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THE FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT The boom could go on for years,

but is it good news for everyone?

TOOL THEFT Equipment theft is on the rise,

so what can you do to protect your gear?

HOUSE OF THE YEAR SHOWCASE We’re proud to be the supplier for these winning designs

OCTOBER 2018

RED BEACH BEAUTYWe visit a new build that’s turning heads on the Hibiscus Coast

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WELCOMEWe might be facing a shortage of builders, but there’s no shortage of smart thinking going on in the building industry.

Welcome to the latest Bunnings Trade Issue.

You can define innovation as finding a new way to solve a problem or create an opportunity and there’s certainly plenty of that going on in the industry right now.

From clever new designs and materials, to smart apps and initiatives for the trade, you’ll find examples of smart thinking all through this issue.

We start with a visit to the site of a stunning new beach house just north of Auckland, before checking out some the House of the Year finalists. These amazing homes all incorporate the latest materials and smart home technology; with much of it supplied by Bunnings.

We’re pleased to be able to support tomorrow’s innovators today with the new PowerPass Apprentice programme. PowerPass Apprentice gives people entering the trade access to extra benefits, including preferential deals, exclusive trade-only products, invitations to industry events and much more.

If you’ve ever had tools stolen or borrowed and not returned, you’ll instantly see the value of Hoist, a clever new Kiwi-made phone app. By making it easy to identify and keep track of your gear, Hoist makes life easier for tradies and hopefully, a lot harder for criminals.

Our economic update looks at the ongoing building boom and its effect on the industry. The outlook might be good for the trade, but there’s a flip side in terms of rising labour and material prices. The opportunities are there but it’s going to take some innovative thinking to capitalise on them.

Enjoy the read and keep up the good work.

Des Bickerton,

Commercial Manager

CONTENTS

Beachside beautyBig, bold and built with Bunnings.4Latest innovationsThe finest in new fencing.6Bright forecast for building sectorHow will the building boom affect your business?9Tool insurance. Choose it or lose itBeating the burglars and borrowers.12Who will take out House of the Year?Check out the best of the best.14

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For any enquiries, contact us at BunningsTrade@bunnings.co.nz

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TRADE ISSUE OCTOBER 2018

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Trade Issue visits a newly built beachside luxury eight-bedroom home, designed for a big family, and even includes a separate self-contained, two-bedroom guest house with a garage and boathouse.

Drive north from Auckland toward Orewa and you’ll pass through Red Beach, once a sleepy community of retirees and baches, dotted along a pristine strip of sand at the start of Whangaparaoa Peninsula.

But lately, big things have been happening in Red Beach. Like the rest of the Hibiscus Coast, the area has seen intensive development as the city spreads north. New subdivisions are springing up and the quaint kiwi baches that once lined the beach are giving way to Takapuna-esque mansions.

Over the last 14 months, one new house in particular has attracted more than its share of curiosity. It’s not just the size - the house occupies two adjoining beachfront sections - what makes this home unique is that unlike its concrete and glass contemporaries, the design takes the traditional elements of the classic kiwi beach house and reinterprets them into a modern classic.

Designed by Trevor Wilson of Orewa practice, ARCreate, the 1,000 m2 three level, eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom home is imposing in its scale, but it projects a relaxed and rambling aesthetic that makes it feel less imposing. Arranged around a central, north facing pool, multiple living areas open onto the beach while bedroom wings extend left and right, framed by stone chimneys.

Built using Maglok DragonBoard flooring, the house is constructed with embossed tilt panel concrete panels and J Frame framing. Large aluminium sliders open onto the open ocean. The plan makes the most of the site and panoramic ocean views, while the outdoor spaces provide shelter from sea breezes.

There were still a couple of months left to go when we caught up with builder Marty Hyland to talk about the build. Set back from the beach with a wide expanse of deck and lawn framing an ancient pohutukawa, the house nestles into the site like an established part of the landscape.

Hibiscus Coast local, Marty knows a thing or two about high-end houses.

For 25 years he’s been building some of the most admired homes on the coast. So, when a local family commissioned him to build their sprawling new holiday home in Red Beach, Marty worked closely with architect, Trevor Wilson and Bunnings Silverdale to bring their vision to life. When Trade Issue caught up with Marty, the final work was being completed on the house. All it needed to complete the picture was a few tents on the lawn and a swingball game.

