Raising the Standard / David Reid Homes Waitaki & South Canterbury
The last year, for Aaron and Nikki Mackay of David Reid Homes Waitaki, has been a whirlwind of hard work, busy family life and well-deserved recognition.
Sweeping success at this year’s Registered Master Builders House of the Year regional awards, winning gold awards for all three of the homes they entered, suggests the owners of David Reid Homes Waitaki, Aaron and Nikki Mackay, are doing something right! Add in winning the David Reid Homes, Home of the Year Award for 2018 – a ‘people’s choice’ award – and it’s clearly been a monumental year.
From their current home in the tiny settlement of Otematata (population 186 as of the 2013 census!), this powerhouse couple run a successful building company, designing and constructing homes from Geraldine to Twizel and Palmerston, and everywhere in between. Both born and raised in
Oamaru, they know the region well
– a huge advantage when it comes to understanding the climate extremes that local buildings must contend with. After a stint in Australia, the pair returned home with Aaron contracting to David Reid Homes until three years ago, when the opportunity came up to purchase the franchise. Nikki was seven months pregnant with twin boys at the time, but despite a busy life Aaron and Nikki have taken their business from strength to strength.
As a Licensed Building Practitioner with 15 years in the industry, Aaron prides himself on providing top-quality service and a top-quality product, working closely alongside clients from start to finish. ‘We are with the client from day one,’ explains Nikki, from working with a real estate agent to find a section, to the design and build of homes that are unique and individual to each client. ‘Being a builder really helps at the planning stage,’ Nikki adds. ‘Aaron knows what’s practical and will keep build aspects within the budget.’
This year, David Reid Homes Waitaki and South Canterbury entered the Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition for the first time, and at the Mid Canterbury regional awards, Aaron and Nikki were thrilled to win gold with all three houses entered. Two of these were named category winners and were also placed in the top 100 entrants in New Zealand, meaning they will go on to
compete at the National House of the Year competition. The homes range from an economical build to a large family home, and are all very different in style.
With a team of eight expert builders who have all been with them long-term, and a network of trusted subcontractors, Aaron manages projects across Waitaki. Business is busy in Oamaru, where a shortage of sections led to Aaron and Nikki developing their own 14-section subdivision at Weston, and is also booming in Twizel, but they build homes throughout the area. Dedicated to ‘raising the standard’, they pride themselves on building quality homes befitting the region they love.
Keep an eye out for their new show home opening autumn 2020 in Weston.