(advertorial by the Westport News, 16th October)
That’s the motto of Westport’s new factory built housing company, South Peak Homes. Westport’s French and Hayman families started South Peak Homes in November last year, to create more employment in the town and help fix the housing shortage though out the South island.
They built a factory in Robertson Street which is now producing architecturally-inspired homes, ranging in size from 49-151sqm and from one to four bedrooms. Most of the homes are being delivered into the West Coast, Nelson, Tasman, Canterbury and Marlborough regions.
The first show home was officially opened to the public at 32a Eastons Road yesterday. This home has been onsite for a couple of months and has already had many visitors through, some travelling from outside the area.
Marketing Director Brad French said more South Peak homes will be popping up all over Westport and around the South Island. “Keep an eye out on Brougham Street, Utopia Road, Cape Foulwind, Derby Street, just to name a few.” The company is scaling up production to handle “a lot” of orders, Mr French said. Factory-built homes are often more cost-effective than onsite builds.
South Peak has 22 homes in its catalogue – 16 in its Peak Range “designer homes for those who love a contemporary feel” and 6 in its Core Range “bungalow charm or a simplistic style”. Named after South Island mountains, they arrive fully finished and ready to live in. South Peak takes care of everything, from house design to handover, so customers are working with one team throughout the process.
New home consultant, Shannon Carlson said our homes can be built much faster in our undercover factory, where the weather can’t slow things down, productivity is maximised and your site is not disrupted. He said customers were required to provide a small deposit for South Peak to prepare detailed concept drawings. The fee was deductible from the contract price of the new home.
South Peak would visit the site to take levels and obtain an engineer’s report. “You’ll receive a site plan, floor plan, elevations, kitchen plan and electrical plan, detailed pricing and full specifications for your project. “Importantly, your name is pencilled into our building schedule and your place in the queue is secured.”
South Peak employs experienced people in all areas of business including new home consultants, architectural designers, project managers and qualified tradespeople, and has a strong administration and management team. The homes are built with approved quality materials that meet New Zealand building standards. For customers unsure how to get a house on their favourite piece of land, South Peak will help work out the best accessway, put in a driveway, and undertake any site work required.
South Peak also offers a range of house and land packages, including small urban sections in town or larger rural lifestyle blocks, subject to availability. New homes are delivered by a professional house moving company. South Peak insures the transport process. South Peak’s home’s are professionally cleaned inside & out, with a detailed inspection of the home done before handing over to the new owners.
South Peak provides a 12-month ‘defect-free’ guarantee on all materials and workmanship and would repair or replace anything required, in accordance with their contract terms and conditions. All homes are covered by a 10-year structural building guarantee.
Mr Carlson said the most popular design so far was the Eastons Road show home, the Mantell, from the Peak Range (118sqm, three-bedroom, one bathroom, two toilets). “It has generous space and some beautiful architectural lines.” The Glasgow (80 sq m, two-bedroom, one bathroom) was popular for those looking to downsize. The Newton (88 sq m, three-bedroom, one bathroom) was “a little more traditional in its styling” and a great first home or investment property.
Director Rick Hayman said South Peak employed 12 staff, including four apprentices. It would take on another two staff soon. “We’re creating a great environment to learn the best home building practices and upskill local tradespeople.”
South Peak supported many local businesses & subtrades including Mitre 10, Flooring Plus, Buller Electricity, Craig Neill Plumbing, Craft Plumbing and Gas fitting, WLS Electrical, Douglas Plastering and Tiling, GP Contracting, IT@ Work, JM Painters, , Pearson Contracting, Bradley’s Furniture, Black & Dane, VK Skilton Painting and Decorating, Radcliffe Electrical, Waiwhero Sewage Design systems, Westport Hire, NZ Fernz, Avery Bros, Adams Construction, Reefton Crane & Construction and Design Windows in Greymouth.
The company gives back to the community through financial and volunteer support to many different charities and local projects, including sponsoring the new Buller Health first aid training manikins and the Kawatiri Trail Trust, Mr Hayman said.
The Westport show home open hours are: Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. Saturday by appointment only. Sunday closed for family day.
