Mangawhai home features in national award

When thinking of the building trade we are well aware of the annual building, architecture and Home Of The Year awards but are somehow unaware that the icing on the cake can often come from the interior and exterior efforts by the painters.

The Master Painters group this year celebrated its 100th year in existence and has over 600 members countrywide.

Clint Wheeler of Bream Bay Painters won a national award in 2013 but this year far exceeded that by winning three trophies.

Heading off nationwide competition, Bream Bay Painters won prizes for the Rework Exterior Contemporary category, a gold award in the same class for a Robert St, Mangawhai, home, and gold in the Restoration Exterior Contemporary-Character category for finishing work on a refurbished villa at Langs Beach.

Clint is ably assisted by Kevin Slatter and apprentice Kaynan Carter.

“You don’t need a big team but you need to pay attention to detail,” says Clint, who moved to Bream Bay from Auckland 12 years ago and has himself been through the apprenticeship scheme.

Clint takes pride in his work and his product knowledge and says the quality of the finished job is the important factor regardless of the property.

“Simply to do a ‘good’ job is just not good enough when people are investing heavily in their properties,” says Clint. “You have to keep up with changes in both painting and sealing products and also interior and exterior claddings which have changed markedly over the years.”

Competition contestants had to undergo stringent tests and inspections from judges with a long check list and even mirrors to ensure that all nooks and crannies have been suitably covered and protected.

Judge Brian Miller was high in his praise of the winning Bream Bay Painting team.

“New Zealand is a challenging environment,” he said. “Clint sets a very high standard and lives by that edict. His customers have high expectations and both clients in this instance were very pleased with the outcome.”

GOT IT COVERED: The award winning Bream Bay Painting team from left, Clint, Kaynan, and Kevin. [PHOTO/Julie Paton]