In the Media
Tackling lockdown renovation challenges
12 September 2021 – Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray agrees there are currently challenges with home improvement work, including material shortages and labour availability – read more
Crafting a DIY cabin from building site waste
11 September 2021 – Jeremy Gray, marketing manager for online tradie hub Builderscrack.co.nz, echoes this idea of challenges. When Gray and his partner tried to build their own family home with recycled materials several years ago, it was problematic – read more
Don't bank on getting a renovation finished on time, but planning ahead helps
8 September 2021 – Jeremy Gray of builderscrack.co.nz says most of the basics such as fixings, Gib, plaster, paint, timber and plywood for simpler maintenance and repair work seem to be able to be sourced without too much of a delay – read more
Help, my garden is 'flat and lifeless'! How to do up a neglected backyard- and what it costs
2 September 2021 – We asked Jeremy Gray, from tradie marketplace Builderscrack, how much you should budget for a garden refurb – read more
How to paint in winter: What you need to know to nail an interior refresh
21 August 2021 – Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at online tradie job site Builderscrack, sees a small but regular number of jobs listed asking for shoddy work and failed DIY projects to be fixed up – read more
Covid-19 NZ: Can I get DIY supplies delivered, or get a tradie in, during Alert Level 4 lockdown?
19 August 2021 – Tradespeople can undertake essential work only, and the definition of that is “work required to address immediate health or life safety risks, or to prevent serious environmental harm at home or work,” said Jeremy Gray, spokesperson for online job-posting hub Builderscrack – read more
Tradies, plumbers in short supply as skills shortage deepens
13 August 2021 – Handymen and plumbers are in such high demand in the capital that Builderscrack.co.nz, a website that matches jobs with tradespeople who register on its site, says it’s “damn near impossible to find a plumber in Wellington in a short timeframe” – read more
Heavy rainfall brings danger warning over mould and damp
5 August 2021 – Spokesperson for tradie job site builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Gray, says around a quarter of mould-related jobs posted pertained to issues found in the bathroom – read more
What's hot in bathrooms this year?
5 August 2021 – Figures from the tradie website builderscrack.co.nz show that an amazing 49 per cent of home improvements over this period have been for bathrooms, compared to 16.6 per cent for kitchens. – read more
What do I have to spend on a bathroom renovation?
5 August 2021 – Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said bathrooms are a relatively complex area of a home, and generally show their age faster than other areas. People can spend anything from less than $10,000 to more than $50,000 – read more
Squeezing a laundry into a tight space, and a tighter budget? Here's how to get it right
20 May 2021 – With the laundry basics such as the washing machine, dryer and sink taking up most of the floor space, more homeowners are opting for things like floating shelf storage,” says Builderscrack marketing manager, Jeremy Gray – read more
Side hustle nation: One in three Kiwis earning extra cash
15 May 2021 – Around 6 per cent bring in extra money by renting out a spare room or space in their home, and 5 per cent pick up freelance projects through websites like Upwork or Builderscrack – read more
House building costs have spiked as capacity constraints and supply shortages start to bite
13 May 2021 – Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said that while the cost of materials had increased, the rates charged by tradespeople had not gone up disproportionally – read more
The rise and rise of home improvements: Why we're spending so much on renovations
13 May 2021 – Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz, where Townsley found his builder, says the surge in renovation work follows a big drop in demand for tradespeople during the March/April Covid lockdowns of 2020 – read more
How much do home renovations actually cost?
