Clive Barrington Construction Ltd first picked up an award in 1995, and in 2003 was given four awards, including the House of the Year Supreme Award.
The company also won awards in 2005 and 2007, as well as two in 2010 — the Outdoor Living Award and Gib Living Award for a stunning three-bedroom home in Christchurch.
Mr Barrington says winning the awards has really raised the profile of his company.
“The biggest advantage has been the public awareness of our skills. The competition is about showing the public what we can do, and there is really no better way to show it off,” Mr Barrington says.
Judges praised the 2010 award-winning home for its soul and interior living environment that cleverly integrates structural concrete forms into the interior space.
“The home creates an interesting dialogue with polished materials and the stunning exterior surrounds,” they said.
“Customer enquiries have definitely increased after winning the awards. It seems to be a really big thing for people — it’s quite unbelievable. The public love looking at houses, especially those ones that are actually in their price range,” he says.
The company did not enter the House of the Year competition this year due to the effects of Christchurch’s devastating earthquakes and the extensive damage to Mr Barrington’s own home. However, he encourages builders to take part.
“Builders really need to enter this competition. It makes staff and clients happy, and it’s a great way of showing off your staff and thanking them for their hard work,” he says.
“The competition is especially good for smaller companies — it is a great way for them to get their name out there without spending a lot of money on advertising.”
Mr Barrington got into the construction business 30 years ago, and a short time after that joined Registered Master Builders.
“I thought if I’m going to be a builder, I may as well be a Registered Master Builder. People have confidence in us because we belong to a reputable organisation. You wouldn’t buy a car from an unlicensed car dealer, and it’s the same concept for RMB,” Mr Barrington says.
The Awards are made possible through the support of principal sponsor PlaceMakers, and supporting sponsors James Hardie, Gib Living Solutions®, Pink® Batts® Ultra®, Nulook and the Department of Building and Housing.
For more information about the competition, go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz.
