"maxim. A principle or rule. A maxim is a wise saying, especially one intended to advise or recommend a course of conduct. In comparison to its approximate synonyms: saying, adage, motto, epigram, proverb, aphorism, the term maxim stresses the succinct formulation of an ultimate truth, a fundamental principle, or a rule of conduct. The word derives from the Latin word maximus, "greatest", via an expression maxima propositio, "greatest premise"

Level 6, BNZ Building, 137 Armagh Street, Christchurch, New Zealand

Mail: P O Box 36 441, Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand

Telephone: +64 3 943 0799
Facsimile: +64 3 943 2272

Email: roy@maximdesign.co.nz

Maxim 1 Limited - Design Build Development & Construction

Building a Reputation

We at Maxim are recognised for our skill and experience across a wide range of development and construction sectors. From inception, the hands-on approach of our founding directors has shaped the culture that has evolved into the multi-faceted business that Maxim is today.

Essentially, we present a simple proposition for a difficult process.

We concentrate our business on development and construction and have earned a reputation as one of the leaders of New Zealand’s new generation of design build construction companies. We pride ourselves on timely completion within a ‘best practice’ working environment.

Maxim takes a proactive role in the management and practical application of environmentally friendly and sustainable work practices, for every project.

Our benchmark for judging success is the high number of building contracts we win tenders for, which includes significant repeat business.

Ensuring Cost Effective Outcomes

Our goal at Maxim is to deliver an outcome that exceeds our clients’ expectations.

We do this by providing valuable input during the acquisition, concept and design phases of a project, resulting in a combination of design, development and construction efficiencies.

As well as an overview of a project’s viability, we review the suitability of proposed infrastructure solutions, ownership and management structures, building systems, materials, equipment, and fixtures and fittings 0chosen for a development.

Lastly, our own construction team provides an assessment of costs and a specific design review to ensure cost effective designs and the accuracy of our estimates.

This process, combined with over 25 years of hands-on experience, enables us to refine innovative business and technical solutions to ensure they make money for our clients, and give them confidence and peace of mind.

Value Management

We embrace the principles of value management. This is a problem-solving evaluation technique that compares costs to benefits to ensure the most cost effective outcome. We evaluate before the estimating process so we can influence the planning and conceptual stage of design where most cost savings can be made.

Total Client Support

We assist with managing developments, right from feasibility studies, site acquisition, finance, resolving planning issues, design and construction phases, through to marketing, sales, client liaison and titling of the completed project

We tailor our level of involvement to a client’s needs. This may range from some technical assistance with design, a role as the development manager or an all encompassing “turnkey” design and construction solution. The experienced team has a diverse and multi-skilled background, and capabilities which add financial value and other benefits to any project.

Maxim is an active member of several private enterprise, international and government development syndicates, and joint ventures.

The Maxim 1 Process

Maxim 1 is geared to be flexible in its approach to projects. Each is unique and requires a different team structure and focus to ensure that the best result is achieved.

Maxim’s strengths in this area lie in a professional approach, superior experience and knowledge, an in-house design service and a network of the highest quality subcontractors, as well as excellent liaison and negotiation skills to ensure a client’s unique needs are met.

The Maxim team has successfully completed projects which include house and land developments, residential care complexes, laboratories, office and retail centres, cool stores, warehouses, hotels, recreational facilities, and swimming pools.

We always strive to obtain the best outcome overall, for the individual client and the development as a whole, while also prioritising environmental, social and economic sustainability. Our multi-skilled team gives you a sense of confidence, whatever your project – house and land package or apartment; aged care complex; tourism or other commercial venture – as it moves from acquisition to concept to completion.

Design and Construction

Maxim’s full design and construction service combines its in-house design resources with construction advice from real builders to ensure an efficient and economical design. The benefit of this integration is reason alone to prefer Maxim as your project partner.

An integrated system allows Maxim to plan designs, gain approvals and work on construction simultaneously, all the while examining alternatives, keeping designs practical, and remaining flexible – with the aim of avoiding extensive revisions.

The design and construction process can be broken down into five stages:

  1. Initial Consultation: determine client’s needs; create design brief; set preliminary target budget and plan a project time frame.
  2. Design Concepts: define a project scope; create design sketches; estimate costs.
  3. Design Development: develop preliminary architectural plans and elevations; specify finishes and fixtures; confirm project costs.
  4. Design Approval: finalise design drawings; present specifications and schedules to client for final approval; issue approved designs to council for building and resource consents.
  5. Construction: ensure all statutory requirements are met and appropriate consents received; agree final contract price and begin construction.

