Matt Mudgway, owner/operator of Cambridge building business Savannah Construction says that since returning to New Zealand from eight years in Perth, demand for his services has never been greater.
Back in 2007 Matt became a Master Builders’ award winner in the Waikato Apprentice of the Year competitions and eventually ended up in Perth where he attained his LBP and Site Manager’s licence.
Today, running a company with upward of 20 employed staff, plus contractors, Savannah Construction has found its niche as multi-unit development specialists.
“We can see a strong future in this region building these apartment blocks. A number of them are being built on large sections once occupied by an original single dwelling. They are becoming a common site in and around Hamilton,” says Matt.
At this years Waikato Master Builders House of the Year competition Matt and the team took out line honours receiving three awards for an eightapartment block in central Hamilton.
Scooping a Gold Award and Regional Category win for the multi-unit sector, this has now led to winning a Gold Reverse Finalist position in the RMBA National Awards late last year.
The stylish cleverly designed units, aptly called ‘City Sophisticate’ at 25 Abbotsford Street impressed the judges.
With a floor space of around 115m2, exceptionally intelligent design has created a very liveable two-level dwelling.
The upstairs holds three double bedrooms and a bathroom, while the ground level is devoted to open plan kitchen, dining and living leading out to a private open courtyard. The single attached garage with laundry and a down-stairs toilet completes the picture.
Matt says the build went very well, even though structurally there were challenges, with a cantilevered front elevation, lots of awning roofs and four different claddings.
“Each unit occupies as much space as it can next to the shared accessway as the client wanted there to be priority given to private outside space at the back. We had a very good relationship with the developers, worked from great plans and the project came in on time and to budget.”
Another townhouse development for the same owners of ‘City Sophisticate’, also in Abbotsford Street, is now almost completed.
When Business Central caught up with Matt he was also heavily involved in a major construction
project at the Trevellyn Retirement Village in Victoria Street, Hamilton.
The 90-room facility is in its finishing stages with Savannah Construction contracted to provide all the building work. “We’ve become pretty experienced at building these multi-level dwellings now.
“When we started we basically took on anything we could but these developments are what we will focus on in the coming years.”
Matt is also strongly supportive of helping the next generation of new builders acquire solid construction skills. He understands the importance of giving up-and-coming builders an opportunity to grow.
“With so much building work on I can’t understand how any builder can operate without apprentices. “There are benefits both ways.
“We are really happy to train our future industry leaders and with six apprentices we are reaping the rewards of a team working hard to learn while building their careers.”
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These stylish, cleverly designed units scooped the awards at the Waikato Master Builders House of the Year competition.
