The Building Blocks of Success
As often is the case, Stu Bell Construction started with one man and his dream. After becoming a qualified builder in 2010 and building his first house in 2011, Stu Bell started his own company in 2012.
Stu Bell Construction create high-end residential houses and help Ashburton locals renovate their current homes. Stu and his team enjoyed their best financial year in 2023. They’ve experienced steady growth as their reputation for quality and reliable service spreads in Ashburton. Two of their houses are entered in the Master Builders House of the Year competition.
So, how did they realise such success? According to Stu, it’s the people and the quality service they offer that sets this business apart. His team work well together, using their complimentary skill sets to cater to anything their clients might want. “I love achieving something as a team, sharing success with the team,” Stu explained.
Stu learnt the importance of strong work ethics working on his family farm in Ruapuna, always happy to cart hay bales or do whatever was needed to keep the farm running smoothly. He installed this importance in his company from the start, and his team are known for what they call ‘good old-fashioned values’: being reliable, taking pride in excellence, and quality workmanship. They also emphasise open communication, ensuring their clients are informed and part of the process.
This extends to working with suppliers and subcontractors too. “We get to work with a lot of local Ashburton businesses, which I really enjoy,” Stu said. “They are easy to work with and understand our business and the level of service we need to provide and, therefore, that they must provide too.”
Last but definitely not least are the business partnerships that enable such a company to thrive. “It’s been a massive help to have someone who specialises in building and construction accounting,” Stu said of working with Leech & Partners. He has been working with Chris Smith and Ben Davidson for the last three years. “They do our GST, annual accounts and our Work-In-Progress sheet, which is essential for our business because the way our contracts are structured, we have cash in advance and then need to ensure we have the funds for everything along the way. So, the Work-In-Progress sheet allows us to keep that all straight. And we can always get hold of Ben or Chris whenever we need them.”
While finding commercial success has been a great win for Stu, he strives for a good work-life balance. He loves jet boating, hunting and spending time with his family.
