Passion for carpentry is second nature to young builder

Dylan Ham, the local owneroperator of DH Builders, found his passion for carpentry from a very young age. His earliest memory building is heading out into the shed to hunt out old nails and timber off-cuts to make tables and huts.

After completing the Level 4 Carpentry certificate through NMIT in 2011, Dylan began his building journey. “McPherson and Bashford Builders gave me the opportunity to do my apprenticeship with them.

I started off doing architecturally-designed houses, renovations, additions, and more. This is where I got a passion for the renovation side of building.” Being a part of the team for ten years was great, says Dylan. “It was like a second family. I worked with them up until 2021 when Brian was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, Brian had to close down the business, passing away shortly after. I had an awesome boss for 10 years and he set me up well to go out on my own.” The decision to branch out autonomously was an easy one, says Dylan.

“After weighing up my options of ‘where to go from here’ I made the move to go out contracting for other builders and do some of my own work. Hence the original name of the business, DH Contracting.” Continuously providing a high quality of workmanship, the word soon spread, and Dylan quickly became inundated with projects. “The contracting side of things didn’t go to plan because I got swamped with my own work. It has been a very busy two years!” The need to contract himself out was no longer necessary so

Dylan made an executive decision to change the name of the business to DH Builders Ltd –a title which he feels better reflects his services.

“After just under a year it was getting a bit too much for just myself, so I decided to take on apprentice Brad Talbot. He has been a massive asset to the company.”

Covering the whole Nelson Tasman region, including Golden Bay, Nelson Lakes and occasionally the Marlborough Sounds. DH Builders provide a wide range of building ser- vices including pole sheds, window and door inserts along with full replacements, bathrooms, decks, pergolas, carports, concrete work, cabins, retaining walls, and more on request. “We offer high quality workmanship and are easy to deal with.”

DH Builders have also been doing a massive amount of work in the rural sector with building for the growing hop industry. Singing Dylan's praises, Lyndon Win from Placemakers Saxton Rd says Dylan is one of those guys that are born for the industry.

“He has come a long way in such a short space of time.” Sourcing materials and building supplies from Placemakers, works as a great team collaboration, says Lyndon.

“Dylan is such an approachable guy who is fast becoming very sought after. He may be young but his vast knowledge and skillset that he has acquired during his time with Brian has given him a huge range of capabilities in the industry. It has given him a broad range of construction skills that bridges the gap between residential and commercial buildings. It is exciting to see someone like Dylan coming through the industry. He gets in boots and all to ensure the job is right.”

A family man, Dylan says of his proudest moments is seeing his two sons aged two and three showing an interest in his work, with the oldest asking every week, ‘when can I come to work with you, dad’, and ‘can we build something today?’. I have noticed my sons are doing the same thing that I did at that age.”

It is a sense of achievement and the reaction from clients that continues to drive Dylan’s passion for the industry.

“I just love seeing everything come together and seeing the final product.

Dylan’s partner Hayley Langley says it’s been an amazing journey to watch Dylan’s business grow and see how successful it has become in a short amount of time. “It was nerve-wracking making the decision to go out on his own weeks after having our second baby, but we also knew it was the right decision. He has taken on the position of a business owner incredibly well and made it look easy.

"There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, with late nights, early mornings, as well as managing employees, to prioritising family in between it all. Dylan offers such a high standard of work and I’m very proud of how far he has come. I can’t wait to see how his business continues to grow.”

Looking back over his time in the industry, Dylan says he couldn’t have done it without the huge ongoing support from those around him.

“I want to extend a massive thanks to all my customers, suppliers, and everyone who has supported me on this journey.”