About JMI Construction & Renovation

Our story

As the owner of a local, family-owned business, I take great pride in our commitment to quality, which is something I aim to leave as a lasting legacy. My journey began as an apprentice in Wellington, working on hillside renovations of early 1900s villas. It was there that I developed a passion for preserving the craftsmanship and unique details of older homes while giving them a fresh, modern twist.

In 2009, my wife, Sunny, and I made the move to Christchurch and started JMI Construction and Renovation. Our first project was the historic Skellerup residence on Harper Avenue, admired by generations. It was a real gem, and we had the privilege of building a triple garage with a mezzanine room, all crafted with volcanic stone to blend seamlessly with the home’s original character.

Expanding south

With a love for spending many warm summers in Arrowtown with our young family, we launched our southern division in 2015, expanding into Queenstown. Our first project in the region was Matakauri Lodge, a detailed three-story boutique hotel built on steep terrain in Fernhill, offering breath-taking views of Lake Wakatipu.

In addition, we worked closely with the Queenstown Airport Company and the Noise Mitigation Programme to improve living conditions for homes near Queenstown Airport.

In 2018, we completed the renovation of the iconic Cloudy Bay Shed in Tarras, a renowned award-winning New Zealand vineyard.

A trusted partner in Arrowtown

In 2019, we were privileged to be entrusted with the construction of 37 single-storey villas as part of Stage 2 of the Arrowtown Lifestyle Retirement Village. We approached each villa with the same passion and attention to detail as the first, earning the trust of both the community and developers. Over five years, we successfully completed multiple stages of the project, managing subcontractors and navigating challenges such as COVID-19, timber shortages, and supply delays—all while keeping the projects on schedule and ensuring the safety of residents.

In 2023, we successfully delivered the 1500sqm Community Centre Lodge, a central hub for the village. The lodge includes a reception, administration offices, dining room, lounge bar, library, gym, wellness centre, meeting room, cinema, and an indoor pool and spa.

Our values

Every project is approached with integrity, passion, and meticulous attention to detail. We believe in leaving a legacy of quality, ensuring that each project is something we can proudly revisit years later. Clear communication with clients, staff, consultants and subcontractors is essential to every build, and we partner only with those who share these values.

My promise to you…

Deadline

Everyone’s naturally excited for the move-in date to finally arrive, and I completely understand that feeling. That’s exactly why I believe in maintaining constant communication throughout every stage of the process. Keeping you informed and up-to-date is a top priority for me, so you never have to wonder where things stand.

Integrity

I know how important it is to feel confident in your builder, which is why I take personal accountability for every part of the project. From the first step to the final finish.

Honest Communication

I believe in complete transparency in all aspects of communication, from pricing to project updates. You’ll always know where things stand, with clear and honest discussions at every step.

Open Book Pricing

I’m committed to quality and cost-efficiency, ensuring your budget goes further without compromising on the work. By collaborating with architects from the start, we can streamline the process and avoid unnecessary costs, respecting every dollar for your investment.

Superior Craftsmanship

Quality is my promise, and I’ll be here to ensure you’re fully satisfied long after the job is completed.

Trust the process

At the start of your project, things might feel a bit overwhelming, so we’ve created a simple process for you to follow. The project inquiry helps us get to know you, your vision, and what’s important to you, ensuring we’re on the same page from the start. It also ensures the project stays within your budget, with any necessary adjustments along the way. This process keeps you in control, with every step moving forward through collaboration. It also provides accurate costing from the beginning, respecting every dollar of your budget.

01 Project Inquiry

We’ll meet on-site to discuss your project, identify key collaborators, and, if everyone’s on board, kick off the design process.

02 Invite an Architect or Draughtsman

Not every relationship is a match made in heaven, but we’re here to help you find the right design team who vibe with your style and personality!

03 Dreams & Priorities

Time to nail down your must-haves and deal-breakers! Get us involved early, and with the architect’s help, we’ll bring those ideas to life on paper.

04 Concept Design

Here’s your first look at what you’re creating! This is also where the builder and architect work together to make the project more efficient, both in design and budget.

05 Initial Costing

Once we have the architect’s working drawings, our QS will put together a rough estimate for you, so you’ll have an idea before we jump into the council process.

06 Revisit Dreams & Priorities!

This is the easiest time to tweak the plan if something doesn’t quite fit. We can team up, get creative, and make sure you’re getting the most out of every dollar!

07 Finalise Construction Drawings

You’ve made all the decisions—great job! Now it’s time for the architect and engineer to finalize the drawings for consent, getting ready for the council submission.

08 Trade Pricing

We’ll pull the team together and send your plans to trusted subcontractors and suppliers for accurate quotes, making it easier to gain a true cost and avoid budget blowouts or variations during construction.

09 Submit to Council

Congratulations, it’s off for submission!

10 Final Proposal & Contract Acceptance

Once you’re happy with the price and have settled on start dates, we’ll prepare a contract to get things moving.

11 Schedule

We’re proud to stick to our promised dates. Once we have a confirmed start date, we can build a schedule with our subtrades and suppliers, and we’ll provide you with weekly updates on how things are progressing.

12 Construction

The construction stage is one of the most exciting parts, and we love having you involved onsite each week to chat about the project. Just don’t stay too long—you might end up with a hammer in hand!

13 Handover

We do two defect checks—one two weeks before completion and another when it’s finished—where we’ll walk through your project together. Then, it’s time for you to enjoy the beautiful space you’ve created!

14 Follow Up

You won’t get rid of us that quickly! We’ll catch up in 3 months to address any maintenance issues, and we’ll resolve them right away.

“Awesome team. Super accommodating working around kids. Friendly, helpful and did a great job.”