the paddle to make sure all the debris was removed entirely.

We then could show the client the results, helping Pure Services gain a good reputation in this area.

Along with the internal and external cleaning services, Pure Services identified new market opportunities where their innovative solutions could be applied.

They are now fully trained in specialised cleaning, including

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meth and mould remediation, textile cleaning, and pest control.

Meth and mould remediation became very popular with education becoming a vital part of their model. By educating people, families and tenants, were kept healthy and safe in their homes and workplaces.

In keeping true to the Pure Services name and looking at ways of creating environmentally-friendly cleaning, progression has evolved in using Ozone (a natural form of cleaning and

Pure Services sanitising providing the same great benefits as general cleaners without the use of harsh chemicals).

The aim is to have Pure Services available throughout New Zealand within the next two years; these are exciting times.

The first use for this great new find is incorporating it as “Ozone water” creating a machine which is used to clean buildings which formally used chemicals such as bleach.

Pure Services is a beautiful success story of a business committed to doing things better, lifting the bar for clients and staff.

Using Ozone now means no damage to plant life or asphalt and no harsh chemicals entering the environment. The ozone simply disappears when it hits the ground.

Franchising the Pure Services brand has always been the aim, and with the growth and success of Pure Services in Dunedin employing 17 staff, it was time to open another branch.

In 2018 Pure Services expanded to Central Otago and starting servicing both Central Otago and the Lakes Districts.

This branch was a trial “franchise”, and the popular services in

Become a customer, and you’ll notice their dedication to exceeding your expectations.

“

Pure Services is a beautiful success story of a business committed to doing things better, lifting the bar for clients and staff.

”

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this area became Builders Cleans, Mould Remediation and Pest Control.

Pure Services is not just a company; it’s a family built on respect for others and a solid work ethic which is held by both management and staff.

By the end of 2019 Pure Services Central Otago successfully grew to employ six full and part-time staff.

This lead to a franchise in Hamilton and another in Auckland. These areas offer a team of six and are growing rapidly. The primary services in these areas are Building Wash downs, Pest Control and Gutter Cleaning.

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Sustainability

The five keys

to create a healthy home

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Most buildings are built or renovated with functional design in mind, and today this is especially so regarding health, wellbeing and comfort.

So here are five key components to creating a healthy home.

• Correctly positioned 1.

windows make the most of fresh air

No one can live without fresh air − and the same goes for your house.

More often than not, we cannot sense pollutants in indoor air, but they will affect our health and wellbeing.

• 2. The right amount of daylight at the right time Waking up to natural morning light, plenty of daylight throughout the day and darkness at night are crucial to our health and comfort.

Light and darkness are key elements in keeping our internal body clock and circadian rhythm synchronised.

So investing in appropriate measures at home to provide daylight and darkness, such as windows and blinds, can pay big dividends.

• 3. Bring nature inside

This is why our houses should offer protection from the hidden pollutants we discharge when we cook, or that are given off from building materials and furniture.

Living in close contact with nature improves your mood, creates better health and reduces stress, which is why we need to bring nature inside our houses.

By positioning your windows correctly, you can enjoy the benefits of natural ventilation that will rapidly improve the indoor air quality in your home.

When building a house, it is worth considering having at least one outdoor or semi-outdoor space − such as a garden, terrace or balcony.

Sustainability Another option is to make sure that the house provides you with a generous view of the sky and ground; this brings nature inside too.

• Rid your home of 4. stressful noise

Apart from being a source of irritation, unwanted sounds, like loud traffic, can cause stress and have a direct negative impact on our wellbeing.

External noise from rowdy neighbours, and internal noise from heating/cooling or ventilation systems, should therefore be kept to a minimum.

And even lower noise levels are needed at night.

• Take control of 5.

indoor temperatures

One of the factors most crucial to our indoor comfort is avoiding unpleasant indoor temperatures.

We spend 90 percent of our time indoors, so make sure that indoor temperatures follow the same rhythm as those outdoors,

which rise during the day and fall at night.

Because our bodies are designed to follow the rhythms outdoors, this will automatically achieve what we feel is the most comfortable indoor temperature.

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Rural Living & Lifestyle Blocks

What you need to know about subdividing Be it a large urban section, or a larger piece of rural land, subdividing can be a very effective means of maximising the value of a property.

The team at Survus Consultants are surveyors, planners and engineers with all the necessary expertise to advise on the specialist issue of subdivisions.

What exactly is a subdivision?

“It’s the term for splitting a piece of land into individual lots,” says Craig Hurford, survey manager at Survus Consultants.

“Subdivisions can be as basic as a residential two lot in-fill development where homeowners chop off part of their backyard to downsize their property.