13 May 2021 – Jeremy Gray, from Builderscrack.co.nz, said as a general rule of thumb, you can split improvements into four categories – read more
Painter's 'good turn' becomes asbestos nightmare that's a warning to others
6 April 2021 – Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says unforeseen asbestos issues aren't common. "But because of the variety of materials that features asbestos throughout New Zealand's building history, and the variety of jobs that homeowners have tradies do, Builderscrack strongly suggests if anyone is unsure or if they know asbestos has been used, they need to get advice from an expert" – read more
Timber shortage stress for smaller building outlets
29 March 2021 – Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray said member builders of the online platform were frequently dealing with supply shortages and delays in the wake of Covid-19 and could usually find creative ways around it - but a structural timber shortage was a different problem – read more
Link between improvements and prices
Feb 2021 – Builderscrack.co.nz’s Jeremy Gray takes a close look at the data available around trades and renovations to make some predictions on house prices in 2021 – download
The people you need to undertake a top to bottom kitchen renovation
21 January 2021 – Whereas, spokesperson for Builderscrack.co.nz Jeremy Gray, said he has seen total makeovers of small kitchens done for $10-$12,000, "at the real cheap end" – read more
Grooves up or down? NZ's fierce decking debate finally settled
17 January 2021 – "The grooves go down," says Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray – read more
Ten home improvement projects to tackle while the sun in shining
January 2021 – The three key advantages of tackling home improvement projects in the New Zealand summer are the higher temperatures, lower rainfall and increased hours of light,” says Jeremy Gray, spokesperson for builderscrack.co.nz, an online tradie service.
Reno boom bites: Tradies in short supply
27 December 2020 – Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray says a major reason for the boom is a redirection of money that would have been spent on overseas travel to home improvement – read more
When DIY goes wrong: Is it really cheaper to do it yourself?
14 December 2020 – Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at online tradie job site Builderscrack says they see a small, but regular number of jobs listed that specifically ask for shoddy work and failed DIY projects to be fixed up – read more
Should you project manage your own renovation?
26 November 2020 – "I enjoy the renovation experience more as a couple than as a single. I think, like most people, there are aspects of a renovation I'm more attrached to than others" say Jeremy Gray marketing manager for Builderscrack.co.nz – read more
Should you project manage your own renovation?
11 November 2020 – Builderscrack.co.nz marketing manager Jeremy Gray believes the most important skill in project managing a renovation is “communication” – read more
4 November 2020 - Employment figures
04 November 2020 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris, CEO of Builderscrack says the platform saw an increase of 25% in job volumes in October 2020 compared with the same time last year, along with a 19% increase in job value – watch
Sustainable timber options if you're looking to build or repair a deck
04 November 2020 – Jeremy Gray, spokesperson for builderscrack.co.nz said unless a product is specifically labelled as FSC certified, it will very likely be from unsustainable sources in West Papua and Papua New Guinea – read more
Retirement: Before you get a granny flat read this
22 August 2020 – Wyn-Harris recommends a $5000 budget for consents and an additional amount for an architect if you're building the dwelling yourself, rather than putting on a transportable unit or buying off a plan – read more
Tradie leaves Wainuiomata woman with an unfinished deck and $8000 out of pocket
11 August 2020 – Wainuiomata woman sources tradesperson via a friend. Builderscrack spokesman Jeremy Gray said people shouldn’t be paying deposits above 20 per cent of the job’s total value – read more
Retirement: How much will it cost me to age in place in my current home?
06 August 2020 – Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray provided rough estimates for how much it would cost to make universal design changes to the home you're in – read more
Tradie costs
August 2020 – Jeremy Gray is the spokesperson for Builderscrack.co.nz, which is an online jobs board and marketplace for building work. He recommends getting three quotes, as that is a reasonable amount to make a judgment from – download
Covid-19 coronavirus: Peek into Builderscrack reveals state of the tradie business
12 July 2020 – Figures from Builderscrack.co.nz - where punters can post jobs that tradies pitch for - indicate robust activity that seems to go beyond a post-level 3 bounce – read more
COVID-19: Post-lockdown home renovation boom welcomed by tradies
11 July 2020 – The new roofs we feel is an indication of people investing in their homes - so it's not all just immediate repair work, it's actually building the value," Wyn-Harris says – watch
Homeowners keen on renovations should get a move on
10 July 2020 – I believe homeowners are making the most of availability at the moment. Usually tradies are much harder to get in the warmer months and a fair bit of lead time is required for larger projects,” said Wyn-Harris – read more
Lockdown spurs home improvement bonanza for builders and retailers
08 July 2020 – June saw our highest ever number of jobs posted on our platform at just under 8000 for the month,'' managing director Jeremy Wyn-Harris said – read more
Loft living: How to make the most out of your attic space
01 July 2020 – Marketing and communications manager of Builderscrack Jeremy Gray points out that a ceiling isn’t typically designed to be a floor, therefore structural reinforcement will almost certainly be required – read more
Spark's WeDo follows Lightbox and Morepork out the door
16 June 2020 – Meanwhile, Builderscrack managing director Jeremy Wyn-Harris says job postings on his company's site were up 11 per cent to more than 7000 in May this year vs May last year – read more
Building 101: So you want to build a sleep out...
