The company had entered the competition since 2001, having won numerous regional awards, but it had never previously made it to national level.
“It was great to finally reach that level and even better to win our Renovation Award $250,000 – $500,000 category. It is something that we are very proud of,” director Richard Hay says.
“It was great to finally get there, and then to win was just fantastic,” he says.
Mr Hay says the competition is really something to strive for.
“It gets your name out there. It’s a great marketing opportunity for everyone,” he says.
Ajax Building Contractors Ltd was faced with the enormous challenge of renovating a classic farmhouse built in 1860, which had been added to and subtracted from a number of times over the years.
The home owners approached the company to remove all existing alterations and rebuild them in the same style as the original homestead.
“The renovation itself was quite complex,” Mr Hay says. However, it was made easy by having clients that knew what they wanted and had done their planning. They made a difficult project into a pleasure.”
All exterior timbers had to be specifically run to match the existing ones, new internal doors were made, and the new extensions used cedar triple-glazed windows.
“It was great to see the project through from start to finish. We turned a beautiful old home into a beautifully warm, dry modern home while still maintaining its 19th Century character and charm,” Mr Hay says.
Judges said the poor additions over previous decades made the renovation highly difficult.
“This is a true renovation project with detailing, including the care taken to match new windows with existing leadlight and bay windows,” judges said.
“The outcome reflects the passion and commitment of the builder and home owner to be true to the home’s original design and features and, where possible, re-using original parts of the home. This is a stunning renovation that will see this gracious home through another century of living.”
Ajax Building Contractors Ltd was established in 1984 and has been a member of Registered Master Builders since its inception. Mr Hay encourages other builders to become a member.
“It’s great being a part of a group that is recognised in the industry as leaders,” he says.
The company, with its 29-strong staff, boasts its ability to design and build everything from large executive homes to the kiwi batch, as well as commercial and industrial buildings.
Mr Hay says residential work has been light recently, but they are currently working on a number of commercial and industrial projects.
After a slow patch, he says they are getting busy again. “We’ve weathered the storm,” he says.
The Awards are made possible through the support of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, and supporting sponsors James Hardie, Gib Living Solutions®, Pink® Batts® Ultra®, Nulook and the Department of Building and Housing.
For more information about the competition, go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz.
