Primary contact
Robert van Driel
Rob took the time to meet with us on the weekend to discuss progress and give advice on other issues around our old… house.
We will definitely be getting Rob back to do further work for us.
We contacted them on an urgent basis in April 2016 after our builder informed us that the southwest corner of our house had sunk approximately 90mm. This news came to us two weeks into a financed and consented exterior renovation, which included replacing our cladding, doors and windows.
Our builder explained that if we didn't relevel the house before the new cladding (uPVC weather boards) was… installed, the cladding would end up at an odd angle, and, furthermore, we would risk damaging our new windows and doors if the house was releveled after they were installed. In short, we had no option but to precede urgently with releveling.
We sought the advice of two repiling companies. The first company proposed a less comprehensive and less costly solution but wanted to tear out our floors and refused to give a warranty on their work. When I explained that I also wanted to make sure our Council approved their work, I was told, "good luck with that".
A Grade offered us a very different and very comprehensive (wholistic) solution, which included fully repiling our house and underpinning our partial ring foundation to a depth of over 2m.
Robert also explained that the most likely cause of our house continuing to slip (it was repiled in 2012 by a prior owner) was poor drainage and gave us excellent suggestions on what we would need to do to resolve the drainage issues - all of which were later confirmed by our plumber/drain layer.
Robert was always very upfront about the cost. He warrants his work, and doesn't want to redo work he's already done, so he isn't going to offer a cheap solution that he knows won't survive the warranty period. Furthermore, Robert understood that it was important to us to get Council approval and offered to simplify the process by coordinating the architect and engineer. He also responded directly to Council (KCDC) inquiries as necessary, and we ultimately received a Certificate of Acceptance for the work.
In addition to providing quality foundation work, offering quality drainage advice, and helping to obtain Council approval, A Grade also added value (at no additional cost to us) by: protecting my plants by digging them out and moving them away from the work site; patching a water leak from a pipe I had asked our plumber to disconnect, and which I assured A Grade's team had been disconnected, but, in fact, wasn't; adjusting one of our gutters (moved the dropper) to help improve drainage; and building a special shovel over 2m long to hand dig the holes for underpinning around our house when they discovered that the auger was not suitable with our sandy soil.
When it came to work that wasn't the repiling,… it didn't go as smoothly. We received a detailed estimate for repiling but only a verbal estimate for other building work we specifically asked about. Unfortunately, other workers subcontracting to Rob weren't as reliably good - a plumber who charged us $350 for a simple sink mixer, an electrician never showed up, etc. So I recommend A Grade Building & Repiling specifically for repiling and building.
"If I had concerns about anything he was completely approachable, listened well and addressed my comcerns.
I would happly recomend him as a quality builder who, justifiably, takes pride in his work. I would also happly employ him again.
"Pleasing result.
"The inspection was very thorough and Robert was meticulous in all areas, taking the time to explain any issues and their potential impact. The report was… provided the next evening and covered off all the salient points pertaining to the property.
I will keep in touch with Robert for any potential work we are looking to perform in the future.
I have no hesitation in recommending A Grade Building & Repiling to anyone.
Rob replaced a roof and added a set of outside stairs on time, on budget and guaranteed his work for a decade. Not hard to see why hes so busy.
An easy, straight up guy to deal with; no hesitation in giving his honest opinion, even when it means less work for him. Doesnt subcontract out to others - youre talking to the guy getting his hands dirty; no chance of miscommunication or cutting corners.
Rob had the best long term solutions for… problems encountered during the job and still beat the nearest competing quote.
You will struggle to find a better builder. I am using Robs services again for future work.
We were quite demanding and kept on asking for additional work to be completed and this was completed very well and looking forward to the new room once we have finished our bits, at least we now know that the room and house is in better nick than it was before work started, it's also… a lot more level.
"A Grade did an excellent job of our roof and took us up on the roof to inspect it when complete. The final bill was not a cent over the original quote so we go a few extras for… free.
I recommend Robert and A Grade.
Primary contact
Robert van Driel
Phone number
021389290
Phone number (alternative)
021389290
Website
www.bestbuilder.co.nz
Availability
In 1 month
About us
Hello and welcome. My name is Robert van Driel. I am a Licensed Building Practitioner, Member of the Certified Builders Assoc NZ and Roofing Assoc NZ.
What we do
A Grade Building and Repiling are general building specialists {all facets}, re-roofing experts, repiling and relevelling magicians! I, Robert van Driel, Proprieter, Manager and Builder, will do everything in my power to help you and the work that you require to be undertaken, be successfully completed ON TIME, ON BUDGET AND BEYOND COMPARE. I stand beside all my work, and proffer an industry unbeatable CERTIFIED BUILDERS 10/TEN YEAR WORKMANSHIP GUARENTEE ON ALL WORK, NO EXCEPTIONS!! If you would like to peruse my work, I have a show home available at a moments notice.
Categories we service
Piling Services, Foundation / Repiling Contractors
Areas we service
Woburn, Wingate, Wilton, Whitemans Valley, Whitby, Wellington Region, Wellington City, Wellington CBD, Waterloo, Wallaceville, Waiwhetu, Waitangirua, Wainuiomata, Waikanae, Wadestown, Vogeltown, Upper Hutt, Trentham, Totara Park, Titahi Bay, Tirohanga, Thorndon, Te Marua, Tawa, Taita, Strathmore Park, Stokes Valley, Southgate, Silverstream, Seatoun, Roseneath (Wellington), Rongotai, Raumati, Ranui Heights, Pukerua Bay, Porirua East, Porirua Central, Porirua Area, Point Howard, Plimmerton, Pinehaven, Petone, Pauatahanui, Paremata, Paraparaumu, Paparangi, Papakowhai, Paekakariki, Owhiro Bay, Otaki, Otaihanga, Oriental Bay, Onepoto, Ohariu, Normandale, Ngauranga, Ngaio, Newtown, Newlands, Naenae, Mt Victoria, Moera, Miramar, Melrose, Melling, Maymorn, Maungaraki, Manor Park, Mangaroa, Mana, Makara, Lyall Bay, Lowry Bay, Lower Hutt, Linden, Korokoro, Kilbirnie, Khandallah, Kelson, Kelburn, Karori, Karehana Bay, Kapiti Coast Area, Kaiwharawhara, Johnsonville, Island Bay, Hutt Valley Area, Houghton Bay, Heretaunga, Hataitai, Harbour View, Happy Valley, Grenada Village, Gracefield, Fairfield (Wellington), Epuni, Elsdon, Eastbourne, Days Bay, Crofton Downs, Churton Park, Cannons Creek, Camborne, Brown Owl, Broadmeadows, Boulcott, Blue Mountains, Birchville, Berhampore, Belmont (Lower Hutt), Avalon, Ascot Park, Alicetown, Akatarawa
A complete, thorough and quality service. Highly recommended.
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Communication: 100% | Quality: 100% | Reliability: 100% | Value: 90%