10 June 2020 – The person that builds it definitely has to know what they're doing," says Builderscrack.co.nz's Jeremy Gray – read more
A Side Hustle Story
5 June 2020 – "The most popular side hustle are people selling online, renting out a room, freelancing using tools like Trade Me, Builderscrack and UpWork" – listen (5:09)
What you can and can't get a tradie for during lockdown
2 April 2020 – Builderscrack has provided the following list of what tradies can and can't be called for, interpreted from the Government guidelines – read more
Household jobs that will help to keep your kids busy
27 March 2020 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said involving them in household chores would not only ease the burden for mum and dad but would also get them thinking about the risks in their environment and teach them safety skills from a young age – read more
Autumn projects to tackle when you're confined to home
17 March 2020 – Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack.co.nz says heating is one of the first things to consider. "If you need firewood or diesel, it pays to organise this early" – read more
The real cost of building site and tradie vehicle break ins
14 November 2019 – Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says builders fear reprisals for speaking out – read more
It's Labour Weekend and time for some DIY property maintenance
24 October 2019 – We've talked to two experts who have plenty of good advice when it comes to sprucing up your property for summer – Stan Scott from Mitre 10 and Jeremy Wyn-Harris from Builderscrack – read more
When's the best time to book a tradie
22 October 2019 – "Despite November - February containing the Christmas break, it's actually a really good time to engage tradespeople across the board," said Builderscrack spokesperson Jeremy Gray – read more
This elegant renovation proves why all-white kitchens are here to stay
16 October 2019 – Polishing the wooden floor in the kitchen (we did the lounge, dining and hallway at the same time) was cheaper than retiling it. And we used Builderscrack to get quotes for small jobs – this saved us time spent calling around, plus tradies are competitive on there – read more
Why is there such a huge disparity in tradie quotes?
21 August 2019 – Watch Jeremy Wyn-Harris on the AM show talking about disparity in trade quotes and attempt to answer why Duncan's callout fees are higher than he expected – watch
How to tell if your builder is legit
09 August 2019 – Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray says some builders won't mind coming in to brainstorm with you, but you might be better off batting ideas around with a consultant or an architect – read more
Common Home Gas Use Safety Questions Answered
24 July 2019 – Last week's gas explosion in Christchurch has put the spotlight on gas safety, but most of us know it's easy to fall into bad habits or miss potentially dangerous warning signs – read more
Wild Weather preparation: How secure your home for the storms ahead
17 July 2019 – Jeremy Gray of Builderscrack says: "Older trees can be prone to dropping heavy limbs, or toppling. Some species are more prone to toppling if the ground is already wet. If you have any doubts, get an arborist to inspect." – read more
How one woman used plastic wrap to insulate - saving almost $20,000
12 July 2019 – According to Builderscrack.co.nz spokesman Jeremy Gray, the double glazing not only provides insulation but blocks noise too – read more
Online reviews may be fake but we still put our trust in digital word of mouth
9 June 2019 – When I had to get a gardner, I used Builders Crack. That was something that really influenced who I picked. One guy who replied to me had terrible reviews from people who had used him before and the other guy didn't – read more
BTW, reviews at BC are 100% real. Reviews can only be placed by homeowners who accept contact from verified tradies who chase the work!
