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2008
I completed Trade school in 2008 where I developed a passion for building, through a work experience program I secured an apprenticeship with a local builder staying with him for 2 years until he decided to retire. I was at a crossroad in my early 20s, so I packed a bag and boarded a plane. I spent time exploring Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and South America. I then lived in and travelled Australia where I picked up where I had left off with my apprenticeship and had some incredible experiences learning the building trade.
2012
I lived in Alice Springs and worked in remote aboriginal villages such as Balgo Hills, 800km from the main road, 400km of which were outback gravel roads. We did a 3-week swings where we renovated run down Aboriginal communities and built a trade training center for the local town in sweltering heat and harsh conditions. This experience was a massive eye opener into how different communities operate and the remoteness taught me the importance of integrity how to correctly plan and how to utilise a budget to specifically meet different client’s needs.
2015
After spending time in the Northern Territory, I then moved to Melbourne where the building trade was completely different. I was now working on high end new Builds and complex alterations to existing buildings where we also worked on restoring historic buildings from the 1900s.
We once cut a large villa into 4 parts, ground to roof to separate with firewalls then converted it into separate living blocks. I ended up working for a tight knit Croatian family who were successful in the building/development business. They took me under their wing supplying me with accommodation, a vehicle and treated me as one of their own. It was here I saw the ins and outs of running a business and the importance of a strong team culture, I knew that was how I wanted to work.
2018
After 10 years abroad I decided it was time to return home to start the next chapter of my life. Although my wife and I had met in Melbourne we were lucky enough to both be kiwis and the wholesome New Zealand lifestyle was something we both agreed we wanted our kids to experience, so we settled back in Whakatane and haven’t looked back. We got the wheels in motion to make ProBuild become a reality, I had worked hard to get to this point and was finally able to start delivering quality building services to the Eastern Bay of plenty and bring what I had learnt back to my hometown.
2022
4 years later ProBuild Homes provides high quality building services to meet our client’s needs. To do this I believe that relationships and communication are key. We have developed a trusted network with local plumbers, electricians and other subcontractors and over the years I have nurtured a collaborative team culture. We hold the skills to provide an efficient and effective build process and job well done every time.
2024
ProBuild homes is now excited to announce that we have relocated to Taupo, New Zealand. We have always loved Taupo and it has continually pulled us back for annual holidays and trips- so after 6 successful years in Whakatane we have decided to move on to the next adventure. ProBuild Homes looks forward to bringing the same quality building services to the Waikato. We are excited to be here and look forward to building more and more connections within the local community.
About
Hi, I’m Phil Smith. I grew up in Whakatane, a sunny, coastal town in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. We were always ‘out there doing it’ on and around the water and busy in the outdoors. Surfcasting, boating, swimming and hunting, were favourite past times then and still are now.
