Referrals are so important in our industry as often we are building the biggest investment people will make in their lives.
Tim Nugteren Managing Director Keystone Construction NZ Limited and member of BNI Alchemists, with commentary from Alison Poulter BNI Director Consultant – Canterbury
My partner Yvette and I formed Keystone Construction NZ in October 2013, so we are into our 4th year now. I joined BNI in September 2013 (BNI Alchemists in Christchurch) before setting up my business. Someone I worked with knew a member in the chapter – so I was invited in as a visitor. As a sole trader then working as Tim Nugteren builders, I was looking for opportunities to assist me make the move from a labour-only contractor to finding my own work. BNI played a significant part in helping me developing the confidence and get the referrals needed to set up that business.
My business
Keystone Construction NZ Limited is a family owned and operated residential building company and we’re based in the Central South Island. I spent several years trading under my own name (I’ve been in the industry for over a dozen years). During this time I was involved with a number of high-end architectural new homes in Queenstown, which has shaped my passion for architectural and bespoke construction. I’m very passionate about the building industry and have built a team to support my vision of constructing and renovating quality homes with a quality service.
How BNI has helped
Being a member of BNI has helped me non-financially in many ways. I’m surrounded with passionate business professionals many of whom I have used the services of in setting up my business. The advice and support I have had has been paramount in this. It also provided a great network to help get my name out there.
BNI has helped showcase our work and my personality. Referrals are so important in our industry because a lot of the time we are building the biggest investment people will make in their lives so they have huge emotional attachment. Having the confidence of a referral where the referee vouches for our work and personal approach has been a huge success for us. We have also had success forming relationships with other people in my industry who are BNI members – including an architect.
BNI also helps us focus on the work we enjoy doing. Part of the way I have built my business in BNI is by offering to do small projects for people, for example small renovations. Once I have established the trust of people I have been able to go on to complete larger projects for members and their associates.
My philosophy has always been that I can do any job for members. Of course, the ideal referral is on a large scale but we can do anything. BNI has been perfect for building up our trust and credibility – I don’t know what we would have done without it!
The numbers
I have received in closed referrals around $1.2m since beginning at BNI. On top of that are the referrals that have come about after carrying out work for a BNI referral. I would say 90% of our business comes either directly or indirectly through BNI. I started at BNI as a one man sole trader, have grown to a limited liability company with 5 staff running multiple projects in a short period.
“Why I selected Tim” by Alison Poulter BNI Director Consultant – CanterburyLast year when we wanted our new home built, we knew we would need someone who we could trust 100% with our unique project that wasn’t a standard build. I wanted to give the business to someone from within the BNI network, but who also needed to be highly capable and had the integrity to do the job right. Right from the start Tim and his team were amazing to deal with. Nothing was too much trouble; the team were polite and friendly and Tim kept in regular contact during the build. They got back to us quickly on things like plans, budgets, pricing and providing a fixed price contract.
View A Time Lapse Video of the construction here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8M9b2XJXN4&feature=youtu.be
Tim and his team were also incredibly skillful. For example, we have an entire external wall that leans out 10 degrees (on purpose!), skillion ceiling (no roof cavity), compact floor plan and his team managed these tricky parts of the construction with thought and creativity. He delivered on budget and met our deadline. During the construction phase, we were impressed both by Tim’s ability to deliver on the job and his passion for bespoke construction. The team Tim has built up around him are also fantastic. They were always very respectful – even taking their shoes off when they moved around the house!
We’ve received so many compliments on our new home, almost daily, as people walk past and say “love your house”, “who is your builder?” and we would happily recommend Keystone Construction to other people (we have referred them already many times).
This is one of the great strengths of BNI; when you do a job for a chapter member (and you deliver) you will be referred for additional work. It’s fantastic to know that Tim has developed such a great business through BNI and for us we have the home that we love. It’s about to be featured in Avenues magazine and Tim is considering putting it in the Registered Master Builders House of the Year.
