Renovating or extending an existing home presents challenges not often found in new builds. Builders are required to have extensive knowledge of a whole raft of building techniques as they seek to match new additions to established properties.
Added to that, builders and their contractors usually have to work around the day-to-day lives of people living in the properties being renovated.
Smith and Sons Hamilton are champions in the renovation business. This year they won New Zealand Franchisee of the Year for Smith and Sons, ahead of 25 other New Zealand franchises.
Charlie Robinson is the managing director of Smith and Sons Hamilton. He was the first builder to sign up to the New Zealand franchise 10 years ago. “I wanted a succession plan for my building business. I didn’t just want to shut-up shop when it came time to retire, so buying into the Smith and Sons franchise when they were just starting up in New Zealand seemed a good way for C A Robinson builders to carry on until I’m ready to step away and sell my franchise.”
Charlie runs the business with support from his brother Phillip who is also a qualified builder and licensed building practitioner. They usually have eight or nine carpenters working on projects at any given time.
“We’re very particular about who we take on,” Charlie Robinson says. “We require a high level of craftsmanship. We often need our carpenters to have those ‘old school’ skills, particularly when they’re working on 100-year-old villas, and other older buildings. But we also take on apprentices and are happy to take on builders who are keen to learn a variety of new skills.”
Smith and Sons offer a complete design, plan and build package. “In the first instance we’ll talk to the customer, discuss what they want and their intended budget,” Charlie says. “We’ll then bring in the designer to do an initial plan. There’s usually a bit of to-ing and fro-ing as we set about completing much more detailed plans and do more accurate costings. We try to ensure there are no big surprises once construction is underway.”
The beauty of offering a three-fold service, design, plan, build, means that a Smith and Sons representative is the single liaison person from start to finish. Charlie is all too aware of how stressful a building project can be. “We want all our projects to run as smoothly as possible and fit within the customer’s budget.”
In September this year, Smith and Sons Hamilton moved from Claudelands to new premises in Tawa Street, Melville.
The performance of the Hamilton franchise has impressed the franchise’s North Island general manager Reon Paterson. He says the Hamilton business is consistently good in turnover and performance. “They’re profitable, and you can’t run a business if you’re not, and they’re known for looking after their clients well. They have a good reputation in Waikato.”
Smith and Sons require all franchisees to be owned and operated by licensed master builders and Reon Paterson says every franchisee is required to keep very detailed records. “They do monthly reporting that covers the total business — costs, profits, sales, customer service — and it’s those results month on month that determine the franchisee of the year.”
Charlie was surprised and delighted to take the national franchisee title, having won the North Island title in 2018. He takes it as a signal that they’re doing everything well most of the time. “The month by month reporting means we’re continually analysing the business, looking to where we can improve. And if something shows up that isn’t quite right, then it’s picked up quickly and addressed.”
The national Smith and Sons franchise works to continue its strong reputation. Reon says there are advantages focusing only on renovations and extensions.
“The most successful businesses don’t try to stretch themselves too wide, but rather operate in niche or specialist markets. No two jobs are the same and often our builders are working in tricky situations, in houses where nothing is straight or square, where access is difficult and they’re constantly challenged with marrying up the old with the new.”
He also says it’s essential that the franchise keeps in touch with ever-changing building regulations and new trends, products and innovations in the sector.
“We encourage our builders to do their own research but we also bring our franchisees together twice a year to ensure they’re abreast of regulations, changes in the industry and to meet with our supply partners. It’s also a good opportunity to discuss general industry issues and to outline any plans we have for the franchise as we continue to grow.”
Back at Smith and Sons Hamilton, Charlie Robinson and his team are enjoying working in a fast-growing region. The economy is strong and interest rates are low, which is good for the building industry, and they’re fielding a lot of enquiries as people choose to stay where they are and add on or renovate existing properties, rather than moving to new neighbourhoods or properties further away from the CBD.
For more information on Smith and Sons Hamilton go to https://www.smithandsons.co.nz/renovation-builder/hamilton-waikato
