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In the detail - LOC Construction
WORDS Lisa Gold IMAGES Veronica Wedlake

Attention to detail is key in a home build, but for LOC Construction, precise detail down to the exact millimetre is what makes them stand out in the luxury residential architectural building sector in Canterbury..


Les and Tom O’Connell, the father and son duo behind LOC Construction, have always been dedicated to their craft and are no strangers to hard work. Tom has been on the tools in the business since he was a teenager, working up to now lead the team; while Les has been building for 45 years, starting the company in 1991 after a very successful rowing career.


Persistence to be the best led Les to winning two Rowing World Championships in 1982 and 1983, then onto wining gold at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984. As he explains, ‘Rowing taught me persistence and to never accept anything less than 100 per cent – attributes I have always applied to my business.’


A search on their website reveals they have consistently won Gold in the Canterbury Master Builders Awards, and at a national level. It is an important part of their make-up: being able to put your work up each year to be judged by your peers. It builds confidence and pride in the team and shows clients the value of what they are getting when they choose LOC Construction.



Tom says a big reason why LOC Construction is successful is due to the way they have structured the company to make the most of their strengths. Tom, as General Manager, is responsible for securing the work, liaising with clients, suppliers and subcontractors up to the point of the build starting. The sites are then handed over to the foremen and the team; from there all sites are overseen by Les in an operational capacity. Les has, up until recently, been on the tools but has now been able to step back and play more of a support role with the team he has developed. His work ethic has been an example to the team with the principles of working hard and producing the highest standard of work.

Tom says a big reason why LOC Construction is successful is due to the way they have structured the company to make the most of their strengths. Tom, as General Manager, is responsible for securing the work, liaising with clients, suppliers and subcontractors up to the point of the build starting. The sites are then handed over to the foremen and the team; from there all sites are overseen by Les in an operational capacity. Les has, up until recently, been on the tools but has now been able to step back and play more of a support role with the team he has developed. His work ethic has been an example to the team with the principles of working hard and producing the highest standard of work.


Tom says there’s a dedication to each luxury build they take on, with projects taking anywhere from one to two years. ‘An architecturally designed home has different elements that the architect has spent a significant amount of time to develop, and it’s our job to bring their (and the client’s) vision to life. These homes are much more complex, and we need to pay attention to every detail.’

Most recently the company won six awards at the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards for a $1 million – $1.5 million home in Prebbleton. The winning home, which connects its living spaces with a covered glass corridor, took 13 months to come to life and is a classic example of the quality craftsmanship that keeps Les and Tom O’Connell pushing to deliver the best. ‘This build took building complexities to a new level,’ says Tom. 


Firstly, the 356 sqm home was built in two stages, so the clients could live on-site while construction was underway. ‘The job was for a professional couple with children, so knowing they needed to live in the property meant we had to have the wing they were living in completed to the highest standard as soon as possible,’ he continues. ‘It was a different experience having a client on-site for the build, but I enjoyed working with our clients and it meant that if we needed to speak to them, they were right there. They could also see the progress of their build first-hand. We are highly focused on our clients, and we want them to enjoy the journey of building their dream home by including them every step of the way.’

Tom says the house has a lot of detail that isn’t easy to spot and required the utmost attention in the building process. This is where Les’ experience and expertise is most valuable, not only in ensuring a perfect result, but in teaching the team along the way.


‘The house had every door, internal and external, extending from the floor to the ceiling which was 2.7 metres. With most doors you have a timber reveal you can see, but there were no reveals in this house so every measurement had to be precise down to the exact millimetre, otherwise if the ceiling and doors were at different heights in the slightest, the door would hit the ceiling,’ Tom explains. 

The one-storey home is also seamlessly connected by a glass corridor, creating a flawless flow. It features four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two living rooms on a large lifestyle block with a bespoke Palazzo kitchen in contrasting black and white tones.


The build had architectural challenges for the team, but the construction also coincided with the building supply shortage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The duration of luxury builds means LOC Construction always plan their materials well ahead of time, which was a huge advantage for the Prebbleton project. ‘We normally order what we need at the start, but it still took months for some supplies to arrive from overseas. We took matters into our own hands and instead of ordering pre-made frames we built our own on-site and managed to stay on schedule,’ Tom says. ‘The client and architect envisioned an amazing home and our job is to collaborate throughout the project to ensure we deliver each detail.’


Evidence of this commitment could not be clearer with LOC Construction’s apprentice Jake Rochford winning this year’s Central South Island Apprentice of the Year Award. Jake started with the company straight from school and has grown into a very competent builder.

The team at LOC Construction are tightknit and great ambassadors for the company. Over the course of a build, they really get to know their clients and build trust with them.


‘We all enjoy coming to work every day,’ concludes Tom, ‘and delivering the best outcome for our clients.’ 


loccontruction.co.nz


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