Q: “So Marty, it’s been a big project for you. How long has the construction process taken?”

A: “The actual construction started in April last year, but I came onboard for the planning stage, probably about 6 months before.”

Q: “Is this the biggest house you’ve built?”

A: “I’ve built some big homes, but this would definitely be one of the bigger projects I’ve been involved with.”

Q: “You recently built your own beachside home. Did that give you any insights for this job?”

A: “I’ve actually built a couple of my own places now. While the principles are the same, there’s obviously more logistics involved in a larger build, but I try to build every house as if I’m going to be living in it.”

BEACHSIDE BEAUTYBy Ben Chandler

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Q: “What was the inspiration for the size and the design?”

A: “Well, this really is a family home, designed for a large, extended family. The owners wanted it to have a quality feel and improve with age, like a home does. With the two sites, there’s room for everyone to have their own space.”

Q: “How many people were employed to work on the project?“

A: “We had three carpenters, plus a 3rd year and 1st year apprentice. Trevor Wilson did the design work and there was one structural engineer involved.”

Q: “That seems like a small team for a build of this size.”

A: “The whole project has gone really smoothly and that really just comes down to planning, organisation and teamwork.”

Q: “How important was it to have a trade supplier like Bunnings involved?”

A: “Working with a big supplier like Bunnings means I know when stuff is going to be delivered, well ahead of time. Bunnings also has access to a lot of innovative products that aren’t always in the warehouse and if you need something they’ll go out of their way to source stuff for you.”

Q: “Can you tell us about some of the products used in the build?”

A: “We used Mammoth insulation which is a partly recycled New Zealand made product that is great at helping improve a property’s Homestar rating.”

“We used Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for all the wall frames, floors and roof trusses. For a home like this, accuracy and quality are key, so all the structural timber is laminated which means it won’t warp or twist. I know every length is straight and stable and it’s easier to work with.”

“We used Accoya weatherboards because they are really stable which is vital in a coastal location and you can paint them dark colours without them warping. MagRoc SIPS was used for the foundations and walls, again because it’s great when you’re dealing with large dimensions. It’s a fibre reinforced cement board with a rigid foam insulation that can be used to construct floors, walls and roofs. It’s perfect for coastal areas as it’s resistant to salt and water.”

Q: “What are the key requirements you have of your suppliers when tackling a project of this size?”

A: “The key one is making sure they’re on time and stay in communication with me. It comes down to trust. I’ve been working with Bunnings for 25 years and I know I can always trust them.”

Talk to your local Trade Team or Trade Account Manager for a quote.

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LATEST INNOVATIONS

TAKE IT EASY Pre-oiled for easy installation, Kwila Balustrades are the ideal choice for your next building project. There’s nothing quite like the deep, rich colours of natural timber and SpecRite Kwila Balustrades are made from high quality timbers that are versatile for both interior and exterior applications. From $6.35 each excludes GST. 00035833

FAST FENCING Laminata Timber Fencing is a fresh take on the traditional timber fence. A lightweight timber with tongue and groove connections makes installation faster and easier. With a smooth bandsaw finish that looks the same on both sides Laminata cross laminated timber is an innovative and affordable fencing system.

TIMELESS TIMBER The classic timber picket fence is now more durable than ever thanks to SpecRite Kwila Fence Pickets. They come pre-oiled using Feast Watson Traditional Timber Oil and are ranked Durability Class 1 for a long life. Only select grade kiln dried timber from well-managed forests is used, giving you the ideal combination of quality and visual appeal. From $3.10/$3.57 each excludes GST. 00019534/5

BUILT TO LAST Made from powder-coated aluminium for low maintenance durability, Peak Balustrade Fencing won’t rot or rust, even in coastal environments. In fact, it’s so hard wearing it’s backed by a 20 year warranty. Fully customisable and designed for easy installation, Peak Balustrade Fencing comes in a range of glass and aluminium options.

Take your building project to the next level with the latest in fencing and balustrades from New Zealand’s leading brands.

