Highlights from the Transbuild Home Expo: Design, Detail, and the Kiwi Way
Review by Charlotte Black, Local Creative Writer & Blogger. Videography by Kingfrischer Productions
As a creative professional and homeowner, I am highly critical of products marketed towards me. Identifying and interpreting aesthetics quickly, I am seldom fooled by ingenuine campaigns or forced passion for a product.
So, when attending the Transbuild Home Expo for the first time, it was pleasing to find a team of people so sincere in their approach to a product. With Transbuild, it is this excellent team of people who form the basis, for the creation of a home, easily transported to your site.
On arriving to the expo, the crowd was welcomed by George Khoury the Commercial Manager who gave a speech expounding thoughtfully on what makes a home a home, before introducing special guests Maaka Potini from Ngati Tamaoho, Guardians of the Land in Papakura, Anna Mayne the Engagement and Partnership Ambassador, together with Papakura local board Chair Kelvin Hieatt, his colleague Jan Robinson and the CEO of Transbuild Sam Paterson.
Maaka Potini led a Karakia, followed by a beautifully sung Waiata by Anna Mayne. Maaka Potini then blessed the new build Ruapehu and it was officially introduced and opened for all to see.
“Walking through the expansive slider doors my attention was caught, first, by the space and luxury offered in this home, followed quickly by surprise. Standing in this room with high ceilings and optimal space, it was difficult to believe that I was in a transportable home. With beautiful light, impeccable colour choices and features such as a textured wood wall incorporated into the design, no element was missing.”
Indeed, the well thought out details continued throughout, with room for four generous bedrooms, beautiful bathroom with bathtub, walk-in wardrobes, spacious ensuites, separate laundry and even a scullery – no detail lost in an incredible home. The marketing material was helpfully displayed with endless possibilities. A newly created brochure makes dealing with themes, colour choices, fixtures and fittings a breeze for even the most beguiling novice or uncertain customer.
A quick tick of the desired look from the brochure, such as ‘coastal’ helping a customer achieve their dream with or without needing to know design concepts and continuities. A client I spoke to on the day was delighted to have a team of people helping her through the process and was prepared with a list of enquires.
Once finished dreaming in Ruapehu, I was able to enjoy a complimentary Supreme coffee while sitting watching kids play the games provided. A thoughtful addition for busy children while parents explored the other show homes also onsite, the Huxley and Kawarau options. The day was bright and warm and there was plenty of seating with umbrellas to enjoy it.
A welcome smell of barbequed sausages with onions and sauce was offered and a promise of ice-creams and doughnuts for later in the day, all gratis from Transbuild. An exciting spin the wheel held the possibility of multiple exciting prizes for those committing to builds on the day and even a raffle for all was drawn at mid-day. The event was fun and well organised, with all employees present and well presented, with endless happy answers to any questions posed.
Later meeting with Rob Shore the Site Works Manager, I was impressed with work I was able to view in preparation for transporting, and another build already on a truck, destined for site. Responsible for the management of the build from factory to site, he walked me through the actions required to ensure the build can travel to its destination. He explained the process once the build has been delivered, confirming everything is correct and finalising details such as organising water connection, gas and electricity. Transbuild organise all of this, as well as anything additional desired, such as landscaping, or are flexible if customers want to organise some components themselves.
Customers can appreciate a turn-key experience; turning up with everything done except moving their things in, something which appealed to me greatly after renovating my own house for close to six years. With his candid responses to my questions, I liked the genuine answers Rob gave me. He explained that while occasionally a location is too difficult, customers are guided on the possibilities available to them based on their site requirements.
As a registered builder himself, he is able to help adapt a design to fit a location, even if it means building a component on site to finish the build. Specifics it seems are what Transbuild have covered. Even the company that they use to move their builds looking the part with sparkling white and chrome trucks beautifully presented, just like goods they are moving.
The care taken in creating the Expo seems to reflects the strength this company has, where the authenticity of the people, contribute greatly to creating an excellent product. As an onlooker I observed as potential clients were taken on a journey from start to finish of the process in which their own builds would be created. I was impressed as I listened, to enquiries patiently answered, even if the detail was far removed from the stage being discussed.
In speaking to members, it is clear that this team is not only ardent in their approach to their individual speciality, but collectively, are genuinely interested in seeing the work through, from beginning to end.
“From their talented sales team to the administrators, marketing, builders and logistics, Transbuild manages to create a linear process where customers are included and considered. This paired with an astoundingly quick and manageable twelve week build and delivery time frame, leaves customers feeling happy and confident with their build.”