A classic twist

Adding another dimension to an established brand.

Words Nicky Adams

There’s lots to like about husband-and-wife team Paul and Corina Taylor, particularly if you enjoy good humour with a side order of honesty. Paul is articulate and animated, plus he makes a mean cup of tea. Corina’s warmth and gentle manner put you at ease straight away. Together with Paul’s brother David they hold the licence for and are owner/operators of Classic Builders Rotorua and Taupō.

To unravel what exactly this means, I double check with Paul, who clarifies: “We hold a licence agreement to build within the Rotorua and Taupō councils and we work under a licence manual… Classic provides a back-of-office service for us with our design work, accounting, marketing, health and safety.” Essentially, Paul, Corina and David are very much Classic; “We’ve got the brand; together we’ve got 28 years’ experience of working with the brand, we’ve got the national supplier agreement, the systems, the processes – the aftercare service and warranty – all the stuff that’s always at the forefront. We bring our customer service, excellence, and quality. Our biggest added value is our experience.” The formula is clearly working, as, for the second year running, the team has just scooped a slew of accolades at the Classic Builders National Awards.

Paul has been with Classic for 19 years, moving from operations to licence holder; Corina joined the business 11 years ago with a strong background in sales and real estate, and found her true passion as colour and design consultant. Brother David came up from Palmerston North and in 2014 jumped on board the Classic ship, starting as construction manager and moving up to branch manager before taking on regional manager of Rotorua and Lakes. This powerhouse combination has a real confidence that only years in the game can bring. Corina points out: “There wouldn’t be too many areas of building where we haven’t got experience or a situation we haven’t come across before. Between the three of us we’ve got a tonne of expertise. With Paul, you’ve got the land acquisition, business/finance acumen and supplier relationships; David’s got the operational and building brain and I’ve got the face to face with the clients – refining the look they want, the colours, materials and specifications.” Paul chimes in: “We know our lane; we know where our strengths are”. Corina agrees, “there’s strong leadership in all three of those areas, and that filters down to our team, so they’ve got clear, strong direction and leadership and they really feel like we’ve got their back. Talia (our building co-ordinator) always says, “it’s like we’re in one big wāka rowing in the same direction.”

The impetus to branch away and establish their own part of the company was an organic progression. As Paul clarifies; “After being within the brand for 19 years I wanted to use all that expertise that I’d learnt to continue my journey and bring that to a different region. I had a vision of how things could be done at a grass-root level and wanted to get back to being more customer facing.” They both get animated as they explain how they could see the potential and growth in this area, which they have created and generated with the help of their team. Corina reiterates how adding value to the community has spurred them on, and Paul relishes the relationships they have built with land stakeholders, local iwi, various land developers and other members of the community supply chain. 

Corina’s sideline passion is her role as work events coordinator. Laughing, they both agree her love of organisation enables her to excel in this position. Joking aside, they go on to talk about how hugely important the sense of ‘team’ is to not just them personally, but to the success and growth of the business. The social side is huge: “We always celebrate our wins, our birthdays our anniversaries.” Paul sums it up: “We work together, play together, stay together.” Talking of events, the team is about to celebrate its fourth anniversary, which is a milestone the trio are hugely proud of. Within that time the team has grown from three to 12 and is still expanding. In a flat market it’s definitely bucking the trend to be experiencing growth. I wonder what Paul and Corina would consider has helped with this. Paul is hesitant, as he’s aware it’s not something that’s currently experienced across the board. “I suppose we’ve read the market, and we know how to deliver to these conditions. We’re adaptable: that’s what a small team brings.” Corina agrees. “We’re able to reduce square meterage to bring a price down – we know how to deliver a price point product of spec and looks. What we do well is very targeted to suit the market.” Paul adds: “And we deliver what we say we will. There are no hidden exclusions.” 

They also pride themselves in managing to cater for a broad demographic, from duplexes for a couple, to four-bed family homes, to investor properties. Repeat custom is something they’re excited has started to happen – there’s real pride when they mention people who have returned, a testament, amongst other things, to their relationship building.

