‘WE BUILD HOMES THAT WILL NOT ONLY LOOK GOOD BUT STILL BE STANDING IN 50 YEARS’ A RECENT EXTENSION ON A HOME NESTLED IN A VINEYARD ‘From the initial inquiry, we send out a during her academic studies. ‘I enjoy all of this, questionnaire to potential clients and, if we decide from the sales process to design to handover to to proceed, have an initial meeting with the client. 90 day review processes. One of my strengths is Then we move into the design phase where I liaise in constantly reviewing the way we do things, in with the draughtsmen and prepare a cost analysis. improving efficiency and the client experience.’ After that, I’m involved in the approval process right She and Aaron have a strong attachment to the through to the final price. Aaron takes over when Strathalbyn region. we start construction but I also do client liaison ‘We couldn’t pick a better location and strive throughout that phase.’ to ensure that the homes we build enhance the It’s a role she relishes. beauty of the local landscape and will continue to ‘Compared to working for a large organisation, if do so for many years to come.’ we decide that we want to make a change then we It’s a popular region of South Australia, can just do it,’ she says. ‘I love the fact that we’re in with many commuters to Adelaide, and land complete control of what we do.’ developments opening up. In Strathalbyn, What’s more, she juggles all of this with the especially, land is very affordable, she says. SUSIE’S responsibilities of being a mother of three young ‘This means that people are building on bigger ACCOMPLISHMENTS children. parcels of land. So we can design and orient WERE RECOGNISED ‘It is a challenge,’ she agrees. ‘I have three days houses for maximum energy efficiency.’ WHEN SHE WON a week of official child care, Aaron looks after the As such, sustainability is critical, she says. 2018 HIA AUSTRALIAN children on Tuesday mornings to give me more time ‘We build homes that will not only look good but BUSINESS PARTNER in the office and I work at night. But we have a clear still be standing in 50 years’ time. We limit the number OF THE YEAR idea of where we are headed as a business and a of builds we take on each year so that we can strategy to manage the load.’ personally be involved in every aspect of the process.’ In fact, the development of systems and Their portfolio includes some renovations strategies is one of the skills that Susie developed and extensions, including a recent one-room NOVEMBER 2018 HOUSING 13 PEOPLE • SUSIE MARTIN