Maxim is focused on delivering the project on time, within budget and to the agreed quality standard.

Resources

Maxim’s full design and construction service combines its in-house design resources with a wide range of project partners. We currently have 3 senior level management staff with support from 3 additional construction managers. These staff form teams to direct the inputs from a wide range of subcontractors and consultants who together can deliver projects.

  1. We operate a project management platform called “Workbench” which provides detailed management and reporting of contract budgets, claims, contracts and subcontracts.
  2. Project Programming is completed using Microsoft Project
  3. Our general support software is the Microsoft office suite of applications.
  4. Our document management is fully electronic using the DocsBox system that ensures access to all files and information by all staff from any location. Tenders are managed using password access to electronic documentation.
  5. We operate from a fully serviced office in Armagh Street in Christchurch, where we have administration, technical support and management personnel. We have meeting rooms with presentation equipment along with copying and scanning facilities.
  6. Our equipment yard is in Darfield where we store all construction related equipment, tools, machinery, sheds etc while not in use.

Current Focus

As the development market changes Maxim 1 changes too, we are currently focusing on opportunities to develop projects for our clients in the following areas:

Grouped Dwellings

New Zealand is experiencing rapid growth in demand for small, high-quality housing. Emphasis is shifting to the creation of better living environments, while pressure is on to improve affordability and increase scale. Maxim is responding and meeting needs by adding capabilities that help our clients build what people really want.

Grouped housing allows more affordable dwellings to be built – at the risk of compromising the occupants’ lifestyle. It is important to create living spaces that not only provide a comfortable and safe internal living environment, but also link strongly to the immediate surrounds, and the community, to ensure that wider social connectivity is promoted and enhanced.

Good design is crucial: architecture and landscape must work together to assist and enhance human response to the living environment. We incorporate principles of responsible development and construction such as environmentally sensitive designs and specifications, a focus on healthy living environments, energy-efficient systems and products, ethical practices, and flexible, responsive building techniques to ensure that the needs of different users are catered for over the lifetime of the dwelling.

LifemarkWe wholeheartedly support the aims of the “Lifemark” brand to promote buildings that work for our changing population across all stages of life and are designed to be useable, accessible, adaptive and inclusive.

We want all our grouped dwelling building projects to achieve Lifemark certification, so that developers and occupants can trust they are fit for purpose and the best available.

Maxim has become the builder of choice for many developers of house-and-land estates and medium-density infill developments throughout New Zealand. It has also proven more than capable of undertaking construction that meets the particular needs of the Aged Care, Disabled Care and Retirement Village industry.

With a keen quoting regime, an in-house design service, a specialist client-liaison team and a dedicated arsenal of subcontractors, Maxim is rapidly growing its reputation for competently completed, high-quality projects.

Property Development

Maxim has an in-depth knowledge of all facets of property development through its years of practical experience with a huge range of land and building development projects and can provide specialist development management expertise to clients.

We have specific expertise with medium to large green fields projects (up to 1,000 lots), and specialised development types such as aged care and tourism.

We can clearly identify the myriad of complex interrelated issues that need to be addressed to guarantee the desired outcomes and manage all significant risks. Since 2008, it has been increasingly difficult to complete land-only developments. Most funding organisations see significant risk in land development and the subsequent separate dwelling construction processes.

Maxim’s unique design-build team can provide specialist land and building solutions to provide a “turnkey” package to complete all of the activities required – as well as dealing directly with the funding organisations to manage approvals and cash flow draw downs.

Current Projects

We are currently concentrating on the acquisition, development, management and construction of high-to-medium density housing and community facilities, and the integration with structures for the operation and management of care and support services for residents in our developments (via our ownership, management and support company Maxim 2 Limited)

At present, we are managing projects worth about $30 million dollars, in planning or under construction.
The following selection of projects demonstrates our ability to tackle a range of requirements and deliver successfully:

  • 56 Avonside Drive – 8 Disabled Persons Units ($2.0M)
  • Stanmore Road – Lounge Refurbishment ($50k)
  • Integrated Medical Facility Development ($5.0M)
  • Medical Centre Development ($2.0M)

    Residential Housing projects ($12.5M)

  • Havelock (3 Homes)
  • Blenheim (Vineyard Accommodation)
  • Christchurch - St Albans (Garage / Workshop)
  • Christchurch - Queenspark
  • Southbridge
  • Castle Hill
  • Christchurch - Dyers Pass
  • Darfield
  • Kaiapoi
  • Dunedin

    Multi unit residential projects ($6.0M)

  • Darfield
  • Kaiapoi
  • Christchurch – Linwood (2)
  • Christchurch - Sydenham