Customers have their say
Mick and Annie
One look at Mick's lawn and you know this man has an eye for finish. So it's not surprising to learn Generation's finish was one of the main features that tipped the scales for Mick and Annie in choosing a Generation home.
Both relatively new to Tauranga, the couple wasn't familiar with Generation's history. But, they were in the market for a house and initially looked at existing homes. Friends had built with Generation and suggested Mick and Annie check us out. And when they stepped inside our Tauranga show home, it was the finish and standard of fittings that stood out.
"When we compared Generation with existing homes we found we were really getting more value for money," says Annie.
The couple headed to Papamoa and liked the look of Addison estate - its setting, high specs and standard of homes. Mick and Annie didn't look much further: Generation gave them the best value, Mick was sold on the finish and Annie liked the guaranteed move in date. Plus, our sales team was great - answering every question fired at them.
The other biggie for Annie was the fixed price. "Once we agreed on variations and signed, there was no extra charge."
Renting in the Mount and both busy working, Mick and Annie were so excited about being involved with the 12-week programme, they couldn't stay away.
"From day one we came out every single night," says Annie.
Several months on - and Mick proud of his lawn, the couple would do it again tomorrow, according to Annie.
"We've had friends who've built and the stress has been horrendous. For us it was just so smooth."
Karen & Bruce McKluskey
Karen & Bruce write about their Generation experience...
"Hi Guys'
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for everything. We love our new home and are very grateful that you've made what is usually deemed a nightmare experience, into a no stress pleasant and exciting experience.
Nothing was too much trouble and we commend you patience for the visits, phone calls and questions. Obviously all my rabbiting on to whoever would listen about how great Generation Developments are has paid off in terms of another keen customer - it'll be great to watch her go through the process too.
You guys do a fabulous job and I have found the various contractors to be extremely hardworking and professional.
I would appreciate you passing on this letter to your Managing Director so that they can be assured they have a fantastic, customer focussed team here in Hamilton.
Warm regards
Karen and Bruce McKluskey"
Heather and Jim Doake
Never underestimate the power of a Sunday afternoon drive. If the mood takes you - you could be like Heather and Jim Doake and end up falling in love with a Generation home and deciding right there and then to buy it.
To be fair, the Doakes already had an inkling of moving. They had wanted to sell the home they were in but could never really find anything else they liked. Until they saw one of Generation's spec homes at Milford.
"We were driving around on a Sunday afternoon - as you do," says Heather, "and we decided to go and have a look at Generation."
It was instant - the home had everything that suited them and what they were looking for.
"We liked the curved walls, the pillars, it had everything we wanted in a house," says Heather. "I liked the kitchen, the bedroom with the ensuite - the storage down the passage."
With other people looking at the home too, the Doakes knew they had to make decisions and move quickly. And while it took longer than hoped to sell their other property, the Doakes have no regrets.
"We love it. It's a nice house - we like the layout and it suits us."
Lisa Applegate
Lisa Applegate has special needs. Life in a wheelchair shouldn't be a handicap - but just try pushing one across the lip of a ranch slider doorway!
Generation rose to the challenge when building a house for this vibrant and fiercely independent 37 year old. It wasn't simply about widening the passages and doorways. It wasn't even about lowering benches and switches, designing a bathroom or making wardrobes to suit. One of the big issues was creating good indoor outdoor flow - access Lisa could handle easily.
We designed a gentle slope from inside to the lip of the ranch slider and a similar lip outside. To meet council guidelines we had to create special drainage, to cater to the higher patio level. We also created gentle driveway and path gradients, which allowed softer inclines where we built ramps.
It's the little things that make life a breeze for bubbly Lisa - something very important - because nothing holds her back. Lisa "left home" back in 1992 - living in Gisborne ‘til 2001 before "getting bored" and coming home. She lived in a small flat in central Tauranga - looking for a suitable home to buy. Nothing suited and eventually parents Ken and Anne found a section. Having built with Generation themselves, they approached us. Together we built a home that Lisa says she'll be in forever - ‘til she passes it on to her much loved niece Caroline (5) and nephew Dylan (3), she reckons.
Their parents, Ken and Kelly, are due for a visit - and if Lisa's lucky, they'll bring Jordan, the black Labrador. At 7, and with arthritis, he'll probably enjoy the gentle ramps too.
Maggie and Ken Hill
Maggie and Ken Hill are counting down until Christmas a little differently this year - knowing they'll be moving in to their new home just days prior.
Move-in date is December 22 - so Christmas will be special - the Hills' first in New Zealand, and a far cry from winter Christmases of the UK.
It was a long road to Tauranga. The Hills were Wellington bound, when they arrived in New Zealand in June, with their young daughters Francesca and Olivia. They stopped in Tauranga en route, carried on to Wellington, but were drawn back to have another look.
