Quality craftsmanship, upfront honesty and a ‘can-do’ attitude have become the cornerstones of success for young Southland construction company Bragg Building and Design Ltd.
Since emerging into the marketplace in 2014 the company has maintained a continual growth path, developing a steady reputation for reliability from its customers as well as its peers.
“We’re pretty particular in the quality of work that we produce and we have very good client skills,” says Shahn Bragg, the company’s founder and managing director. “That’s now starting to be recognised. I always tell my clients that they will be dealing with me throughout the build.”
From a one-man operation, Bragg Building and Design has continued to grow, recently taking on another experienced tradesman as the company foreman. Now a team of four, Shahn says there is a strong prospect that a fifth builder will shortly be recruited to meet business growth.
A dedicated family man, Shahn prefers to work within the Southland area but with a number of clients owning properties in Central Otago and Stewart Island, Bragg Building and Design have found themselves working further afield.
Shahn’s ‘can’do’ approach to building projects means there are no real limitations to the work he and his team will take on. “I like to do a good variety of work,” says Shahn.
“My core background is in building new homes and we’re the local agent for WideSpan Sheds.
“We have contracts to builder over 3000sqm of sheds of various sizes over the next 12 months. We’re also doing light commercial work, including work for PowerNet and we do some commercial property maintenance work.”
Renovation projects also form a large part of Bragg Building and Design’s portfolio—particularly bathrooms and kitchens that require a high standard of finishing.
The company has just completed a 230sqm single storey architectural home with polished concrete flooring, but when frosts and adverse weather conditions delayed the laying of concrete, the building schedule was set back by five weeks from its original completion date of 30 November.
A straight talker and preferring to be honest about what is achievable rather than let clients down, Shahn explained the situation to the client and set a new completion date which allowed an extra two weeks. “But I said that we would still try to hit that 30th of November date.
“And we did, which was pretty cool since we lost those five weeks. We made our clients a priority, keeping on top of the subcontractors. You know, we work closely with the same subbies all the time so they look after us.”
Built on a small lifestyle block the beautiful home includes a cathedral ceiling through the kitchen and dining area with a non-exposed scissor truss, lined in gib.
Thick slabs of 100mm polystyrene in the polished concrete, under floor heating, thermally broken aluminium windows and maximum insulation inside standard framing contribute to the homes efficiency and warmth. “The client is very happy with the house and the way that we guided them along the way.”
This article was brought to you in association with the following businesses…