We’ve unlocked new potential in good old fashioned wood.

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We’ve unlocked new potential in good old fashioned wood.

SUPPORTING YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR TRADE PROMISES

You can rely on us. We guarantee your delivery will be on time and in full as promised or no delivery charge.

If you are in a hurry, we can help. We guarantee that your phone order, if urgent, will be ready for pick up within 90 minutes.

No more out of stocks. We have put a list of your ‘Builders Essentials’ products together and we make this promise to you: Guaranteed in stock or delivered to site within 24 hours, or supplied free of charge.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Offers apply to Bunnings account holders only. DELIVERY: Products must be confirmed as an in stock product line. Delivery time must be agreed and in writing. PHONE ORDERS: Normal pick up quantities apply. Trade quantities excluded. Phone orders must be received between 9am – 4pm. Products must be confirmed as an in stock product line. Phone order must be requested as urgent for 90 minute pick up.

GIVE YOUR APPRENTICES A POWERFUL TOOLGET THEM TO SIGN UP TO POWERPASS APPRENTICEBunnings Trade has just launched a new PowerPass program designed specifi cally for apprentices. PowerPass Apprentice is designed to give them access to all of the great benefi ts of PowerPass, as well as some new benefi ts specifi cally for young tradies.

• Access to PowerPass prices

• Regular offers on a range of trade products specifi cally for apprentices

• Keep up to date on the latest products and innovations

• Invitations to exclusive trade events

• Bunnings Trade merchandise

All they need to apply is their apprentice registration number.

Give your apprentice a great kick start to their career and encourage them to jump online and sign up to PowerPass Apprentice at bunnings.co.nz/trade

See you, and your apprentice, at the Trade Desk.

Plus, if they sign up before the 30th November 2018, they’ll go in the draw to win one of 10 G-Shock watches worth $249.Time to get them moving!

TERMS & CONDITIONS Sign up to PowerPass Apprentice between 01/10/18 – 30/11/18 to be in the draw to win.Gift to be taken as stated and is non-exchangeable. Drawn 17/12/18.

BRIGHT FORECAST FOR BUILDING SECTORBy Sarah Brown

In 1998, construction of a new dwelling took approximately 6 months – this is now around 10 months, due in no small part to reduced availability of materials.

Trades Coach business mentor Andy Burrows finds a lot of his clients’ businesses are affected by longer lead times for building materials. “Builders need to provide orders a lot earlier in the build process, long before they are needed. For example, windows used to be order two to three weeks out – it’s up to 11 weeks now.”

He advises his clients to invest time in planning in projects more thoroughly, and to know what the lead time is for each of the materials at the start of the project, to reduce any impact caused by delays.

He also advises them to have more than one project on the go at any one time. “Having a mixture of work coming in (large and small projects) can help builders to manage resources and keep cashflow steady. That way when one project is experiencing delays in available materials, they can easily switch between projects and keep the business running steadily.”

Future Outlook

Burrows suggests long term success in the sector relies on planning for profitability, not driving down costs to close a deal as many large construction companies have recently done, by failing to allow for inflation in material and labour costs for longer term projects. “Success now relies on not just being a great builder but being the manager of a building company.”

Grant Florence, Chief Executive of New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) actively works with his membership on increasing profitability in the face of rising costs. The industry association provide tools and templates to members, as well as focusing on education. “We run 150 seminars around the country, such as workshops on how to price jobs correctly. We try to focus on a key areas and systems that will help builders become better business people” says Florence.

Utilising technology such as online accounting packages and job management applications can also help tradesmen manage profitability and help with procurement planning.

Along with increasing costs and delays in procurement industry representatives point to compliance costs and requirements as the largest challenge facing tradesmen at this time, as there’s currently no way to simplify the paperwork and admin time required to meet current building regulations.

“The easiest way to reduce build costs and speed up build times is reducing compliance” says Florence. “The Government needs to re-look at the requirements they’re enforcing on small business owners if they want the building sector to reach its full potential and start meeting the demand for new housing nationwide.”

By planning for potential delays, factoring in rising costs and managing workload, tradies are in a strong position to capitalise on the booming building sector. Upskilling, investing in technology, or seeking expert advice in business management can pay dividends; leading to improved profitability in the long term.

