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16.10.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>W<\/span>e caught up with Johnny, the licensed builder behind Johnny’s Fix and Finish in Canterbury.<\/strong><\/p>\nA year into running his own business, he’s built it around renovations and decks, and around the moment he loves most: walking through a finished job with a client and seeing their dream come to life. Now he’s growing his business so he can put his skills to work for people who need them.<\/p>\n
Here’s their story, in his own words.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/i><\/div>Business snapshot<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\n\n- Trade: Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). Renovations, decking, alterations and minor repairs<\/li>\n
- Location: Christchurch, Canterbury<\/li>\n
- In business since 2025<\/li>\n
- Partnered with BC since 2025<\/li>\n
- Team size: Johnny, plus one contractor<\/li>\n
- Online profile: BC profile<\/a>, Website<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Johnny-from-johnnys-fix-and-finish.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Behind the scenes: Johnny from Johnny’s Fix and Finish<\/a> outside the granny flat he built in Lincoln | Photo by Builderscrack<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>About Johnny’s Fix and Finish<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Q: What does Johnny’s Fix and Finish do?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cWe specialise in all sorts of renovations and decking. We also do minor repairs and alterations. We’re located in Lincoln.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: How did you get into the trade and end up out on your own?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI was working away doing my apprenticeship, it took me four years to finish it. And then I got to the end of that and worked for another two years as a qualified carpenter. And I just really wanted to have the flexibility outside of a full-time job. I wanted to provide a local service to my area and actually start a business. And also have the flexibility to then go away and help people with other jobs, like friends and family. That was sort of the heart behind it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What are you getting called out for the most at the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cCurrently, especially because we’re coming into summer, [I\u2019ve] got heaps of decking enquiries, which is awesome because my background is decking and I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What do you enjoy most about running your own business?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019d definitely say the flexibility that comes with that. But my next biggest thing (…) would definitely be seeing [the clients\u2019] dream come to life. From day one, where you go in there and they go, \u2018I’d like to do this\u2019<\/em>, and you go, \u2018Yeah, we can do that.\u2019<\/em> At the end of the job it’s pretty cool walking around and seeing what you’ve created.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: And where would you like to take the business?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI’d love to be running Johnny’s Fix and Finish at a bigger capacity or a bigger scale. We’d still always be local and doing renovations and repairs, but definitely we want to have more staff. And especially in the future I’d love to be (…) free to help people as well. That would be a big, big win really.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Johnny-from-johnnys-fix-and-finish-2.jpg\" "\\"Johnny-from-johnnys-fix-and-finish-2\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Johnny in front of Johnny\u2019s Fix and Finish<\/a> poster | Photo by Builderscrack<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Using Builderscrack<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Q: What made you join originally?
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI’d set up my [business] Johnny’s Fix and Finish, and I just wanted a reliable source of work and a steady workflow. When I was doing my apprenticeship, I’d often listen to the radio and I’d hear about this site called Builderscrack, and I was like, \u2018Yeah, I’ll give that a go.\u2019<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What role has it played in growing the business?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cIt’s helped me have a consistent workflow \u2014 I’d probably say that is the big one. You finish a job, and you need a job to carry you through, or work to fill in the gaps. And especially now, some of the Builderscrack jobs I did at the start of my journey, I’ve actually got referrals from them and second visits coming back. So now my calendar’s full from some of those.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: Do you remember your first job?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cIt was a small GIB repair. Including the travel, it took me two and a half hours. The client was stoked because he thought it was gonna be a big, big job, and I even did the plastering while I was there. He gave me a great five star review. I just remember driving away thinking, \u2018Yeah, that was really cool.\u2019<\/em> So the jobs just got bigger from there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What should a tradie just starting out be doing?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cJust be open and honest, definitely, and take the time to do the site visit. I know a lot of tradies will quote for a Builderscrack job just off the information they have, but I’ll put a lot of effort into going around and talking to the client. And then, nine times out of ten, they’ll actually go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-06-140222.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Johnny\u2019s Fix and Finish\u2019s Builderscrack profile<\/a> | Source: Builderscrack.co.nz<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Building a reputation<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Q: How did it go when you started out?
\n<\/strong>
\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI think to start with it was hard, especially cause I was so young going in. Some homeowners would sort of look at me and be like, \u2018Hang on, I thought I was dealing with someone a bit older, a bit more experienced.\u2019<\/em> But now, once you build that trust with the client and show them that actually you can bring their vision to life and that you can make that difference, then yeah, it’s a great thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: How important are reviews in your line of work?