Cost-effective Kitchen Renovations
7 June 2019 – The cheapest option, DIY repainting plus new handles, should come in under $1,000, according to Jeremy Gray, marketing manager at Builderscrack, who has recently been renovating his own home kitchen – read more
Easter DIY: The best jobs for the longest of long weekends
19 April 2019 – Builderscrack.co.nz marketing manager and keen DIY expert Jeremy Gray agrees, saying painting a small room, such as a study or children's bedroom is easily achievable in a few days – read more
13 expert tips you need to know before your bathroom renovation
28 April 2019 – Keep costs down by eliminating tiles. Keep the walls simple with paint and opt for vinyl or laminate flooring – read more
The 10 questions you’ve always wanted to ask a builder
7 March 2019 – Ask the builder for three or four references. It’s a good idea to check references from prior clients on builderscrack.co.nz before you even talk – read more
Busy Christchurch mum calls out 17 tradies in less than a year
4 February 2019 – But Michelle Mashal of Sockburn, Christchurch is doing neither of those things, yet she still managed to call out 17 tradies in the space of 10 months, beginning in March 2018, which builderscrack.co.nz thinks may be some kind of record – read more
A 10-step guide to planning and building your dream deck
Jan 2019 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris has helped us come up with the ultimate guide to planning your perfect deck. Jeremy is the co-founder and CEO of builderscrack.co.nz, an online service which connects tradespeople with property owners – read more
Jobs to do this Labour Weekend
18 October 2018 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris, said Labour Day weekend was the perfect time to get your home ready for summer – read more
How to save money on your bathroom renovation
19 October 2018 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris, director of Builderscrack, says bathroom renovations on the site have recently ranged in price from $8,500 to $30,000, but $20,000 is a realistic budget to renovate a medium-sized bathroom – read more
Household jobs to keep your kids busy during the holidays
28 Sept 2018 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said involving them in household chores would not only ease the burden for mum and dad but would also get them thinking about the risks in their environment and teach them safety skills from a young age – read more
Household jobs to keep your kids busy during the holidays
28 Sept 2018 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said involving them in household chores would not only ease the burden for mum and dad but would also get them thinking about the risks in their environment and teach them safety skills from a young age – read more
Is it better to renovate first, or simply sell the potential?
16 August 2018 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz agrees that over capitalisation – when you spend more than you get back in the sale – is to be avoided at all costs. He says it helps to understand the market for a house in your area pre-renovation, and the market post-renovation – read more
10 Kitchen Reno Hacks
July 2018 – Renovating your kitchen doesn't have to mean spending thousands - here are 10 easy ways to make the old feel like new.
Are Tradespeople creaming it?
18 July 2018 – Removalists in Australia earn the big bucks. $A93 an hour. Meanwhile, plumbers average $A83 an hour, electricians $A75 and general handypersons are on $A56. Jeremy Wyn-Harris of the Buildercrack trades website talks about how much tradespeople earn in New Zealand and what influences their rates – listen
Making money on the side
3 June 2018 – A Kiwi born and bred peer-to-peer site I've used successfully as a customer is Builderscrack.co.nz. It puts people needing trade work in touch with tradespeople who want the job, will turn up, quote competitively, and prize good feedback – read more
What an A4-sized patch of mould means for you
7 March 2018 – Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris said Auckland accounted for 45 per cent of mould related jobs in 2017, followed by Wellington (19 per cent) and Canterbury (11 per cent) – read more
Your home maintenance checklist for 2018
17 February 2018 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris said it's important to make sure any necessary gutter repairs are done before winter sets in – read more
How does a house fare when the temperature climbs over 30 degrees?
31 January 2018 – "Wood can shrink when it loses moisture, and you may see places where this shrinkage has occurred – there will be a strip of unpainted timber or undercoat," says Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz – read more
Easy homes fixes for a new touch before Christmas
16 December 2017 – Listen to Jeremy discuss easy fixes and new touch to add to your home before Christmas rolls around – read more
DIY jobs best left to the professionals
9 November 2017 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris from Builder's Crack says two-thirds of the posts seeking professional help on his site are from people who've either mucked a job up or underestimated the time needed to finish it properly – read more
When is a crack in the house a problem?
