Build It Tasmania

From The Ground Up

Constructing the leading edge in a dynamic construction sector

Build It Tasmania, a dynamic force in Hobart’s construction industry has earned a stellar reputation for its residential and commercial projects. Wayne Bromfield, the company’s Director, whose extensive experience and dedication to quality ensure that every project meets and exceeds client expectations. Bromfield’s visionary approach and commitment to using the latest building techniques have made Build It Tasmania a trusted and sought-after name in the industry.

Humble beginnings

Build It Tasmania started as a small enterprise over a decade ago. “We did a large development probably 12 years ago when the company was employing about five or six people,” Bromfield recalls. “We needed tradesmen and found it problematic to draw them in, so we started training our apprentices. At different stages, we had 40 guys on the books and all on wages, with about 16 apprentices.”

Build It Tasmania’s unique strategy of nurturing in-house talent met their immediate staffing needs and laid the groundwork for sustainable expansion. “These days, we have a team of about 25 skilled professionals. Despite the post-COVID downturn, we are actively involved in commercial and residential projects and making our mark in the commercial market on a smaller scale.”

Growth and adaptation

Bromfield fondly recalls the company’s growth spurt. “Our most significant expansion was around 2016-2017. We undertook a 50-lot subdivision, managing the concreting, excavating, and constructing units for a housing commission development.” This project was a turning point for Build It Tasmania, reshaping its model and stabilizing its approximately 30 employees.

The ability to adapt and respond to market demands is a testament to Bromfield’s leadership. Even during downturns, the company maintained a robust workforce and diversified its portfolio to include problematic jobs that other builders often avoid. Bromfield’s strategic approach ensures that Build It Tasmania remains resilient, navigating the ups and downs of the construction industry with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Empowering the workforce

One of the most remarkable aspects of Build It Tasmania’s operations is its apprenticeship program. Bromfield’s pride is palpable as he discusses the success of this initiative. “We’ve produced some really good young guys. For instance, Jacob, an apprentice, took on a project to build an $800,000 house. He managed the project exceptionally well and is now training apprentices himself.”

The company’s commitment to nurturing young talent goes beyond training. Apprentices are given significant responsibilities early on, accelerating their learning curve and building confidence. “We encourage them to take the reins somewhat if they’ve got the ability. They deal with architects, clients, subcontractors, and scheduling, preparing them comprehensively for future roles.”

Bromfield emphasizes the importance of this hands-on experience: “Essentially, you’ve got an apprentice carpenter who becomes the builder at the end of his apprenticeship. That’s a big thing in our industry. It’s not just about carpentry; it’s about understanding the whole building process, from excavation to final touches, and managing various trades effectively.”

The approach has yielded impressive results. “We’ve had a couple of apprentices take on large projects towards the end of their third year. One of them, Blake, is in the middle of his fourth year and is building an ancillary dwelling then to build a million-dollar house in front of that. The time we’ve put into these young guys has been returning towards us tenfold.”

Strength in partnerships

Build It Tasmania’s success is also attributed to its strong partnerships. Bromfield highlights its collaboration with Sender Care Evolve, a non-profit housing entity. “We’ve developed strong relationships within this group, helping them with subdivisions and other projects. With tight deadlines, we bring our expertise to get them across the line.”

The company also prides itself on being a reliable partner in emergencies. “For instance, a development at Campbelltown needed 2,800 square meters of concrete laid quickly. We mobilized six carpenters and a concreting crew, completing it in two weeks.”

These partnerships extend beyond business relationships; they are about building communities and supporting various social causes. Bromfield mentions, “We work in and around insurance companies with problematic jobs. We’re interested in taking on much work that many other people aren’t interested in.”

The ethos of community support and willingness to tackle challenging projects has earned Build It Tasmania a reputation for reliability. Its involvement in various community projects, including non-profit housing and emergency repairs, underscores its commitment to positively impacting communities.

