"They have a great ability to communicate so we felt quite in tune with everything that was going on". New home construction can be a trying time for anybody and Jon and Sue Newson were well aware of this before they begin construction on their Wakatipu home. Having looked around the building sector in the region they decided to base their choice on the words of a trusted friend. "We were referred to Rilean and I have to say that over the year we worked together they exceeded our expectations", says Jon. As well as the obvious professionalism of the workforce and the measured approach to every aspect of the project, Jon was equally impressed by the attitude of the people behind the company. "It was all down to personality. You felt they were honest, and they were!" he adds. Sometimes the world of building, its innovations and the dovetailing of tasks to make a project run smoothly can look complex even to the experienced eye, but for Jon and Sue, the whole thing was made easy to follow."

""We never had any problems.” With a long career in civil projects Jim Fulton’s a man who knows his way around construction and contracting. His most recent involvement with Rilean comes through his position at the head of a trust board charged with managing sensitive redevelopment of some of Queenstown’s principle building heritage. “Because we’re a charitable trust we had to put the work out to tender and Rilean submitted a bid along with other interested parties. “They won because of the detail of their presentation, and this was carried through as the project moved forward,” he explains. “We had regular meetings and they had a good handle on detail in terms of where they were on the job. Their reporting was impressive and they had good resources for the kind of work they were carrying out,” adds Jim. “It was an inclusive way of working with good cooperation and cost reduction strategies, and the foremen and project managers seemed to be the right people on the job too."

"Rilean were recommended to us by a project manager but they won the contract on competitive quoting. McCoy and Wixon’s architectural reputation means their work takes them a long way from their Dunedin base, so they know from long experience how crucial it is to have exactly the right construction company on site. Their large projects in the Wakatipu Basin include the flagship Arrowtown School, and ongoing developments on the campus. “We had a very good relationship and found Rilean very professional in their approach. “Also, they were very easy to deal with and took a pro-active approach to working as part of a team through fortnightly meetings on site,” he adds. With a three-hour road journey between Dunedin and Arrowtown it was imperative the two companies were able to exchange news and developments across the South Island. “It was no problem as Rilean are up with all the latest communication technology which is very important. And because we’ve remained on very good terms throughout our relationships, it’s been easy for both parties to share information and understand exactly what’s required at all times.”"

""The relationship was based on trust, communication and professionalism and Rilean’s would be the first door I’d knock on.” Choosing a builder for their new home in one of Queenstown’s most desirable locations was something that came easily for Russ and June McLean. “We had a number of friends who had used Rilean and had spoken very highly of them. Reputation and a proven track record was a major factor in making our decision,” says Russ. “There was a personal relationship as well. We had been introduced to Stephen and Gary by a previous client and had outlined our plans and preferred timelines to them. “Stephen took that info on board & kept a slot for us in their busy schedule at a time when there was high demand for builders’ services. We really appreciated that as it gave us both certainty and peace of mind." The McLeans soon learned they’d made the right choice when Rilean began the construction process. “It was a fixed-price contract so there were no nasty surprises, but it was inclusive too. While Rilean managed the contract process we still got to have input in the selection of sub-contractors. The result was that we ended up with the best performing subbies at the best price, and we were kept appraised every step of the way. They did what they’d said they’d do!” he adds. Russ and June are more than delighted with the finished result and have no plans to move just now, but if the time comes to build again they know exactly who’ll be handling that project too."