A bright outlook for New Zealand’s building and construction sector, forecast in the 2018 National Construction Pipeline Report, is leading to an increase in build costs. Housing Minister Jenny Salesa said the report indicated sustained construction sector growth through to 2023; a departure from New Zealand’s usual “boom-bust cycle”, and an indicator of growth in demand.This is good news for the sector. With overall business confidence dropping to its lowest point since 2008, and with private sector wage inflation set to rise, the construction industry is likely to avoid being affected by a possible economic downturn.

Increase in Costs

While the economic outlook for the sector is positive, increased demand from sustained growth is leading to an increase in costs. Master Builders estimates residential construction costs have increased by 10 percent over the last year. Part of that is labour, but materials are also going up, as are warranties, health & safety equipment and compliance, insurance, building consents, legal fees, and infrastructure costs.

Statistics NZ surveys the costs involved in building a new house on an annual basis. Most recently, construction components, sub-contractor charges, labour costs, local authority fees, administration, and fittings, have all been cited as reasons for price increases.

In total, material costs have risen an average of 3.15 percent in the year to March 2018, while inflation rests around 1 percent. Paints and varnishes have gone up over 6 percent in the same period, as have steel and other components crucial to reinforcing large construction projects.

A prominent residential building company has seen a 33 percent increase in framing timber in the last three years alone. “Each house build uses thousands of metres of framing timber, so that’s a massive increase we have to factor in to job quotes. Everything is getting more expensive for us” said a company representative.

Other industry representatives point to a steady increase in material prices over the past five years as a major factor in build costs – due in part to increase in demand, and an increase in labour costs for manufacturers.

Manufacturers with plants in Auckland have indicated they’re paying higher labour costs than the rest of the country, and the recent regional fuel tax impacts on national freight costs. Statistics NZ also cites exchange rate movements and raw materials costs changes as factors impacting on the overall cost of building materials.

Planning for Profitability

Availability of materials has been affected by the sector’s recent growth, as demand for building materials has skyrocketed, leading to significantly longer procurement lead time; ultimately impacting on build time.

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GIVE YOUR APPRENTICES A POWERFUL TOOLGET THEM TO SIGN UP TO POWERPASS APPRENTICEBunnings Trade has just launched a new PowerPass program designed specifi cally for apprentices. PowerPass Apprentice is designed to give them access to all of the great benefi ts of PowerPass, as well as some new benefi ts specifi cally for young tradies.

• Access to PowerPass prices

• Regular offers on a range of trade products specifi cally for apprentices

• Keep up to date on the latest products and innovations

• Invitations to exclusive trade events

• Bunnings Trade merchandise

All they need to apply is their apprentice registration number.

Give your apprentice a great kick start to their career and encourage them to jump online and sign up to PowerPass Apprentice at bunnings.co.nz/trade

See you, and your apprentice, at the Trade Desk.

Plus, if they sign up before the 30th November 2018, they’ll go in the draw to win one of 10 G-Shock watches worth $249.Time to get them moving!

TERMS & CONDITIONS Sign up to PowerPass Apprentice between 01/10/18 – 30/11/18 to be in the draw to win.Gift to be taken as stated and is non-exchangeable. Drawn 17/12/18.

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BUILDING ESSENTIALSALL PRICES ARE EXCLUSIVE TO POWERPASS & BUNNINGS TRADE ACCOUNT CUSTOMERS. VALID TO 1ST NOVEMBER 2018.

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

COMPOSITE DECKING137 x 23mm x 5.4m. Silver ash, greystone or highland oak. Sold in 5.4m lengths. 00267418/428/431

$1111PER LINEAL MTR

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$576PER LINEAL MTR

Kwila DeckingFSC® certified. Grip tread. 90 x 19mm. 00062735

PRICE

EXCLUDES GST

$941PER LINEAL MTR

Kwila DeckingFSC® certified. 140 x 19mm. Grip tread. 00062737

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$160Ekodeck Plus Quickfix Concealed Fix KitNo pre-drilling required. 316 grade stainless steel screws for greater corrosion resistance. 02400110

EXCLUDES GST

Redwood Sleeper200 x 95 x 2400mm. 08912695

$3510PRICE

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$3913Torx Drive Decking Screws304 Stainless. 10g x 63mm. 08912292

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EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

Not all services and products featured are available in all stores, but may be ordered. See in store for product availability. We reserve the right to restrict the purchase of commercial quantities. Prices quoted are exclusive to PowerPass or Bunnings Trade Account Customers and exclude GST. Prices valid until Thursday 1st November 2018, or while stocks last.

