In good Gracefield: Jim the Builder

We are accustomed to seeing the perfection of the hill and architectural builds for which award-winning construction company Jim The Builder is renowned. A lesser-known string to their bow, however, is their expertise in earthquake repairs to existing homes.

A picturesque and historic bungalow in the central city was lucky enough to come to the attention of the team at Jim The Builder.

“It was a failed repair which needed to be redone, right from foundation reparation and relevelling through to the finishing character details. We needed to retain as much of the original structure as possible, such as the skirtings and architraves,” says director Jim Stenberg.

Having lived there since the early 1980s, the home owners had no intention of moving on from their cherished home, either before or after the repairs were completed, and were keen to ensure the home retained its authenticity.

“The most challenging part of any earthquake repair is the up-front paper work and agreeing on a scope of works with the insurer. After that, the building work is comparatively easy,” says Jim.

“We have a very strong compliance team working with us including quantity surveyors and project managers as well as lawyers, to ensure correct interpretation of the client’s insurance policy.”

Of course, building regulations have become more rigorous over time, and it is important that the clients receive a settlement including cover for those costs. Jim The Builder ensure that claims are settled in a non-adversarial way.

“We are working completely for the client’s interests and a big part of the job is understanding that clients have been on an emotional roller coaster for ten years,” says Jim.

“We keep that in the forefront of our minds on every project – that there has been pressure in clients’ lives and in their relationships. Only those that have gone through this process in Canterbury, as our team have, can really understand that.”