New Plymouth builder Chad Niwa wasted no time establishing his building company in April 2017, having returned from a stint in London.
Business has gone well for Chad who says his decision to concentrate on building new homes, renovations and extensions and light commercial work has been the right one.
“For the first year I worked on my own, doing all the admin while fully on the tools however I’ve recently employed another qualified carpenter,” Chad says.
He tends to work on one project at a time, preferring to see one project completed before moving to another one.
Chad has also recently engaged with a workexperience student from New Plymouth Boys High, under the same scheme he first ventured into the building industry.
“It’s a great way for young ones to experience what it’s like on a building site, working under supervision while learning valuable skills. “I’m really happy to be able to offer this opportunity to someone else, given it was my stepping stone into building.”
Chad has recently completed a renovation and extension project in Vogeltown, south-east of the city centre.
Work began in December 2017 after Chad was approached by the owner, who had a concept plan designed by local architect BOON Architecture.
“The brief for the Carrington Street job was to contrast the existing classical bungalow to a new modern/contemporary 80sqm garage and sleepout addition. A new product to the market, Abodo Wood, was sourced and used to give a unique finish to this project. The project took two months to complete.”
When Business Central spoke with Chad, he was underway with a new kitchen/bathroom renovation.
He says, renovations are a core service and, while they can be more challenging than new builds, are a form of building he really enjoys.
“It is important to get time-frames right. Having great time-management is very key. Now that I have staff, I have to make sure the jobs flow on from each other,” Chad says.
With future plans to grow the business as demand dictates Chad says he’s enjoying the challenges that come with running a newly formed business while working full-time on the tools.
Chad says he is also keen to undertake more new builds and enjoys the balance that working with alterations/renovations and brand new projects affords.
“My wife Ginny helps out a little as needed but I made the decision that I needed to come to grips with all aspects of running this business, before teaching her.”
He’s certainly satisfied with the track-record of work to date. “As a small size business, we’re suited to the nature of work we’re currently undertaking.”
And when not on the tools, dealing with project management and ensuring that future projects are secured, Chad and Ginny are just about to do a complete renovation and extension on their own home.
“We’re really just keeping the front and everything else will be new so it is quite a major build ahead. I’m looking forward to making a start soon.”
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Chad Niwa concentrates on building new homes, renovations and extensions.
