Special Publications: June 30, 2022

home & leisure | ?? home & leisure | 21
When Scottish couple Sam and Audrey Watts
decided to move down to Canterbury from Mapua,
Nelson, they were in the market for a new build, and
location-wise, they liked the look of Pegasus Town.
However, to make sure it was the right
place for them, for a year they rented a
home there. Over that time, they visited
several show homes and builders before
finally deciding to go with Benchmark.
They had built previously, so knew what
they wanted in a building company.
Sam explains: “We were looking for
builders who were competent. How
they present themselves is important.
Benchmark has welcoming offices and
premises, and the show homes are
well presented.
“But it wasn’t just about competence,”
he says. “When we started to speak
to Benchmark it was the people that
impressed us – they are a really energetic
bunch of people. We liked their
whole vibe.”
A Pegasus section with a perfect
view of the golf course was the chosen
location, and once the decision was
made, the goal was to have the home
completed in six months, so Sam and
Audrey could be in by Christmas. It was
a tight deadline, but Benchmark was
able to meet it, with the couple happily
celebrating the completion, and the
festive season, surrounded by
cardboard boxes.
Large windows in the living areas
provide expansive views of the
golf course.
“From the get-go the enthusiasm and the speed that
Richard Evans, [Benchmark Homes director] and his
team turned around drawings and ideas was unsurpassed. I
haven’t experienced that with any of the other builders we
have built with,” Audrey says.
In fact, the process had started after the couple had looked
through a Benchmark show home in Lincoln and liked
what they saw.
“Richard personalised the layout for us from that. Our
criteria was for two distinctly separate areas for entertaining
with a central kitchen ‘hub’ and that the bedrooms and the
master suite had to be away from the noisier living areas.
All the main rooms also had to face the view.”
One of the things they had learned from previous houses
was that having large, north-west-facing windows wasn’t
always ideal.
“We found we had to close the curtains and blinds all the
time during the day,” Audrey says, “so with the two living
areas with this house, we have got glimpses everywhere so
you can still see everything that is going on, and it works
really well for the sun.”
Being part of the process was also important to the couple,
with Audrey enjoying visiting kitchen and bathroom design
studios to see what the trends were and what she liked.
“A good builder will give you a selection. Benchmark
was really approachable and accessible and they answered
our queries in good time. The time I had with an interior
designer from McKenzie & Willis was useful too.”
For Sam, the technical side of the building work also met
his high standards.
“The electrics was another thing that we were particularly
pleased with, as well as the painting work. This is the first
house we have had where it used full LED lighting. It is
really quite difficult to judge what you need, but nothing
was too much trouble, and the electricians specifically
designed a lighting system for the rooms.
“We also have a central hub for the audio/visual system
and internet, together with an automated projection screen
and a ducted heating system. These all work absolutely
perfectly. You need that expertise.”
Top: Audrey visited bathroom studios to see
what she would like for the bathroom designs.
Middle: Audrey worked with the designers at
McKenzie & Willis to create the beautiful interiors.
Bottom: Facing on to the golf course, the master
bedroom offers stunning views.
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