I did my apprenticeship in carpentry and was running my own business in New Zealand when, in 2008, I decided it was time for a change and started looking for a new challenge.

Of the few Australian building companies I spoke to, Bellevarde’s John Fielding was the only one who took time out of his day to show me around some sites. His passion for building was obvious. When he offered me a position, I decided to leave New Zealand behind and move to Australia.

I started as a leading hand on a few Bellevarde jobs. One day, a client’s place got broken into and I was asked to take care of the repairs. Looking back, this was probably my first maintenance job for Bellevarde. It was a turning point and I never looked back.

Preventative and scheduled maintenance is an important responsibility and is just as challenging as building. The Maintenance Team and I ensure that our client’s homes are maintained in the best possible condition, reducing long term repairs. An issue that might appear straightforward at first glance can often turn into something more involved. With Bellevarde houses, almost everything is custom made. We make sure to repair and maintain things in the same manner they were first built, with great care and attention. It’s not the kind of job where you can clock off at 5. Some clients prefer we be there later or earlier and we’re always happy to accommodate. If clients are at home when we’re working, we make every effort to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Not all the work I do is maintenance. Bellevarde have spent the last forty years building homes that don’t tend to need much upkeep so I also do the occasional smaller renovation or apartment re-model, kitchen renovation, or new terrace.

I find working with Bellevarde clients to be the most rewarding part of the job. Once you have solved an issue to their satisfaction, a trusting relationship develops. The nature of the job means, many times, clients give me access to their home and leave me to it while they are out or away. I take this trust very seriously. Most of the work I do now has come from clients recommending Bellevarde Maintenance to their friends and family. That’s just one of the many benefits of always doing things the right way, the Bellevarde way.

Bellevarde is the only Australian company I’ve worked for. The culture of the business makes it a pleasure and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.