KAIPARA LIFESTYLER- Inspired to innovate
by Alan Wheatley
Published by Kaipara Lifestyler
25 July, 2023
A quiet and much-needed housing innovation by local company TL Build Ltd is taking shape in a modest yard behind a former panel beater's workshop in Dargaville.
TL Build Ltd's new project, Inspirational Homes, specialises in constructing transportable houses. Tim Pratt and his wife Leah O'Driscoll are the driving force behind the family-run project. Tim started the highly-successful Dargaville High School Building Academy more than 11 years ago. Joining them on the building site is leading hand Phil Crawford, another experienced building local.
While TL Build offers one, two, three and four-bedroom professionally designed and architecturally approved homes, this first build is a 94 square metre, two-bedroom home, with bathroom and ensuite, a mono-pitched roof.
Tim says the turnaround time for each build will be approximately 12 weeks.
"Whereas at Dargaville High School, I was training students to build very similar houses, the progress was much slower, as none of the students had any experience, so I was teaching while we built. This way, all of us have experience at some level, so the work moves much faster."
While the houses are built to plan, Tim says there is scope for some customisation.
"Our whole approach is innovation. For example, we are using ply for internal lining and ceilings that not only provides a nice internal ambience, but ply delivers superior bracing, which means little or no risk of damage during transportation compared to conventional linings."
Built for high wind zones is another feature that stands ouf in the design of these innovative homes, Tim says.
“With winds like so much of the whole area experiences, these homes are ideal for coastal living."
Tim says they work with their clients at every step. "Our product is affordable and high quality, and we will always fit in with client's design preferences."
Find article on page 14 of the Kaipara Lifestyler: https://issuu.com/nsmm/docs/kl_jul_25_23/14