Specialist duplex builds on the rise
Duplex construction is booming in the suburbs of Hamilton, says Ardent Building Developments owner Steve Dixon.
Hamilton City Council statistics show a surge in consents for attached dwellings over the three months to May 2018.
A duplex is two units separated by a common wall. They can be similar or different designs.
Dixon and Multi Construction co-owner John Screen have worked together on infill or ‘‘brownfield’’ projects, building apartments, units and duplexes in Hamilton’s established suburbs.
They have completed seven duplex developments in the past two years.
‘‘If you can buy a bit of property that’s big enough at the right price to put a duplex on it then it will probably become worthwhile,’’ Screen said.
‘‘Council regulations determine what you can do. It needs a decent-sized section to get a duplex on and sometimes you need to go two-storey. We estimate what we can sell the unit for, deduct the building cost and that gives you an idea of what you can afford to pay for the section.
‘‘There are many things to consider like stormwater, drainage and earthworks – a sloping section may need retaining, which can add $100,000 to the cost.’’
Ardent Building Developments does the work for Multi Construction. Together, they have worked on 15 projects in the past four years, comprising 72 dwellings.
Multi Construction, owned by John and Devon Screen, has 18 years’ experience building high-density housing in Hamilton.
The company has completed about 400 apartments and units in the past 15 years, and was among the first to build duplexes. Most have been on existing sections.
Duplexes started growing in popularity about three years ago.
‘‘Everyone was too frightened to come into the residential areas and do it. In the end it’s up to the council to approve the projects,’’ Screen said.
Finding suitable properties is always a challenge and Multi Construction usually relies on word of mouth.
‘‘We sometimes go to auctions but most of the time people see what we’re doing and approach us,’’ Screen said.
Dixon’s company, Ardent, has done all sorts – housing, apartments and units.
‘‘I’ve got a team of nine guys. My role is to organise them and the subcontractors, as well as manage the projects. Having a good bunch of guys makes a huge difference.’’
According to a council analysis for the three months ended in June, 276 dwellings valued at $70 million in total were approved for construction in Hamilton. This included houses, apartments, townhouses and units.
Demand for high-density dwellings flattened in 2016 but reached a historical high in 2017, with an increase of 64 per cent on the previous year.