Strong Entries in 2005 House of the Year

Media Release

For Immediate Release

11 May 2005

Strong Entries in 2005 House of the Year

The Registered Master Builders PlaceMakers House of the Year and Commercial Awards have attracted a high number of entrants again this year, with a particularly strong presence in the James Hardie Show Home and New Homes $200,000 - $400,000 categories.

Registered Master Builders Federation CEO Chris Preston is pleased with the 577 entries received from around New Zealand and believes that the growth in entries within particular categories is reflective of market trends.

“At present, consumers are calling for more customised and cost-effective solutions to building. They are interested in seeing examples of builders’ work which is reflected in the increasing number of entries in the show home category this year,” says Chris Preston.

Christa Mair, Product Manager at supporting sponsor James Hardie, agrees and adds that the increase from 37 show home entries in 2004 to 53 in 2005 is because of the increasing number of ‘group-home’ builders in the residential market.

“Group-home builders are making a big in-road in the residential market and show homes are a critical tool for displaying their individual style to the marketplace. I believe the number has also increased as many new Show Homes have been designed with sought after Linea Weatherboards, which has provided builders with a greater incentive to enter the Show Homes category which James Hardie sponsors,” says Christa Mair.

New homes priced between $200,000 - $400,000 have also attracted large entry numbers reflecting where they sit at the median price range for New Zealanders building at the moment.

National winner of the 2004 New Homes $180,000 - $250,000 category Allan Hartwell of Chartwell Homes in Tauranga, believes that the competition continues to remain strong because it’s providing a benchmark for the industry’s best.

"It’s a tough competition, but definitely worth it. While we already had an excellent reputation for quality homes, it’s just an extra reassurance for our clients to know they are building with a national winner,” says Allan Hartwell.

Chris Preston believes the positive response in entries, particularly in the show home category, means 2005 is going to be another big year for the competition, as does David Worley, CEO of principal sponsor PlaceMakers.

“We’re looking forward to the Registered Master Builders PlaceMakers House of the Year competition this year and are proud to have been involved since it began 15 years ago. It continues to go from strength to strength each year, in growth and innovation,” says David Worley.

The Registered Master Builders PlaceMakers House of the Year is supported by principal sponsor PlaceMakers; and Lifestyle, Commercial and Supporting sponsors James Hardie, GIB Living Solutions® , Origin® , Tasman Insulation (Pink® Batts® Ultra), Mico Plumbing Supplies (Mico Bathrooms), and Housing New Zealand Corporation.

Ends

About the Competition

In its 15th year, the Registered Master Builders PlaceMakers House of the Year is structured on two levels – local and national. Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners are determined in 20 local competitions around New Zealand using a points-based system. Entrants are marked against a scorecard with one overall winner awarded in each category. The Top 100 Gold Award become National Gold Reserve Award recipients. The recipients are judged again by a new, national judging panel to determine national category winners, as well as the 2005 PlaceMakers Supreme Award. The commercial entries are separately judged by a national commercial judging panel which determines local and national award winners as the same time.

Local judging starts this month with the 100 Gold Reserve Award winners announced on Monday, 1 August. The national winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Auckland on 15 October.

About Registered Master Builders

Comprising residential, group home build, specialist and renovation builders, and commercial building and construction companies, registered master builders currently build 64% of all construction in New Zealand, estimated at $7b in the 2004 year.

To find out more about registered master builders please call 0800 269 119, or check out www.masterbuilder.org.nz

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