\n<\/strong>
\nA<\/strong>: \u201cIt’s pretty huge, especially for me finding subcontractors. If I’m looking for a plumber and they’ve only got two or three stars, then straight away I’m like, \u2018Hey, I need someone I can rely on.\u2019<\/em> And as for homeowners, I’d recommend finding a builder that’s got good reviews behind them, because that’s what other people have found with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: Where do you look when you need a plumber?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cQuite often, Builderscrack. I’d definitely [look for] someone that’s reliable and someone that I can count on, because especially with something like plumbing you sort of come in and out of the job a lot. Subcontractors such as plumbers \u2014 sort of come in, pre-pipe, do the drains, and then come back at the end of the job to fit off. There can be a lot of coming and going with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What do you do on site to build trust, outside of the reviews?<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI would say I spend a lot of time sort of giving the client the plan. So before the job, setting it out: \u2018Yep, this is the time that I expect the job to take; this is when we can start the job. If it goes badly or we find things that we haven’t expected, it could take this long.\u2019<\/em> We’re just trying to give them reasonable and clear expectations of how the job’s gonna go. And also when I’m on site, clear communication’s definitely key. Things like updates and regular chats on how everything’s going really.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-06-140839.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Johnny\u2019s previous work and review<\/a> on Builderscrack | Source: Builderscrack.co.nz<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>About homeowners<\/b><\/h3><\/div>Q: What should homeowners look for when they’re choosing a tradie?
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cThe biggest thing is, firstly, to find someone relatable to you, someone you get on well with, because you’re gonna have to make a lot of decisions and there’s gonna be issues that come up. It’s just part of building and renovations. So, find someone you gel with well and can work together with. And someone that’s got lots of reviews behind them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What are the steps for a homeowner who’s never done this before?<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cIt can be a little daunting because you look at the list of what needs to be done and there’s a lot of steps. But you just cross them off. The first one is finding a builder. Take that one, and from there they’ll guide you through the next steps: getting your subcontractors lined up, getting the job booked in. Don’t be scared about it. It can be sorted.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>Q: What’s the most random request you’ve had from a homeowner?
\n<\/strong><\/p>\nA<\/strong>: \u201cA pretty random enquiry came through at one point. I got an enquiry for installing a living room pole in someone’s house, and I think I ended up turning that one down because I was worried it was gonna involve a demonstration.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
W<\/span>e caught up with Johnny, the licensed builder behind Johnny’s Fix and Finish in Canterbury.<\/strong><\/p>\n A year into running his own business, he’s built it around renovations and decks, and around the moment he loves most: walking through a finished job with a client and seeing their dream come to life. Now he’s growing his business so he can put his skills to work for people who need them.<\/p>\n Here’s their story, in his own words.<\/p>\n<\/div> Behind the scenes: Johnny from Johnny’s Fix and Finish<\/a> outside the granny flat he built in Lincoln | Photo by Builderscrack<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What does Johnny’s Fix and Finish do?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cWe specialise in all sorts of renovations and decking. We also do minor repairs and alterations. We’re located in Lincoln.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: How did you get into the trade and end up out on your own?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cI was working away doing my apprenticeship, it took me four years to finish it. And then I got to the end of that and worked for another two years as a qualified carpenter. And I just really wanted to have the flexibility outside of a full-time job. I wanted to provide a local service to my area and actually start a business. And also have the flexibility to then go away and help people with other jobs, like friends and family. That was sort of the heart behind it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What are you getting called out for the most at the moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cCurrently, especially because we’re coming into summer, [I\u2019ve] got heaps of decking enquiries, which is awesome because my background is decking and I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What do you enjoy most about running your own business?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cI\u2019d definitely say the flexibility that comes with that. But my next biggest thing (…) would definitely be seeing [the clients\u2019] dream come to life. From day one, where you go in there and they go, \u2018I’d like to do this\u2019<\/em>, and you go, \u2018Yeah, we can do that.\u2019<\/em> At the end of the job it’s pretty cool walking around and seeing what you’ve created.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: And where would you like to take the business?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cI’d love to be running Johnny’s Fix and Finish at a bigger capacity or a bigger scale. We’d still always be local and doing renovations and repairs, but definitely we want to have more staff. And especially in the future I’d love to be (…) free to help people as well. That would be a big, big win really.