PRICE

EXCLUDES GST

$240Cargo Case1200 x 550 x 400mm. Rust proof fittings. Croc Loc Locking System. 00287318

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$5250mm Keyed PadlockDouble ball bearing locking mechanism for added protection from prying and hammering. 4-pin cylinder. 00321917

PACK OF 2

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$22

71mm Laminated Padlock30mm shackle. Steel body. 00018999

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$591.5m Security Chain6mm thick. Hardened steel. 00172171

EXCLUDES GST

$220

Quickstack 3 Piece Modular Storage KitMade out of a tough resin material. Ideal for on-site storage and transportation. Heavy duty latches and handles. 00034499

PRICE

ALUMINIUM CHECKERPLATE TOOLBOX1110 x 600 x 485mm. Durable aluminium checkerplate. 2 gas struts. T-Handle locks. Stainless steel piano hinge. Made in Australia. 05810168

$339

KEYLESS DEADBOLT DIGITAL DOOR LOCKKeyless entry for up to 100 users by PIN or KeyTag. 2 x Samsung KeyTags and batteries included. Easy new or retrofit installation and voice-guided programming. 04220527

EXCLUDES GST

PRICE

$375

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As the building boom continues, tool theft is booming along with it. We take a look at choosing tool insurance and a clever Kiwi app that helps you keep track of your gear.There are moments that really test your knowledge of the English language. One’s the old ‘hammer meets finger’ and the other’s when you discover that some #*%@ has nicked your tools.

If your gear was stolen tonight, would you be able to work tomorrow? Do you have a backup set, or some you can borrow? More importantly, would you have the cash to replace them?

As the name suggests, tool insurance covers the cost of replacing your tools if they’re stolen, lost or damaged. Most of the major insurers offer tool insurance and some include it as part of their general business insurance, so if you already have business cover, check the fine print.

Whether it’s cheaper to buy tool insurance separately or to add it to your business insurance policy will depend on the insurer and your own circumstances, so it’s worth shopping around for the best combination of price and options. Just be aware that some multi-policy deals don’t always offer the same level of cover you get with a specialised policy.

The most important thing to check for is that the policy offers “new for old” replacement. Some policies only cover the depreciated value for older tools, which isn’t much use if you have to replace a lot of expensive gear. The other thing to watch

out for is your excess. If it’s too high it’s pointless to make a smaller claim. On the other hand, a higher excess can mean a lower premium, so it’s up to you to set the balance you’re comfortable with.

You can’t earn a living without your tools so the other important thing to do is to find out how long the company takes to resolve a claim – a 48-hour turnaround is pretty standard. Set a figure and review it on at least an annual basis, particularly if you upgrade any of your tools. To ensure you have the right cover for your tools, you should add up their collective value or list the particularly expensive ones individually on your policy.

Being able to provide a record of what was stolen can help get your claim through faster. The easiest way is to register your gear with the police at snap.org.nz or download Hoist, a free app that makes it easy to keep track of your gear. It’s free and it could end up saving you time and money if you get burgled.

The downside of tool insurance is that it can be expensive, mainly because tools and trade equipment are targeted so often, usually with multiple items being stolen. Policies start around $400-$500 a year, but if you’re insuring $30,000 worth of tools it could set you back around $2000. If you’d rather keep your money, the alternative is to have an emergency fund, putting away money each month to cover the unforeseen. That takes discipline and there’s the risk that something could happen to your tools before you’ve built up enough to replace them.

Rob Moule, of Auckland’s Precision Construction, knows all about the difficulties of keeping track of gear. “We have projects all over town and stuff often gets loaned out” he says. “There was no app available to keep track of it - so we built our own.”