27 October 2017 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz says every new house will settle on its foundations over the first few years, and most minor cracks will run vertically down the walls – read more
Connecting homeowners and tradespeople
16 October 2017 – Builderscrack owner Jeremy Wyn-Harris talks about how work dried up following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and how his service can be likened to Uber – read more
Have we forgotten how to DIY?
13 October 2017 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris, founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, said he though we had become comfortable with "do it for me," instead of "do it yourself." – read more
How many Kiwis feel their home needs urgent maintenance?
August 22 2017 – "Jeremy Wyn-Harris, founder of builderscrack.co.nz., said "You really need to keep on top of what's happening - things can get out of control before you realise it." – read more
It's not too soon to start: Prepping for the big spring clean
July 31 2017 – "But it isn't, really. Jeremy Wyn-Harris of builderscrack.co.nz says now's a great time of year to get a jump on the indoor and outdoor chores that will set you (and your house) up to take full advantage of the coming season"
Who's right for the job? A specialist tradesperson or a handyman?
21 June 2017 – "Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz says that while handymen can handle many household repairs, there are certain tasks that require specialised knowledge and licensing"
Deferring property maintenance will cost you more in the long run
8 June 2017 – "When it comes to maintaining a home, there's a big difference between what people think they can do and what they realistically can afford," says Jeremy Wyn-Harris, founder of builderscrack.co.nz
Should, Could and Shouldn't DIY
3 June 2017 – Jeremy talks to Leanne Malcolm about the DIY tasks the people with a mortgage should, could and shouldn't do – listen
How to keep your neighbours on-side when renovating
9 May 2017 – Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris says communication, consideration and keeping with the regulations are key factors that will help keep your neighbours on-side during a renovation – read more
Seven DIY jobs for a rainy weekend
13 April 2017 – Co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, Jeremy Wyn-Harris, said a rainy long weekend was the perfect opportunity to tackle the household jobs that had been put off all summer – read more
Must-have items for the home tool kit
5 April 2017 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz says the most important things in the tool kit aren't the tools
What to consider before adding a pool to your home
2 March 2017 – Even the smallest inground pool is going to take up a lot of space, says Jeremy Wyn-Harris, co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz
Kitchen renovations: Where to spend and where to save
10 February 2017 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris of Builderscrack.co.nz believes the most important elements are the benchtops, flooring and sink, which all get the hardest work-out in your kitchen – read more
How to pick a tradie
29 December 2016 – Jeremy talks with Jessie Mulligan on Radio NZ about how to find the perfect tradie using Builderscrack.co.nz – listen
What do tradies wish we knew?
21 December 2016 – But whatever the time of the year, there are ways to get the best out of your tradie, and it all comes down to communication and expectation, says Jeremy Wyn-Harris of online tradie sourcing website Builderscrack.co.nz – read more
Which home improvements will add real value to your home?
