Hutton Builders: From Concept to Completion with Confidence

Recently, David from Rapid QS visited Hutton Builders' Jana and Lance, at Kawakawa Bay to discuss a three-phase project that included a renovation, an extension, and a Farley-style sleepout area. The team walked him through their design-build approach, showing how they manage complex projects from start to finish. Here's what we covered.

Tackling Complex Renovations

The featured project involved lifting the existing house, installing new steel and bearers, and building underneath before lowering the second story back in place. The team navigated council requirements, detailed planning, and labour-intensive foundations - all while keeping the project on budget.

Lance explained, “Labour is probably the hardest one. Renovation. Hand digging foundations, getting guys under there for weeks, that’s tough.” He also noted the importance of budget management: “We’ve sort of come back to budgets quite a bit on this one… otherwise, you’re only going to get that portion of the work. If you can put more effort into spreading the budget, you get the rest of the job.”

A Thoughtful Design-Build Process

Hutton Builders uses a single point of contact for clients, ensuring smooth communication. Every project is carefully broken into phases, whether it’s a renovation, extension, or sleepout, and every aspect — from steel work to interior finishes — is meticulously planned.

“Everything’s designed as one project, from flow to spacing. We work with trusted subbies and suppliers to make sure everything runs efficiently,” said Lance. This approach reduces surprises and keeps construction running smoothly.

The Details That Matter

The project included exposed timber finishes, polished concrete floors, and carefully engineered steel structures. Lance highlighted practical planning: “With detailed balustrading timber finishing trims on a mezzanine floor, working at heights… you need a 15–20% buffer on those labour items purely to allow for extra time allowances and a potential slowdown of work.”

“We always work out labour and materials thoroughly so we can quote accurately for new clients,” Lance added. “That helps us maintain quality while keeping projects on budget.”

Building Relationships, Not Just Houses

For Jana, Lance, and the Hutton Builders team, relationships matter as much as construction. They carefully select clients they’ll work well with, and many clients stay in touch long after the project is complete.

Lance said, “We love what we do, and it shows in the projects we deliver… most of our clients always ask us to come down. It’s about building relationships as much as the house.”

Watch the Episode

See the full episode on Bold Builds with David from Rapid QS to get an inside look at how Hutton Builders brings projects to life.

Let's talk about planning your dream home.

For us, it’s not just about building houses. It’s about guiding clients with care, integrity, and expertise, making sure the journey to a dream home is as rewarding as the destination itself.

Contact Hutton Builders