Building dreams
WORDS Liam Stretch
Both Aaron Hooper and Carl Fordyce began their careers as carpentry apprentices. From this solid foundation, they built their respective careers in the construction industry and, over the past 30 years, have accumulated a wealth of knowledge. When the opportunity arose to team up as the owner-operators of David Reid Homes Canterbury, they knew it was the right fit for them.
Now, three years later, Aaron manages processes and contracts, ensuring seamless operations, while Carl, armed with wisdom and insight, manages construction. They also have a dedicated team working in their office and on-site.
The pair continues a significant and longstanding history in the Canterbury region where David Reid Homes began 30 years ago.
Sales manager Diana Creighton says, “We love it when clients can pinpoint one of our builds from a decade or two ago that they still admire when they drive past today – it is an acknowledgement of timeless quality and design that we aspire to.”
“We are very lucky in our region that we have opportunities to build in all types of locations, whether being close to the ocean, on the Port Hills, next to a meandering Canterbury stream, on the flat, or in the High-Country area of the Southern Alps.”
Diana says what sets them apart is how their team collaborates with their clients to customise their plans and specifications to their individual needs.
Understanding clients’ personalities is crucial. The team actively listens to their vision, preferences, and inspirations. “The most important consideration is to listen well right from the get-go.”
“We use a few trusted architects, so it is a case of aligning the client with the right one. We ask for plenty of information very early in the process, such as magazine articles, images, mood boards, or any houses they love the look of to help us determine the right design. We can guide our customers as far as costs and clever use of space, but at the end of the day, it is their home, so we really need to understand who they are.”
Notable projects include building high on the Port Hills, a home tailored to the client’s interior design choices, and a homestead at MacDonald Downs Station, completed for a special family wedding.
“We had an exciting build on Major Hornbrook Road at the top of the Port Hills. The clients had a clear vision and wanted to showcase the spectacular view. It was great working with homeowners that aren’t afraid to put their own stamp on their home, particularly the interior of the house, which they are now very proud to call home.”
Their commitment to excellence and a human approach to building has earned them recognition within the industry, and they are entered in the 2023 Registered Master Builder House of the Year Awards in the Altus Window Systems New Home $750,000 – $1 million category.
Aaron and Carl are committed to building bespoke architectural homes that stand the test of time, which people are sure to point out in years to come.