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Johnny in front of Johnny\u2019s Fix and Finish<\/a> poster | Photo by Builderscrack<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What made you join originally? A<\/strong>: \u201cI’d set up my [business] Johnny’s Fix and Finish, and I just wanted a reliable source of work and a steady workflow. When I was doing my apprenticeship, I’d often listen to the radio and I’d hear about this site called Builderscrack, and I was like, \u2018Yeah, I’ll give that a go.\u2019<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What role has it played in growing the business?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cIt’s helped me have a consistent workflow \u2014 I’d probably say that is the big one. You finish a job, and you need a job to carry you through, or work to fill in the gaps. And especially now, some of the Builderscrack jobs I did at the start of my journey, I’ve actually got referrals from them and second visits coming back. So now my calendar’s full from some of those.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: Do you remember your first job?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cIt was a small GIB repair. Including the travel, it took me two and a half hours. The client was stoked because he thought it was gonna be a big, big job, and I even did the plastering while I was there. He gave me a great five star review. I just remember driving away thinking, \u2018Yeah, that was really cool.\u2019<\/em> So the jobs just got bigger from there.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What should a tradie just starting out be doing?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cJust be open and honest, definitely, and take the time to do the site visit. I know a lot of tradies will quote for a Builderscrack job just off the information they have, but I’ll put a lot of effort into going around and talking to the client. And then, nine times out of ten, they’ll actually go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Johnny\u2019s Fix and Finish\u2019s Builderscrack profile<\/a> | Source: Builderscrack.co.nz<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Q: How did it go when you started out? Q: How important are reviews in your line of work? Q: Where do you look when you need a plumber?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cQuite often, Builderscrack. I’d definitely [look for] someone that’s reliable and someone that I can count on, because especially with something like plumbing you sort of come in and out of the job a lot. Subcontractors such as plumbers \u2014 sort of come in, pre-pipe, do the drains, and then come back at the end of the job to fit off. There can be a lot of coming and going with that.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What do you do on site to build trust, outside of the reviews?<\/strong><\/p>\n A<\/strong>: \u201cI would say I spend a lot of time sort of giving the client the plan. So before the job, setting it out: \u2018Yep, this is the time that I expect the job to take; this is when we can start the job. If it goes badly or we find things that we haven’t expected, it could take this long.\u2019<\/em> We’re just trying to give them reasonable and clear expectations of how the job’s gonna go. And also when I’m on site, clear communication’s definitely key. Things like updates and regular chats on how everything’s going really.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Johnny\u2019s previous work and review<\/a> on Builderscrack | Source: Builderscrack.co.nz<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What should homeowners look for when they’re choosing a tradie? A<\/strong>: \u201cThe biggest thing is, firstly, to find someone relatable to you, someone you get on well with, because you’re gonna have to make a lot of decisions and there’s gonna be issues that come up. It’s just part of building and renovations. So, find someone you gel with well and can work together with. And someone that’s got lots of reviews behind them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What are the steps for a homeowner who’s never done this before?<\/strong> A<\/strong>: \u201cIt can be a little daunting because you look at the list of what needs to be done and there’s a lot of steps. But you just cross them off. The first one is finding a builder. Take that one, and from there they’ll guide you through the next steps: getting your subcontractors lined up, getting the job booked in. Don’t be scared about it. It can be sorted.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div> Q: What’s the most random request you’ve had from a homeowner? A<\/strong>: \u201cA pretty random enquiry came through at one point. I got an enquiry for installing a living room pole in someone’s house, and I think I ended up turning that one down because I was worried it was gonna involve a demonstration.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Business snapshot<\/h2><\/div>
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<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>About Johnny’s Fix and Finish<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Using Builderscrack<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Building a reputation<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/strong>
\nA<\/strong>: \u201cI think to start with it was hard, especially cause I was so young going in. Some homeowners would sort of look at me and be like, \u2018Hang on, I thought I was dealing with someone a bit older, a bit more experienced.\u2019<\/em> But now, once you build that trust with the client and show them that actually you can bring their vision to life and that you can make that difference, then yeah, it’s a great thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
\n<\/strong>
\nA<\/strong>: \u201cIt’s pretty huge, especially for me finding subcontractors. If I’m looking for a plumber and they’ve only got two or three stars, then straight away I’m like, \u2018Hey, I need someone I can rely on.\u2019<\/em> And as for homeowners, I’d recommend finding a builder that’s got good reviews behind them, because that’s what other people have found with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>About homeowners<\/b><\/h3><\/div>
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