Ethos Homes - the right builder is a crucial choice

The right builder is a crucial choice

Building a new home means many, many decisions.

Beyond the obvious choices of where and what are questions about what materials and what construction process. How will different options impact on the budget, on the timeline, building durability, the health of its occupants, on the planet? It can be dizzying. Arguably the most crucial choice is finding the right builder to partner with. It’s even more important now given the supply and labour shortages gripping the industry. The right choice can make for a lot less stress and much better outcomes. Nadia and Gavin Sole live with their three sons in a delightful certified Passive House in Richmond, Christchurch, that is beautifully fashioned to suit their needs and values. They chose local, independent builders Ethos Homes before they had even purchased a section. It turned out to be a great decision because Ethos director Pete Bielski’s advice and introductions were valuable from day one. “Some people call this ‘early contractor engagement’, says Pete. “We just call it how we do business.” The Soles were already sold on the benefits of a Passive House build. Pete introduced them to Karen Manson at Meta Architects who provided Passive House design services. This ensured the Sole’s new home could meet the objective Passive House criteria for energy efficiency and health and comfort. Long-term relationships The Ethos team have been building homes for Christchurch families for years—ever since Pete returned from a trip to Germany, wanting to use what he’d learned building alongside fastidious German craftsmen builders. They take a whole-system approach to what they do, partnering with experts to ensure the entire design and construction process is credible, well-managed and efficient. Great processes lead to great outcomes. The firm attracts, and keeps, skilled builders who want to create better buildings than those that only just meet the NZ Building Code minimum. Clients also benefit from the company’s long-standing relationships with suppliers and consultants, such as local manufacturer Weathershield Windows and Doors and engineers and designers. Ethos Panels: faster and better At the materials level, Ethos Homes is set apart by its use of timber panels they make off-site. Those panels can form walls, but also floors and roofs. Ethos are currently building a house for architectural graduate Mark Brokenshire, his second that uses panels made off-site. There are so many benefits to this approach, says Mark. Properly scheduled, it reduces build time because the panels can be made while the site works are carried out. Working indoors in a well-set out environment lends itself to better quality control. There are no rain delays or soaked timbers either. The Ethos panels are impressively quick to stand up on site. The panels for Mark’s new home are plywood clad with a weatherproof layer. They’ll arrive on site, be craned into position and quickly aligned and fixed. Windows and doors will be fitted on-site. The house will go from a slab to a weathertight building in a matter of days: exciting. There are other advantages from Pete’s point of view. “With an Ethos panel, my team is in control of the whole process, rather than having another supply chain to manage and contractor to rely on. “With the current shortage of building materials and shipping delays, I don’t need extra stress. I also like being in charge of quality control. Building our way, I am absolutely confident about the thermal performance. And if a client wants a last minute variation, we can do that on the spot. Try adding an extra window into a SIP wall: not going to happen,” says Pete. “And we’re using timber from trees grown here in New Zealand. That tree stored carbon while it grew—now we’re locking up that carbon for generations by using its timber in high-quality homes that are built to last.” All these factors: an experienced team, a whole-system approach and panelisation—are helping Ethos Homes build Bushland Park, New Zealand’s first neighbourhood to target certified Passive House performance. (In fact, the homes are expected to qualify as Passive House Plus, each generating as much energy via rooftop PV panels as the occupants will use each year.) CT

Ethos Homes 021 444 717 amanda@ethoshomes.co.nz www.ethoshomes.co.nz

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