Hoist is a free app designed for chippies, plumbers, electricians and anyone who regularly uses and lends out expensive gear. You can create an inventory of your gear, recording the type, make and model of each tool and attach photos, receipts and serial numbers. The information is backed up securely in the cloud and you can access it easily for insurance, tax records and warranty claims. Once you’re set up, you can use Hoist to keep track of any tools you loan out and get them back on time. The system even sends out overdue reminders and keeps a record of tool condition “So two months from now, you’ll know who has your drill.” Rob says.

Hoist is free to download for individuals, but Rob says the next phase is team support for organisations. “With the rate of theft and loss, it’ll save businesses a lot of money.” You can download Hoist for free on Android or iPhone.

TOOL INSURANCE CHOOSE IT OR LOSE ITBy Ben Chandler

BUILD A DECK THAT LASTSPre-formed, adjustable joists that change the game for membrane decks

• Joists made of a post-treated LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) that won’t warp or twist

• Mounts are made from a composite rubber derived from recycled car tyres

• Customers have reported with 100% unanimity, how simple and effective the Deck Chair system is

• A cost-effective, supportive substructure for laying decks over concrete and membrane surfaces

• Allows level entry, meeting code compliance for drainage and entry height requirements

If you need to install a deck over a membrane while meeting code compliances for drainage and entry height requirements, the Deck Chair adjustable joist system is the fastest, easiest and most durable solution.

Made from post-treated LVL timber components and assembled in our factory, this ingenious product is ready to go with composite rubber joist mounts already attached. Joists come in 1200mm module lengths that connect together, which are adjustable for 0–2 degree falls.

Installation is quick and easy, saving time and money, while delivering a perfect result every time. It provides stable performance for your deck whilst also protecting the membrane surface, and is guaranteed to last for decades.

WHO WILL TAKE OUT REGISTERED MASTER BUILDERSHOUSE OF THE YEAR?

The prestigious Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards are once again up for grabs and the finalists have been named. There is an incredible line-up of building excellence that demonstrates design, artistry and craftsmanship – worthy of being celebrated. Bunnings has been a significant supplier to the two featured finalists built by Bemur Construction Ltd and Faulkner Construction Ltd. Bunnings has also supplied materials to the other finalists built by Shane Stone Builders, Hutt City Builders, Scotty’s Construction, M Hewat Construction, Build Republic, Home Trends Builders, Landmark Homes and Edinbridge Resources.

Faulkner Construction Ltd

An incredible rebuilding and remodeling project, by Faulkner Construction Ltd, allows this Auckland home to take full advantage of its water vista. The main living space is packed with architectural features including a bold dark weatherboard archway and the extensive use of glass which helps to makes the indoor-outdoor connection seamless. With its built-in headboard mantel, floating dressing table and daybed, the master suite delivers in detail. The lower level apartment with bedroom, bathroom and living area flows to a barbecue patio. Terraced grounds spill down to a spa deck, and further down again to a jetty-style viewing platform.

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Bemur Construction Ltd

Designed as a retreat, this contemporary home south of Auckland delivers 405sqm of stunning interiors which flow seamlessly to outdoor living which includes a fire place and an infinity pool. Bemur Construction have done an exceptional job with the large exposed trusses and concrete floors which sets the stage for a designer kitchen. Solar panels feed the pool and underfloor heating. The property has its very own wine cellar which can be accessed via a spiral stair case, it’s easy to see how it earned a spot amongst the finalists.

Gearing up for the build

Bunnings are proud contributors to both these projects, supplying high quality materials including; J-Frames & Trusses – random & balance of roof, rafters, concrete, cavity battens, building wrap, builders hardware, cedar weatherboards and box corners, insulation, GIB, Kwila decking, decking materials & hardware, drainage materials and boxing timber. Congratulations to all the finalists of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards.

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WE’RE HERE FOR THE TRADEBunnings Trade has your business covered. You’ll find a trade desk with trained Team Members in store and Trade Account Managers on the road, dedicated to helping you get the job done.

Here are just a few ways we can help:

Drive thru convenience

Trade quality and quantities

Stores where you need them

Dedicated Trade Centres

One account across all stores

Trade prices and exclusive offers