To create a luxury cabin and retreat for the grandmother to live in, we first demolished the existing garage and rebuilt within its footprint. Throughout the process, we took great care to avoid damaging any trees or roots—both out of respect for her passion for nature and to preserve the feeling that the cabin had always belonged there.
They wanted the build to embody the classic Queenstown look, using cedar cladding and tray roofing. To begin, we removed the existing garage, which sat right on the neighbour’s boundary. This left us with a very tight workspace and the added responsibility of protecting the neighbouring home—something we achieved without a single scratch.
The architect envisioned a cabin that appeared to float over the small garden pond, so we constructed it on piles and cantilevered the bedroom and the window hovered above the water. We also built a beautifully detailed schist wall at the end of the deck to ensure privacy, allowing the owners to enjoy the outdoor space in complete peace from the outside wall.
The final result is a calming and luxurious retreat—an ideal escape from their busy lives, travelling around the world and their overseas home — and the outcome truly feels magical.
“We are very pleased to provide this reference for JMI Construction & Renovation following the completion of our guest house in Queenstown, New Zealand.
From the outset, Johnno provided a detailed and transparent quote, which we carefully worked through together. This early clarity meant there were few unexpected surprises during the build. Importantly, Johnno was always acutely aware of our budget and ensured the project stayed aligned with it throughout — there were no “Grand Designs” moments, just calm, considered decision-making.
When challenges inevitably arose, Johnno was highly solution-oriented, proposing practical options that balanced quality, design intent, and cost. He managed discussions with the architect and trades seamlessly, resolving issues efficiently and without stress for us as clients.
The quality of workmanship is outstanding. The finished guest house not only meets the brief but exceeds our expectations in terms of build quality, detailing, and overall finish.
We were also very impressed with the foreman and on-site crew, who were professional, approachable, and accommodating at all times. Any questions we had were welcomed and addressed thoughtfully, reflecting a strong team culture and excellent site leadership.
Communication throughout the build was seamless. We received regular progress updates, including photos of work completed, and Johnno was consistently responsive — whether by phone, WhatsApp, email, or Zoom — always making himself available and ensuring we felt informed and supported at every stage.
In summary, JMI Construction combines meticulous planning, transparent communication, solution-focused leadership, and high-quality craftsmanship. We would recommend Johnno and his team without hesitation to anyone building in Queenstown and would gladly work with them again.”