Client relationships, they say, are crucial to the whole team. Their carefully crafted ‘Wall of Fame’ in the office has a photograph of every handover they’ve ever done. “There’s detail,” says Paul. “We haven’t just slapped it up.” Corina adds: “We really celebrate with our clients. It’s such an emotional process – you’re a huge part of each other’s lives for the duration of the build process. We love the handovers, it’s a big deal”. The Classic Care policy ensures the continuation of the relationship, even after completion. The Rotorua-based design centre reflects the blend of Corina’s systematic and creative personality. Purposely built for the client experience, it’s a visual space where the products are almost artworks. The layout of the room follows a build schedule, enabling clients to place selected swatches on the table, ultimately creating the home they will build. Corina thrives on her role: “I love helping people create the vision they have for themselves and their home; pulling all their ideas together and giving them different options in a budget-conscious way that fits within their build and our brand. Knowing they can have a beautiful home that they can be really proud of, but that fits within all our standard specs.” Operating from the hub, the team all hail from different parts of the region, and understand the value of ties with the community. That reaches beyond the clients to every part of the build chain, from the land to the carpet layers to the kitchen supplier. Every team member, according to Corina, gives their absolute all, “the work ethic of our people blows me away.”

Client relationships are of course integral; once that bond is established the trust follows. Transparency is their currency. Paul stands by his word: “We have a fixed price; we don’t have any escalation clauses. Within the contract – if we’re in control as the build partner we can give you a fixed price contract. But also, there’s flexibility if you want to have a provisional sum where you may want variations. You sign off everything first. We have a design and build contract, or house and land where we control the overall package. We’ve got flexibility – but again, it comes to a fixed price.” Adaptability, value for money, honesty and integrity are all central to what makes the wheels turn. “And positivity,” enthuses Paul.

What advice would you give someone looking to build?
Trust/understand your build partner. Do your research. Make sure you’re comparing apples with apples – go through the details.

Why would people choose to build in this market?
You end up with a healthy home with all the new standards (better insulation/ better joinery/heating etc). Better funding options with building new. There are good options out there, and you’ve got time to research as it’s not a flooded market.

How to avoid common mistakes?
No two sites are the same, so get down to the detail. Go with a reputable brand with experience. 

What should be the primary focus on a build?
Focus on the needs – add in the wants/wishlist. Be honest about what you have to spend.

classicbuilders.co.nz

Contemporary charm

This modern bach not only embraces its beachside surrounds,
it’s designed to seamlessly blend with the beautiful vista.

words Monique Balvert-O’Connor
photos Untitled Studio + Salina Galvan

Mel Riley and his company DC Build may not have had a BOP arm for long, but they certainly secured a fabulous project to sink their teeth into.

Described as a sleek, modern ode to the joy of New Zealand beach life, DC Build and JMAC Architecture completed this contemporary build for Tauranga clients over summer, replacing a much-loved, somewhat dilapidated Pukehina bach. 

DC Build’s Mel Riley says working with JMAC director and architectural designer Jason Macdonald and other professionals on the project was a great way to end the 2023 working year. It was an assignment that perfectly suited the “design meets craftsmanship” focus of the company he co-owns with his brother Justin. The beautifully designed home offered opportunities aplenty to showcase his team’s capabilities on the craftsmanship front.

“One of the things we love the most in a building job is beautiful details,” says Mel, adding that the home’s sarked cedar ceilings are a fine example of this, and enabled the DC Build team to put their craftsmanship to work.

The house sits on a generously sized rectangular site that stretches towards the beach. While it appears to hug the sand dunes, it does sit back significantly enough to allow protection from coastal erosion. In line with resource consent (the house must be removable), it has been built on timber piles, which required some significant design and engineering given the need to bore down three to four metres into soft sand without any collapsing.

It’s a beach house that can also boast estuary views. Hence, the pleasing floorplan incorporates two individual living areas maximising views of both bodies of water. Full-height, floor-to-ceiling windows in key areas ensure the vista can be fully embraced.