Awards and recognition

While awards and recognition are not Bromfield’s primary focus, Build It Tasmania has had its share of accolades. “We received an energy efficiency award for a house that almost reached a nine-and-a-half-star rating. This was a significant achievement, considering we typically build to about six-star energy efficiency here.”

However, Bromfield notes that the political nature of awards in a small community has made him more focused on internal development rather than external accolades. “We’re more focused on developing our apprentices and staying updated with the latest building codes and standards.”

Bromfield’s pragmatic approach to recognition is evident. “We haven’t got into the awards for a fair while because it’s a little bit political, especially in a small country town. But we have been involved in projects that have received awards, like a big house at Talmans Hill, which won an Australian house of the year about 15 years ago.”

Embracing technology

Technology is critical in Build It Tasmania’s operations. “We have a OneDrive system for supervisors to access job documents and photos. We’re also contemplating a GPS tracking system to accurately set out specific points for a house.”

“A GPS tracking system would cost around $120,000, but it would be highly beneficial for our operations,” Bromfield explains.

Bromfield acknowledges the importance of staying current with technological advancements. “We hire in GPS tracking systems occasionally, but having our own would streamline many processes. It’s an investment that would pay off in terms of efficiency and accuracy.”

Future projects

The future of Build It Tasmania looks promising, with several exciting projects on the horizon. “We have two businesses, Build It Tasmania and Southern Excavation, and we’re about to separate them to develop each in a different pathway. We also have projects like a golf range near the airport, including a conference center and mini golf.”

Bromfield is optimistic about the future workload. “Towards the back end of this year, we’re expecting a massive influx of work. Balancing staffing levels is challenging, but we’re preparing for it.”

Complex logistics

One of the unique challenges Build It Tasmania faces is the geographic isolation of some projects. “We’ve been dragged to places like King Island and Flinders Island, which involves complex logistics. Getting tools and tradesmen to these sites is interesting due to the reliance on shipping.”

Despite these challenges, Bromfield’s philosophy remains clear. “Everyone should be entitled to having their building finished, whether someone goes broke or hasn’t done the right thing. We will look at jobs others won’t, as long as there’s the money to pay us.”

Bromfield’s dedication to addressing challenging projects is evident. “We’ve had instances where we’ve been called in to fix projects that others have abandoned. For example, we’re currently helping rectify a defective slab for a new warehouse. Pulling the slab out and leaving the shed standing will be hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we’re committed to seeing it through.”

Commitment to quality

A core value at Build It Tasmania is their commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Bromfield emphasizes the importance of staying current with building codes and standards. “We had some training with Optimus in our office a few months ago. We brought all the tradesmen in for a three-hour session to refresh on the rule changes.”

The commitment extends to supporting its apprentices and tradesmen. “We sponsor them and help them through a pretty expensive exercise. Most of the guys run their tool trailers and could spend around $20,000. We have a good relationship with Total Tools, and they bring out the latest tools for the boys to get a look at.”

Bromfield’s approach ensures the workforce is well-equipped and current with industry standards. This enhances the quality of their work and fosters a culture of learning and development within the company.

Community impact

The company’s impact extends beyond construction. Their involvement in community projects and non-profit housing initiatives reflects their commitment to social responsibility. “We’re working on a few government tenders at the moment, including police houses, which involve a lot of paperwork and red tape, but it’s rewarding to contribute to these projects.”

Bromfield’s vision for Build It Tasmania is clear. “We aim to develop Build It Tas and Southern Excavation along different pathways. We’ll continue to embrace new opportunities, invest in our workforce, and contribute to the community.”

He aptly summarizes, “We will entertain looking at a lot of things a lot of people won’t look at. Our attitude is that everybody should be helped.”

AT A GLANCE

Build It Tasmania

What: A leading construction company specializing in residential and commercial projects.

Where: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Website: https://buildittasmania.com.au/

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