"We were driving around and chanced upon Summit and walked into the showhome," recalls Maggie. "It was exactly what we wanted. The design worked for us as a family."
They liked Generation's standard, and fell in love with Summit on the spot. Admitting to being a spontaneous couple, the Hills decided pretty much there and then.
Used to the English weather extremes, they wanted double glazing and mega insulation for the cold as well as heat - new aspects for Generation. But, what customers want, Generation provides - something else the Hills liked.
The Hills are enjoying watching progress - visiting the site every couple of days and amazed by how quickly the house is going up. Everything has been so easy and the Hills love Tauranga - the laid back lifestyle, the people and its closeness to everything.
"We feel at home," says Maggie.
Jim and Christine Neilson
Losing a home in a landslide during Tauranga's 2005 floods, is the most extreme reason yet for finding Generation. Today, however, life at Addison couldn't be grander for Jim and Christine Neilson.
Back then, as Jim handled the insurance, Christine went to the UK. It was then he spotted an ad for Generation's free interior design seminar. An emerging artist, and always fascinated by colour, Jim was hooked - especially when he saw Generation's show homes.
Liking the package, he thought the 12-week building schedule was beyond belief. But as he discovered, we've never failed yet. Christine trusted Jim to select colours colours and he worked closely with sales consultant Kim McColl. It's a fabulous result - the Neilsons wouldn't change a thing.
Jim says building is an exercise in communication and co-operation and Generation excels in both.
" Generation removes the stress and delivers a superior specification at an affordable price.
"We have welcomed over 50 people into our home. They wanted comparisons with an official show home. So far, ALL have been impressed.
"If we had sufficient funds to do it all over again, we would do more than buy another Generation home - we would buy the COMPANY!"
WHAT a compliment!
Marion and Tonette Aballanosa
Marion and Tonette Aballanosa moved into their new home at Riverside at the end of January 2006 with this to say:
"Divine intervention is the cornerstone and basis for our choice in life. This has helped us make [the] decision to build a lot easier. But not to mention how many people around us tried to convince us that building wasn't going to be easy. We still couldn't put into words as to why we were led to initially being curious [about] what this 'best kept secret' was in Rotorua. And, when it's a secret [it] must be precious, important or special...when our curiosity had been satisfied after a barrage of questions, we couldn't let go of Riverside. We kept coming back until we reached the final decision...it was all like a magnet.
To the staff of Generation and everyone who helped build our dream come true...many many thanks! The underlying foundation that Generation has provided was the assurance that they'll help [us] through the process with ease and comfort...and our part was to completely trust them to do their very best. True enough, they have given us the deluxe attention and have delivered our new home as promised...to date.
P.S. Who wants to say "building isn't going to be easy!" This isn't so when you go Generation! This has been such a pleasure for a first time [building process] for us. Thanks Generation once again".
Karen and Barry Smith
When things are meant to be - they tend to fall into place. Karen and Barry Smith believe this - more so now, having come half way around the world to Milford by the Sea at Papamoa. They fell in love with the area, after touring the North Island in 2004 with a view to emigrating. Karen returned soon after, followed by Barry and two of their three daughters, Danielle and Natalie.
Having visited Generation in 2004, Karen and Barry were able to keep up to date via our website and went straight to Generation to plan their new home.
"We had set ideas," says Karen. "We wanted to be close to the beach, I wanted a separate lounge that could be shut off and we wanted a four-bedroom home."
Milford filled every wish and things started to roll once our process began. "We had so much help from Generation and the team."
Even a hiccup in the sale of the Smith's home in the UK didn't upset the apple cart and Karen was thrilled by Generation's ongoing support. "It was an 11th hour sale but everything just fell into place."
The Smiths are enjoying watching the neighbourhood growing around them. Older daughter Joanne is finishing her schooling in the UK but will soon fly out - hopefully with her grandmother. Grandma has her name on a spot in Milford and - if all goes well - the Smith family will soon be complete again.
Dion and Barbara Jenkins
Dion and Barbara Jenkins moved from Auckland to Papamoa recently with their two children, Aiden (2) and Emma (4 months).
Keen to get away from Auckland traffic, house prices and the general 'rat race' that Auckland has become, the Jenkins found their requirements met in the Addison development.
They found the process "stress free - everything was made easy. Quality products throughout" made the experience enjoyable while "pleasant, easy going Generation staff with 'nothing's a problem' attitudes and a dedication to customer satisfaction" made building an easy option.
Since living in their new home, the Jenkins have found a "more relaxed living style. [There is] less maintenance on the house with more time to spend with family. [There are] better areas for the kids to play in..."
The combined kitchen/dining and family rooms are the Jenkins favourite areas in the house. "It's where the whole family comes together to eat and play. Stressful times like dinner time for us are now much easier going".