“Or it can be as complex as a totally new multi-lot development and we have seen quite a number

of these in Christchurch since the earthquakes,” he says.

the potential pitfalls and issues may be.

“There can also be rural lifestyle developments and high country subdivisions, so the range is very diverse.

“We can present all the options for a particular piece of land and help clients optimise their property, while keeping in mind the importance of good sustainable development.”

“Big developments require new roads and services like sewers, storm water, power and telecommunications. A very basic subdivision, on the other hand, may have only minor servicing requirements.”

No matter the size of the subdivision or its location in the city or in the country – Survus Consultants have a clear message.

“Come and see us early in the piece when you are thinking about a subdivision project. We’ve been involved with subdivisions since 1957, so I think we can say we are pretty knowledgeable about what’s required and what

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Every subdivision is unique. No one size process fits all, often because of the criteria specified in the relevant local authority’s district plan. ”Under the Resource Management Act each authority developed its own plan with different subdivision rules. We have the expertise to translate these criteria on a case by case basis.

“A layperson can’t be expected to know these tricks of the trade and it’s easy to make costly mistakes. There might be other requirements as well – a

HAIL (Hazardous Activities and Industries List) Report for instance, or geo-technical and engineering reports.

“All of these can affect the cost of the proposed subdivision or the length of time it will take to complete.”

Survus offers a free onsite consultation and fee proposal for subdivisions anywhere in Canterbury.

They can work through the project from beginning to end starting with the block of land, applying for all the necessary

Survus Consultants 4 Meadow St Papanui Christchurch 0508 787 887 hello@survus.co.nz www.survus.co.nz

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Rural Living & Lifestyle Blocks

Subdividing – step by step If you are thinking about subdividing a property, it’s useful to review the steps you’ll need to take.

Whether you are thinking of carving off the back of a section to make two lots, or developing a lifestyle block or a site that could be a large multi-development subdivision, the process is similar it’s just the scale that changes.

Checklist: • A feasibility study provides a thorough report on the subdivision options for the site as well as any restrictions, issues or considerations that should be known about before proceeding

• A Subdivision Scheme Plan is then prepared with input from a Licensed Cadastral Surveyor • Civil Engineering design for earthworks and site access, including roading, footpaths, driveways • Infrastructure design for the provision of sewage, water supply, stormwater drainage, power and telecommunication services • A subdivision consent is required for all types of subdivision and will include an Assessment of Environmental Effects

• A site investigation, including a geotechnical assessment

• Site works are then undertaken to form access, building platforms and to install infrastructure

• A topographical survey is required in most instances for subdivison/engineering design

• On completion of those works s.224c Certification is obtained from the Council

• The Land Transfer Survey can then be completed and new titles sought.

Derek Wood, principal surveyor at Envivo Engineering, Surveying & Planning, says, “Christchurch Council has made allowance for more infill subdivisions, particularly if an existing building has been condemned there’s more leeway to develop sites.

“There are some good opportunities to look at sites in new ways – to maximise the developments and ensure that we make the most of each property.”

For first time developers, it can be daunting to review all the steps that need to be taken in order to subdivide. The most frequently asked question is, ‘how long will it take me to subdivide?’ – followed swiftly by ‘how much will it cost?’

C&R Surveyors Ltd Registered Professional Land Surveyors We provide surveying services for a diverse range of projects that include: • Urban & Rural Subdivisions • Crosslease & Unit Title surveys • Topographic Surveys • Construction, Engineering and Building Setout • Photo Control Surveys • GPS Surveys Phone: +64 9 4264051 Email: info@crsurveyors.co.nz 172A Centreway Road, Orewa www.crsurveyors.co.nz www.buildandrenovate.co.nz B&R | 37

Rural Living & Lifestyle Blocks

“

installed to the Council’s Infrastructure Design Standard.

We can help you assess whether you can subdivide your property, guide you through each step of the process and manage it smoothly for you.

”

The feasibility study enables Envivo to answer these difficult questions recognising that every site is unique.

Christchurch Council has a wealth of advice on their website with diagrams and tips on managing the subdivision process.

Derek adds, “One of the key factors that should be considered is availability of consultants. Find out contractors’ availability as that will have a huge impact on the speed a development gets underway – and ultimately how much it will cost.

“Our teams are very responsive and can be on-site quickly.

It’s our point of difference.

Plus we offer comprehensive experience; over the last 18-years we have carried out over 1,000 subdivisions, and over 4,000 topographical surveys.

“We can help you assess whether you can subdivide your property, guide you through each step of the process and manage it smoothly for you.”

The Council requires regular monitoring is undertaken throughout the process to ensure that all works and services are carried out and

Information provided courtesy of Envivo Ltd info@envivo.co.nz www.envivo.co.nz

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