From the Ground Up: Real Stories of Quality and Compliance
Raising the bar and taking the high ground is what Austin Contracting is all about, whether it’s a large-scale commercial project or a Mum and Dad residential job. But don’t just take our word for it. Hear what our customers have to say about us.
Inside KiwiRail’s Success: Austin Contracting Drives Big Outcomes
Barry Morris, Project Manager of Engineering and Asset Services for KiwiRail, can’t speak highly enough of Austin Contracting. He says he discovered them about four years ago, and now they’re Barry’s first point of contact when he needs work done. ‘I go straight to Mat, ’ he says, ‘I can’t recommend them enough.’
The Englishman describes Austin Contracting as ‘a cracking team to work with’. Whether it’s Maria in the office or Karl, the Ops Manager, Barry has immense respect for the work they do and the energy and quality they bring to every project.
Over the years, Barry has called on Austin Contracting numerous times, from small repair jobs to a complex container tower. With strict guidelines, the foundations for the tower needed to be exceptional. And they were. ‘They’ve done an amazing job of it’, Barry says.
However, the biggest job the team has completed for Barry also happens to be one of Barry’s largest projects to date. Two 100,000-litre diesel tankers fuel all the South Island trains, and KiwiRail required new access to them. ‘We needed a new road through the compounds’, Barry explains. ‘I was worried if Austin Contracting would have the manpower, but they had the Health and Safety. Austin Contracting stepped up and put the road in for me, and they did an excellent job.’
Water Woes in a Commercial and Residential Multi-Tenanted Body Corporation
When Pip, Chairperson of a commercial and residential multi-tenanted body corporation, approached us to quote on full replacement of the water supply to the complex, she happily admits she was at the end of her tether. The Body Corp had been battling water leaks for five years, their contingency fund literally going down the gurgler as repair costs kept increasing and the water works kept finding another place to burst!
‘The leaks were incredibly frustrating’, Pip says, ‘and we knew we needed a permanent fix, not just band-aid repairs. However, unplanned maintenance is costly, and when you’re spending money on behalf of all the owners, there’s even more pressure to get it right.’
‘When we approached Austin Contracting for a quote, Mat was quick to respond. He was onsite quickly, his comms were open and transparent, and we never felt pressured. Best of all, Austin Contracting came back to us in a really timely manner with a very fair quote. This contrasts with other organisations, who we had to chase for quotes and who were going to charge around $70,000 more for the same scope of work!’
The Black Belt Arborist
Moshe wasn’t laughing when a Christchurch City Council (CCC) tree that was growing in the berm outside his property spread its roots and lifted the pathway leading to his door. However, two years later, he can finally have a chuckle about the tree that he describes as ‘a royal pain!’
The tree in question is part of CCC’s street landscaping, a protected Liquid Amber, but a species with a reputation for surface roots that cause damage. The Liquid Amber outside Moshe’s house had played havoc with his pavers, lifting them in places by up to 200mm.
Enter Austin Contracting. Winning the CCC tender to remediate the asphalt and return the pavers, the job wasn’t as straightforward as just turning up with their diggers and setting things right. CCC compliance needed to be adhered to, including a CCC-approved ‘arborist with a black belt’, as Moshe calls him!
Today, Moshe says, ‘The final job with Austin Contracting was good’, although he remains adamant that the best place for a Liquid Amber is nowhere near him! Adding insult to injury, Moshe can’t even enjoy the tree when it’s at its autumnal best. ‘I’m colour blind, so I enjoy them less than other people, ’ he chuckles ruefully.
Partner with us Today and get your Project Moving
We’re the big little guys. Big enough to get the job done, little enough to know our clients and treat our team like family. We’re the local crew with the big tickers, and we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results with a personal touch.
Redefining earthworks excellence, call us today and let’s get your project underway.