“Because of the high windows in the living area and master bedroom, the cedar ceilings continue seamlessly from the indoors to the outdoors where there are covered decks facing the ocean,” Mel explains.

Given the panoramic views, bringing the beauty of the outdoors in was always a design intention at this home. The deck’s roofline assists in doing so – it tilts up to bring in more of the views.

Mel appreciates it’s a home that has absolutely nailed the perfect combination of contemporary charm with the everlasting splendour of beachfront tranquillity.

He feels a natural leaning towards such aesthetically pleasing architectural builds. Shortly after becoming a qualified builder, he pursued a two-year national diploma in Architechtural Technology.

“I understand design,” says Mel. “A builder who can speak the architect's language is a valuable thing. Designers work with a builder who understands architectural plans beyond just following them, so any potential problems can be stopped before they arise. It makes it easier to achieve the high standard.” 

JMAC’s Jason knows well the advantage of having a sympathetic builder on his projects, one who is a key player in seamlessly bringing his architectural visions to life. 

The two say this beachfront build has been a great project to be involved in from start to finish. "The client on this project was really easy to work with, which made the process that much easier and enjoyable," says Mel. The process involved the happy homeowners recently hosting dinner for Mel and Jason’s teams and other consultants involved in the project. Those consultants included Yellowfox interiors and 689 lighting design. Mel says the professionals involved in the build worked together as one team from the get-go. Collaboratively, he says, this was one of those projects that really came together beautifully.

Mel seconds Jason’s thoughts: “To end up making friendships out of what we do is probably the biggest reward. I think that’s a true testament to the success of a build.”

As for the project’s early days, Mel was offered the opportunity to sit around the table with the architectural team and homeowners to discuss the job’s pricing process. This gave DC Build the opportunity to showcase its comprehensive and transparent pricing plan, which includes reports presented at various stages of projects. Those early three-way conversations were invaluable, Mel says, as they also included discussion around product such as the cladding. The clients opted for aluminium Nu Wall cladding (DC Build had worked with this pre-finished product numerous times). Its anti-rust qualities were deemed especially advantageous given the Pukehina home’s coastal location. The home is set to retain its good looks and turn heads for many a year.

Mel says all up, the Pukehina project fulfilled his company’s aim to craft homes that not only bring an architectural vision to the real world, but also make the owner, the architect/architectural designer and the team proud to be part of it. 

Dcbuild.co.nz

DC and the BOP

All it took was a few wonderful beach holidays to get Mel Riley thinking seriously about extending his building business to include the BOP.

“We loved the area, loved the vibe, and I managed to secure a section in Pāpāmoa that would become home base.”

Mel and his brother Justin founded DC Build back in 2014. Up until Mel’s BOP epiphany about five years ago, the brothers’ business concentrated solely on residential builds in Auckland. These days the business has a team of six (made up of qualified builders and apprentices at various stages) in the Western Bay of Plenty, and 12 in Auckland. Mel heads the BOP team, ably assisted by Will Salwey as site foreman, while Justin’s at the helm in Auckland, where his team includes long-standing staff member James Poore as project manager.

It’s five years since Mel and family made the move. His first build in the Bay was of personal significance – the construction of a home for himself and family on that Pāpāmoa site. With that out of the way, it was time to focus on the business of building primarily high-end, architecturally designed homes – either new builds or renovations in the Bay of Plenty. Mel's son, Jay, recently started an apprecticeship within the business.

Working life in Auckland is busy for DC Build. “We have established our name there,” Mel says. “Now it’s time to build on what we’ve already achieved over the last few years in the Bay of Plenty. We have capacity and we’re keen and committed to staying in this region.”

It has been an eventful few months for the DC Build team. The Pukehina project was finished in December and since then, Mel has been busy pricing another coastal build and overseeing the company’s rebranding. Up until recently, DC Build was DC Builders.

“We’re armed with a fresh rebrand as of this year,” Mel enthuses. He’s proud of that brand, which he summarises as bringing architectural visions into the real world through creative knowledge meeting technical skill.  

“The best projects are the ones that everyone is proud of.”

Dcbuild.co.nz