Building Stalwart Renews Roots in Kapiti

Building Stalwart Renews Roots in Kapiti

A leading building expert has renewed his love for the building process, and the Kapiti area, by investing in a local business.

Simon Barber, past president of Registered Master Builders’ Wellington Association, and now national vice-president, is so passionate about new home builds, he has swayed his wife Belinda to give up a career in the fitness industry to put down roots with leading building company Jennian Homes.

Simon has building in his blood – his family’s firm was established 50 years ago this year.

“We’re really excited to be the new owners of Jennian Homes Kapiti,” Simon says. “I have had my own building company, worked for a major building service provider and trained a good bunch of young employees over the years. I actually love progressing the difficult bits – completing the foundations on a brutal site right through to a successful build.”

Ask Belinda what one piece of advice she has for potential new-home buyers and she will say, “Compromise – it is all about give and take. If you want a huge walk-in wardrobe, let him have a third garage for his golf gear.”

Belinda may be talking from experience. Simon is a bit of a golf fan. A member of the Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, his advice to customers is that everything is achievable: “The only limitation is your imagination and your budget.”

Belinda has left her senior role in a fitness brand to work alongside Simon.

“I have been immersed in this industry through Simon for 15 years. We are yin and yang and bring different strengths to the business. We don’t always agree but we do have one common goal – creating homes that are stylish yet not untouchable. It has to reflect who you are so that when someone walks in for the first time they say ‘this is just so you’.”

Three months into the business, the couple is now getting into a routine and ensuring that as well as meeting potential customers in the area, they also have time with their children, “academic achievers” Charlotte, 13, Isabella, 11, and “up and coming All Blacks”, twins Benji and Vinnie, seven.

“We love this area and love that we are bringing up our kids here,” Simon says. “We aren’t alone in recognising how great the Kapiti Coast is, hence a shortage of land in the area. But we are here to stay so we want to build great homes for our soon-to-be neighbours.”

ENDS

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