Howick building company Faulkner Construction has picked up three gold awards at the 2021 Master Builders Auckland House of the Year Awards.
The company set a new standard of achievement at the awards – held just before lockdown – for its crew of 25 carpenters receiving three golds across three separate categories with projects led by three different foremen.
It adds to a long list of award picked up over the years in the House of the Year awards.
Meanwhile Evolution Builders picked up four awards including the Supreme Award, New Home over $2 million Gold Award, Regional Category Award and the Craftsmanship Excellence Award for its work on an Eastern Beach home.
Evolution Builders, co-founded in 2001 by Craig Parker of Beachlands and Brent Varley (Westmere).
A description of the build reads: “Has a ‘simple timber box’ ever looked so good? The concept was the starting point for this sublime 435sqm home with intricately detailed exterior screens. Downstairs, the living areas are elevated on a concrete platform so the owners can see the beach across the road. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors connect to the outdoors and the back of the house opens to a walled garden containing a pool and orchard.”
Faulkner Construction’s Adriaan Kant received a gold award in the Resene New Home over $2 Million category. He puts the firm’s success down to two key factors – a relentless expectation for quality and a deep passion for building.
From the start of his time with Faulkner Construction, Kant says carpenters are immediately introduced to a high standard of quality and craftsmanship.
“From the first interview with (founder) Ross Faulkner, our carpenters have instilled in them that quality is not negotiable and that a high standard of craftsmanship is expected,” says Kant.
Ross, who started Faulkner Construction 40 years ago, says these standards are maintained by growing a team of foremen, many of whom joined the company as apprentices.
Faulkner’s passion for building is reflected by the team’s participation in the Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Awards, which they participate in most years with team members placing first (2010), second (2017, 2020, 2021), and third (2012, 2020) in the Auckland competition.
Will Moore – who received a gold award in the Carters New Home $1 Million – $1.5 Million category – says that he’s been encouraged by the Faulkner team to keep learning and developing himself as a builder throughout his seven-year journey from apprentice to gold medal-winning foreman.
“From the get-go, we are taught to have pride and excellence in our work, in how we present ourselves and how we behave around clients and other sub-trades,” Moore says.
This sets a precedent where everyone strives to build to the best of their abilities, he says.
“Helping our apprentices to achieve the high standards is a team effort, whether it’s Ross checking in to discuss any challenges they’re having with their theory studies or the quiz nights they attend with our qualified carpenters to hone their skills.”
As the eldest of three Faulkner sons involved in the business, Phil Faulkner was proud to receive a gold award in the Bunnings Renovation Over $1 Million category this year. He’s watched his father build this culture of pride and excellence over 40 years and a mantra that quality is non-negotiable.
“We love working together as well,” Phil Faulkner says.
“There’s a great work ethic across the group and we work hard to maintain a good team culture and working environment on site and socially.
“But it’s also about the small things that we do every day – whether it’s giving positive feedback when something has been done well, helping a young builder to develop a better eye for detail, asking them to explain how they’re going to work through a task or sharing insights with workmates about new ways of doing things. “We’ve created a great building company by encouraging our people to become great builders.”
Courtesy BCITO
Results (local)
Evolution Builders
Eastern Beach
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
Resene New Home over $2 million
Regional awards won
Regional Supreme House of the Year
Regional Pink Batts Craftsmanship
Regional Category Winner
Regional Gold
National awards won
Top 100
Faulkner Construction
Whitford
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
Resene New Home over $2 million
Regional awards won
Regional Gold
Faulkner Construction
Beachlands
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
CARTERS New Home $1 Million – $1.5 Million
Regional awards won
Regional Gold
Stroud Homes – Auckland South
Beachlands
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 – $1 Million
Regional awards won
Regional Silver
G Donaldson Builders
Beachlands
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 – $1 Million
Regional awards won
Regional Silver
Faulkner Construction
Ponsonby
Region & category:
Auckland / Northland / Coromandel
Bunnings Renovation Over $1 Million
Regional awards won
Regional Gold
