Top properties in Southern region announced

A new home in Cardrona and a renovation in Queenstown have been named this year’s top Southern properties, winning Supreme Awards in the Southern Region Registered Master Builders PlaceMakers 2012 House of the Year.

A J Saville Builder Limited in Arrowtown took out the PlaceMakers Supreme Award for House of the Year for the second year running with its build of a home on Cardrona’s Crown Range in the New Homes over $2 million category. The home also took out the PlaceMakers Heart of the Home Kitchen Award and the Sustainable Homes over $1 million category.

Bamford McLeod Construction Limited was awarded the PlaceMakers Supreme Award for Renovation of the Year, as well as the Renovation Award over $500,000 for its transformation of a Queenstown house.
A J Saville Builder Limited’s build impressed the competition judges who say the home has been very well designed and superbly crafted with good attention to detail, especially considering the harsh environment that it sits in at certain times of the year.

“The home has been built on a very exposed site with stunning panoramic views. It has a resort feel about it inside, yet it still maintains very good functionality in terms of its layout and how it works.

“It has a real homely, comfortable feel and the design and detail in terms of craftsmanship is excellent.

“The kitchen is a master chef kitchen in the true sense. It is huge, very well designed and finished to an impeccable standard.”

Bamford McLeod Construction Limited’s renovation also pleased the judges.

“The builders had a good understanding of the client’s requirements and their dedicated craftsmanship brought those requirements to reality,” judges say.

“As numerous materials were used on this home, the builders have had to apply a range of skills to achieve a magnificent result. The exterior of the home is clad in schist and cedar to a very high standard, and the raking ceilings to the open plan living area are very well done.

“In a renovation such as this, it’s the little things that count. The builders understood the principles well and the result is a home virtually without fault. The finish of this home is a credit to the excellent craftsmanship of the builders.”

The builders’ entries were recognised by members of the Southern Region Registered Master Builders, made up of the Southland, Otago and Gore Associations, and the local building industry at Ascot Park Hotel on Saturday 7 July.

There were 22 Gold Award winners from the Southern Region which will now be assessed alongside Gold Award winners from the other 11 regions of the competition to find the National Gold Reserve finalists, which will be announced in September.

National category winners, PlaceMakers Supreme Awards for the Renovation of the Year and the House of the Year will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland in November.

The Awards are made possible through the support of PlaceMakers, James Hardie, Gib Living Solutions®, Nulook, Department of Building and Housing, Future-Proof Building and Master Build Services Ltd.

For more information about the competition, visit the Registered Master Builders website www.masterbuilder.org.nz.

Notes to the editor

About the Registered Master Builders 2011 House of the Year, in association with PlaceMakers
The competition is structured on two levels – regional and national. Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners are determined using a points-based system. These award-winners will be announced at 12 regional events held throughout New Zealand during July and August.

The top local Gold Award winners become national finalists, announced in early September. The national finalists are then re-judged by a National Panel of judges who determine the overall National Winners which are announced at a gala dinner in November.

About Registered Master Builders Federation

• The Registered Master Builders Federation represents New Zealand’s premier building companies and we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality houses and buildings to our clients
• We have been in existence for more than 100 years, providing industry leadership, training and services for our members
• We have a network of 22 regional Associations throughout New Zealand
• Registered Master Builders are assessed on their building experience, trade or professional qualifications, practical experience, financial viability, client satisfaction and workmanship before membership is approved
• Only a Registered Master Builder can offer their clients a Master Build 10 Year Guarantee.  These products cover loss of deposit, non-completion, defects in workmanship and materials and structural defects including rot*.  (*Conditions apply.)