Phillip’s background:
I grew up in the George surrounding area, at Outeniqua Strand, attending Outeniqua High School and matriculating in 1993. Growing up in a builder’s home, I spend a lot of time on building sites helping my father. This developed and founded my interest and passion for working with my hands. An unfortunate accident prevented me from completing tertiary studies at Port Elizabeth Technicon. Following the recovering process, my father insisted that I join him in 1995 under apprenticeship, learning the different aspects of building construction, business trade, and respective phases of construction. My apprenticeship included mastering each phase from being a general labourer tending to mixing mortar, general bricklayer and plastered, carpenter, electrical installations, plumbing installations, site management and eventually managing building projects. In 1999, I was approached by CTM in Somerset West to join them due to the building background. 2 years later I ended up at CTM George, being assistant manager to the franchise. During this period I was fortunate enough to develop business skills in the retail industry, but more vitally, becoming a Master-tiler under the CTM/Italtile Tiling Academy courses in Randburg and Brackenfell centers. In 2001, I joined forces with Mr RD Newham, speculating in property through purchasing residential and industrial buildings, developing and renovating the property portfolio. The successful partnership lasted until 2006, which included small cluster developments, purchasing of dilapidated residential buildings and turning them into class leading family homes, and also contracted in applying luxury finishes to part-build homes into a “turn-key” environment. In 2008, I was approached by an Insurance Assessing company, to assist in building related claims. During the past 6+ years I was fortunate enough to see the industry from another point of view, as an Assessor. Valuable skills and knowledge into the building environment were acquired during the period and furthermore developed a passionate need for personal relationship. During the period I found myself longing to return to the industry where my passion was – building, construction, maintenance and repairs. I discovered the great demand for a trustworthy building contractor with an open personal relationship between contractor and client. I also identified the need for a multi-skilled contractor whom can attend to various aspects of general repairs and/or maintenance, due to most local repairers only wanting to attend to their limit extent of their capabilities. With an estimate 54 years of knowledge and experience in the building industry, pasted onto me from my father, I believe that I can contribute to the public and insurance companies demand/need of a multi-skilled building repairs contractor successfully.
What we do:
We focus on three main features of expertise:
1) We offer a multi-skilled professional service for general repairs, accurate renovations, maintenance and construction, in a cost effective way to the client’s needs and/or circumstances, through an open channel of communication. Due to the fact that we can manage almost any construction application, we offer a wide range of work able to be concluded by ourselves – subject to any specialist work needed to be done in terms of the NBR (National Building Regulation) and Local Building Regulation. This leads to a single appointment and contactable reference during the process and post application of the repairs/renovations.
2) We also offer a Home & Building Inspection service. The service was established to provide an accurate record to the condition of a premises due to the demands enforced following the implementation of the CPA. The record of a building is imperative to any sale or rental agreement, due to ongoing disputes uncovered during the sale or rental of properties. A detailed record of the building would allow the applicable parties to refer to the condition of the premises prior to the agreement of sale or rental, limiting any future disputes. The reports are factual based due to attending to each premises in a full inspection to its condition and circumstances. We are unaffiliated to estate agents, property managers, and/or building contractors, which allows the reporting not being influenced. In the report, we will suggest repairs and/or preventative solutions, including estimate costs thereto. However, we respectfully refrain doing the repairs and/or preventative repairs due to the conflict in interest found thereof. We are not affiliated to any claimed building inspectors association, due to the fact that no official regulatory governing body existing in the South African industry. However, we find our service in line with the intent of our South African counterparts.
3) We also offer a problem solving solution. Whether it being a latent issue to the building, future similar damage prevention solution, identifying of problems relating to the building and/or supply thereto, and/or a DIY project gone wrong or left incomplete.
Mission statement:
We intend to provide a multi-skilled professional repairs experience to the public and insurance industry - our focus primarily being on a relationship from the time of enquiry to the handing over of the work. We strive in providing a cost effective solution done to the standards required in the application. Our work done comply with the National Building Regulations and Local Building Regulations to the furthest extent. All advises given are done with the best intention to resolve the matter at hand, or provide a solution to the best possible condition of the said problem, as prior to the damages leading to the problem/damages. We also intend to always provide options and solutions to prevent future or similar damages thereto, which could lead to further costs to the client. Our business principles are based on integrity, honesty, open relationship with our clients, and good business practices.
Quotations:
We will quote, free of charge, within 25km radius of George CBD. Our quotes will be true and correct as far possible, with as much details on the scope of work and materials needed. The intent being based to provide a quality service at a cost effective rate. We will advise on proper solutions and options to follow, according to the clients needs. Brief reports can be supplied on request. Our resources in specialist contractors will be used to provide quality work within the regulations applicable. Material used: We make use of the prescribed material by the client and/or consultant (architect and/or engineer). However, we make use of SABS approved material as best we can, according to the NBR (National Building Regulations). During the quote/tender process, the material will be detailed as best we can, in the attempt to prevent any confusion in the finished project expected – further details/specification can be provided upon request.
Our team:
The intention is that a personal relationship exists from time of meeting with the client, to the handing over of the complete work. Therefore, I find it paramount that I tend to all work myself, even should we make use of a specialist contractor (architect, engineer, electrician, plumber, etc). We make use of a small 2-3 man trustworthy team to perform the required scope of work. No worker/contractor shall be left at a site to complete work unsupervised. The business function is overseen by myself, with the financial and invoicing overseen by the part-time admin lady (Marie De Kock). We make use of a number of subcontracting specialists (specialists whom we have a firm relationship build up over the years) in respective fields to complete projects and/or design/advise us accordingly.
Insurance details:
We have the appropriate liability cover in place, but suggest that the client inform and notify their respective insurer of the relevant repairs/maintenance/construction taking place at the address, due to the change in risk. We take due care in the work done (to the best of our capabilities) to the extent of the surrounding work and information provided to us.
