Tom Francis Building was set up to respond to local need. After the Wanganui floods in 2015 company owner Tom Francis saw a need for builders to help the region rebuild.
He had been working for other companies but saw an opportunity to establish his own business and assist the region.
The company is a real family business, also owned by Tom’s father Barry, who previously operated his own structural landscaping company in Wanganui for 20 years.
Tom, a qualified carpenter and Licensed Building Practitioner, went into building straight out of school and now offers his clients over a decade of experience.
Tom Francis Building has cut its teeth on renovation projects, both large and small. Tom says he enjoys the challenges of such projects and ensuring the existing and the new all blends into together perfectly.
The company is also branching out into the new build market as Wanganui grows and demand for new homes increases. The company has three new homes on the books for this year already.
“The population of Wanganui is growing as people see it is more affordable and move here from the bigger cities,” says Tom.
Tom Francis Building employs one apprentice, Ben Wade. The company focuses on one project at a time as Tom feels this is how he can offer his clients best value:
“This way we can do a quality job and also complete projects quickly. I’m on the tools and the client gets a more focused personal building experience,” he says. Tom Francis Building has just completed the renovation of a 1960’s home on St John’s Hill.
The project took place on a steep sloping section and Tom Francis Building came up with an innovative build method to ensure the project stayed within the client’s budget.
“The home was extended out over a bank by about six metres and was eight metres above the ground at its highest point.
“This would have required a lot of expensive scaffolding but we managed to minimise this by building the deck first then using that as a building platform to complete the extension to the home,” he explains.
The extension added a master bedroom with ensuite and walk in wardrobe onto the home as well as a large 80 square metre deck with steel pergola, inbuilt fireplace and raised garden.
“This project really demonstrates how we can come up with an innovative solution to save the client time and money.”
Tom Francis Building works across the Wanganui area and sometimes further afield depending on the project. The company is presently working on a new 264 square metre three-bedroom home in Fordell.
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Tom Francis Building does a variety of work including new builds and renovation projects.
