When Trina Affleck made the move from Central Otago to Christchurch, she knew she wanted to stay in the building industry. The right opportunity came along at the right time, bringing her to Design Builders Canterbury as Operations Coordinator.
Trina brings a broad mix of experience to her new role, with a background spanning administration, the New Zealand Police, sales and the building industry, along with a passion for interior design.
“I ended up taking voluntary redundancy from the Police (non-sworn) after almost 17 years and decided I wanted to try something completely different.”
That change led Trina into the building industry, where she quickly discovered how rewarding it is to be involved in bringing a home to life.
“I just love new house builds, whether it’s my own home, a holiday house or a million-dollar home for clients. Seeing the finished result after being involved from day one is extremely rewarding.”
Building experience with a focus on people
Having worked for over 10 years in the industry, Trina has seen first-hand what helps a building project run smoothly. For her, two things stand out: good systems and clear communication.
It is also something she believes clients value throughout the building process. Regular communication about progress, as well as any issues or delays, helps clients feel confident that their build is in good hands. Similarly, keeping the project running on time and on budget, using good quality, reliable suppliers and tradespeople is key.
The building industry itself has changed significantly over the years, with Trina pointing to rising costs and increasingly stringent Building Code requirements as some of the most obvious changes.
For clients, however, the fundamentals remain the same: clear communication, reliable people and a well-managed process.
Looking at a home from the inside out
Trina also brings an interior design background to her role, giving her another perspective on how a home can work for the people who live in it.
“I love seeing clients embrace new ideas, colours and materials and being really pleased with the end result.”
In her view, good design starts with flow and functionality. Rather than simply focusing on how a home looks, she believes the spaces should be designed around the way each client actually lives.
It is often the practical decisions that make the biggest difference, too. Trina says clients never regret giving themselves a little more space where it counts, such as adding an extra metre to the garage or making sure the ensuite is a comfortable space for two adults.
And when it comes to the build itself, she has a simple analogy for keeping things in perspective.
“Building a house is like a 5000-piece jigsaw puzzle, there will be a missing piece or a piece that doesn’t quite fit occasionally, so try and stay relaxed and let us deal with it.”
A different approach to building
One of the things that attracted Trina to Design Builders Canterbury was the family-oriented nature of the business, something she had previously enjoyed.
She also sees a strong connection between the Design Builders approach and what clients are looking for when creating a new home.
One of the biggest differences, she says, is the freedom that comes with a bespoke design.
“Not working from a specific set of plans and spending an exorbitant amount of time trying to modify one to suit. Often, it’s easier and more cost-effective to start from scratch.”
That approach means the design can respond to the site, the budget and, most importantly, the people who will live there.
To Trina, “a home built around you” means exactly that: a home that meets a client’s specific requirements and incorporates as many of their wish-list items as possible.
It is also what excites her about being part of a team creating one-off homes.
“Clients knowing their house is unique and there won’t be five others like it on the same street.”
For Trina, the value of a bespoke home also comes down to looking beyond the square metre rate and comparing what you are actually getting.
“Many people get hooked up on what the square metre rate should be for a house instead of comparing apples with apples. I think with a bespoke design, people are more accepting of the costs involved to achieve their dream.”
With her experience across the industry, Trina can also help clients identify where they can make savings without compromising too much on the things that matter to them.
From concept plan to move-in day
In her new role as Operations Coordinator, Trina will be working across administration and operations, whilst also supporting Alex with sales and client relationships, as well as providing interior design support when needed.
One of her favourite parts of the process is right at the beginning.
“Presenting a client with their first concept plan can be an exciting time, especially when they love it and only make a few minor alterations”.
But the relationship doesn’t end when the build does. Trina also enjoys talking to clients once they have settled into their new home and hearing how much they love it.
That combination of practical experience, design knowledge and client support is something she is looking forward to bringing to the Design Builders Canterbury team.
“I’m excited to bring personal house building experience, interior design skills, a strong admin background and hopefully a few laughs along the way!”
Trina’s take on a great home
If Trina were designing her next home, she knows exactly what she would include – a separate media room or snug, keeping the main kitchen/dining/living area TV-free, while a separate guest or secondary living unit would provide flexibility for visiting friends and family, or even additional short-term guest accommodation.
Her own style leans towards minimal and Scandinavian, balanced with colour through furniture and furnishings.
And when asked what every good home should have, she has quite the list: plenty of natural light, good storage, a good heating system, under-tile heating, an insulated garage, an induction cooktop, increased stud height where possible and, importantly, “colours other than white on white!”
Ultimately, good design comes back to creating a home that works for the people living in it.
With her combination of industry experience, interior design knowledge and a genuine love of seeing a project come together from the first concept through to completion, she is looking forward to helping Canterbury clients create homes that are uniquely their own.
Ready to Start Your Design & Build Journey?
We specialise in creating unique architectural homes that reflect your individuality and lifestyle. With our in-house design team, we offer a seamless design and build experience, guiding you through every step to bring your vision to life.
We also have a dedicated land procurement team member. If you’re looking for land or don’t know where to start, please reach out to our team.
Planning your own build or looking for land? Our Canterbury team would love to hear from you.
Alex Caddick
027 622 0022 | alex.caddick@designbuilders.co.nz