19 December 2016 – According to Jeremy Wyn-Harris, co-founder of Builderscrack.co.nz, here are the upgrades, from easy and cheap, to difficult and expensive, that will make a real difference
Fun DIY ideas that will appeal to the kids this Labour Weekend
21 October 2016 – Wyn-Harris reckons not every job around the house over Labour Weekend needs to be a chore. Sometimes, you just have to plan a bit of fun, and doing some DIY with the children is a great way to build something in the process – read more
It's Labour Weekend and time for some DIY property maintenance
21 October 2016 – Wyn-Harris says this is a good time to get appliances checked that have run all winter. Gas fires, DVS systems, heat pumps, and also chimneys should all be checked or cleaned annually – read more
The Block winners come to the rescue
3 October 2016 – When Ruby put out a call on Facebook asking for help, she certainly wasn't expecting the reply she received. Sam and Emmett came to the rescue along with some help from their mates at Builderscrack
5 websites every home buyer should know
20 September 2016 – Carly Flynn and Stephen Hart discuss how the BC estimator can give you an instantaneous cost estimate, and how you can use it to find tradies for any job (even a tap on a quiet Monday)
Want the job done by Christmas? Book your tradies now
12 September 2016 – Wyn-Harris says November is the peak month for consumers to post jobs that need doing, and that painting is the most frequently listed home improvement project – read more
Switch on to better lighting
17 August 2016 – Every little bit counts when you're selling your home. And even the bulbs in your light fittings can woo buyers. That's if they're modern, efficient LED bulbs – read more
Uniting to save tools of the tradies
19 June 2016 – Officers behind Operation Resolve, established by Auckland City Police in March after a Herald investigation revealed more than 93 per cent of burglaries went unsolved last year, have approached tradies' website builderscrack.co.nz – read more
Finding a tradie
5 March 2016 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris talks to Carly Flynn about Builderscrack.co.nz and why it's good for both homeowners and tradespeople – listen
How much should you spend on your renovation?
21 January 2016 – Kitchens and bathrooms may be the most expensive rooms to renovate, but they’re also the most popular, according to Tracey MacKenzie of Builderscrack.co.nz, who found that these two rooms were the most commonly quoted on the site – read more
Renovation trends for 2016
1 January 2016 – Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris talks about upcoming trends in 2016 – listen
Builderscrack.co.nz reaches milestone
18 November 2015 – Builderscrack.co.nz co-founder Jeremy Wyn-Harris says the 100,000th job milestone happened at exactly 7.58pm on a Monday night – read more
How to increase your house sale price
5 November 2015 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris of tradie-search website builderscrack.co.nz says kitchen and bathroom renovations may return one to two dollars for every dollar spent – read more
When it's time to turn from DIY to DIFM
20 October 2015 – Kiwis are shifting from DIY to DIFM (do it for me), as busy work schedules and social commitments create a shift in priorities – read more
Makeovers need lots of talk
18 October 2015 – Jeremy Wyn-Harris shares expert tips to get the most for your bathroom refresh and renovation efforts – read more
A French Restoration
18 August 2015 – A couple of years back, TeAra Bergstrom and her husband Seth headed to France (and got paid) to help restore a 300 year old house they found out about in Builderscrack – listen
Makeovers need lots of talk
25 February 2015 – Mark Dickson, co-founder and director of Builderscrack, says the main thing homeowners need to do when hiring a contractor is to make sure they ask plenty of questions before work begins – read more
How much should you spend on your renovation?
17 November 2014 – Kitchens and bathrooms may be the most expensive rooms to renovate, but they’re also the most popular, according to Tracey MacKenzie of Builderscrack.co.nz, who found that these two rooms were the most commonly quoted on the site – read more
Small business: Advertising
17 July 2014 – Our most effective advertising isn’t really advertising at all – it is customer word of mouth. Customer referrals are our largest and most effective source of new customers, so our prime focus is to give customers a great experience, and we know they then tell their friends – read more
Trade website filled a crack
14 June 2014 – People can't write reviews unless they've posted the job, so you can't get your mum to go on and write a nice review. And when a tradesperson chases a job, they know they'll be reviewed, so they do put their best foot forward – read more
Neighbour and building company help disabled woman
7 May 2014 – Norton Fencing did not finish the fencing work and didn’t install the electric gate. They would not return to the job despite months of phone calls. Joan’s neighbour Irene, through the Builderscrack website, found a company willing to finish the job for free
The virtually failsafe way to find a decent tradesman
27 April 2014 – The virtually failsafe way to find a decent tradesman is to use Builderscrack.co.nz. You post your job and tradespeople reply. A rating system shows you what previous customers think of the tradesman. He or she knows they need to do a good job to get decent feedback – read more
Mark Dickson on NZI Business talking about Builderscrack.co.nz
Builderscrack.co.nz finds kiwi builders in France
