Builders team up to trim costs

Two local builders are bringing a truly co-operative approach to house building to Wanganui.

Geoff Davies, of Geoff Davies Builders, and Shane Stone, principal of Shane Stone Builders, have buddied up in a unique development in Springvale.

While Mr Stone and Mr Davies continue to do business on their own accounts, they have created Springvale Holdings to develop land and home packages in the suburb.

They bought a section of land at the end of Brougham Pl, a cul-de-sac off Sussex Rd, when it came up for auction three years ago. Now they have started developing the 11 sections.

"We had this idea that we would like to develop it at some stage and there's a real shortage of sections around Wanganui and especially in the Springvale area," Mr Davies said.

One of the sections will have access off Springvale Rd but the rest will have access directly from the extension of Brougham Pl.

He said initially they thought there may have been issues with the peat soils which cover large parts of Springvale, but when the earthmovers took off the top half-metre of soil to create the new roadway, they found they were into sand.

"We've been lucky in that respect, so we can build the road virtually straight on top of that. We know Springvale is known for stormwater issues, but with some smart engineering we've got around that," he said.

Mr Davies said the sections should be ready for development in mid-June. The road would take about six weeks to complete and a show home would go in first.

In another interesting element to this project, they have joined a nationwide building co-operative called Competitive Homes.

"It's a new concept in home building based on a co-operative of independent and experienced builders from across the country, who have joined together with a group of high quality suppliers and designers.

"Because we are not a franchise we don't have to pay purchase fees or rebates on the sale price back to a franchisor, and don't have to pay sales people's commissions. They're savings we can pass on to the buyers," Mr Davies said.

The Davies-Stone combination would sell land and home packages.

He said there were 40 different plans available for potential buyers but they would look at other options.

"If someone comes along to us with a bit of a sketch, then we've got a draughting service which is free as another drawcard."

Mr Stone said the land and home packages would sit between $320,000 and $400,000.

The biggest section is 750sq m and the smallest about 500sq m.

When the pair bought the land, the only access was from Springvale Rd, and that was only a 3.6m-wide driveway and could only service three sections.

"The district council have been bloody good for us, really, because the success of the whole venture hinged on the access, and it's worked out."

Mr Davies said there was precious little subdivision happening in Springvale.

"The other point is it's in the Wanganui High School zone, is close to the city and the sports stadiums."