ABOUT US
We are a locally owned and operated family company. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the construction industry and pride ourselves on creating high quality homes at affordable prices.
We love making sure all our houses are unique, designing everything bespoke to site. Seeing our houses progress from start to finish is an exciting process for us all with the best part handing over the keys to our clients.
MEET THE TEAM
Cole Askew
General Manager
Cole has around 12 years experience in the construction industry. He is a fully Qualified and Licensed Builder and has spent many years on the tools himself. Cole also has a keen eye for finding great opportunity's and is busy finding the land to put our packages together. He also does all of our pricing making sure we are getting the best products at the best prices. When not at work you will find Cole busy at the gym or racing round on his motorbike.
Karen Askew
Colour Consultant
Karen has a keen eye for design. She has had her own home staging company for the last 10 years. She now focuses on staging our homes and creating all the colour- schemes in the homes we produce. Her ability to find the perfect colours that work together helps us produce the high quality homes we do. She's also more than happy to advise our clients on the ways they can style their home. When Karen gets free time you would find her popping into the local yoga studio or trekking across the high country stations on her horse Cruize.
Grant Askew
Development Manager
Grant has been involved in creating House and Land Packages in Canterbury for almost 17 years. You could say hes been around the block! He has a great eye with making sure all our floor plans make the most of the sun and section. No property makes it to the Construction stage until it has this mans seal of approval.
In his spare time he enjoys racing his car around Ruapuna, if you pop out to watch you may even see him catch fire again.
Mark Tayles
Project Manager
Mark has a wealth of experience being in the building game for numerous years. Mark was also in the Army for 13 years, his fellow soldiers called him Shaggy. 'Apparently' it's because he looks like Shaggy Rodgers off Scooby-Doo.
This man has it covered! From braiding hair, scootering with his two girls to managing builds - you know you will be in safe hands.
You will see him popping into each site regularly to ensure each house passes his high-quality expectations
Chloe Askew
Sales and Accounts Manager
Chloe has grown up around the developments helping where she could with cleaning and accounts. She then jumped at the opportunity to project manage the builds for the last 3 years. Her role is now focused on helping clients through the build process from start to finish and marketing the homes we have to offer. Chloe loves going away on adventures in her spare time and you will also find her carting her horses around to the showjumping events.
Logan Thom
Project Manager
Logan has been ‘on the tools’ for many years as a qualified builder working in Canterbury and overseas.
He has great experience in the practical work required on a new build project, he thoroughly enjoys working alongside trades and clients and takes great pride in a completed job done well. In Logan’s free time you may catch him hanging out with his wife and young son, hitting the lakes or plodding around the rugby paddock
Dave Fahey
Project Manager
Dave is one of our Project Managers with 10 years of experience in the industry, he has a deep understanding of every aspect of a build from inception to completion. With a keen eye for detail and his engaged, hands-on approach, Dave seamlessly coordinates all project elements. You'll be sure to often see him around sites!
In his spare time you will catch Dave out on his mountain bike, trail running, surfing and on camping missions with his family. I guess you could say Dave is an active relaxer!
Vanessa Smit
Accounts
Vanessa manages the accounts here at Freedom Built. She is a crucial member of our team, always keeping everything on track! Vanessa is very detail oriented, and nothing will slip by her! In her spare time she loves exploring nature, going for a hike and catching up with friends with a wine in hand!
Fiona Davidson
Marketing
Fiona mans all things Marketing here at Freedom Built. You will often see her around sites grabbing photos of build progress to update social media and clients regularly.
Previously Fiona has worked in the beauty industry so her creativity and eye for detail is a win for us!
In her spare time you will catch her out running with her pooch, Nixon or cooking up a storm in the kitchen!
Kerrianne Cowlishaw
Construction Administration Manager
Kerrianne has joined the guys in the construction team after 14 years working in the Professional Services industry in both NZ and internationally. With her partner being in the construction industry, she already has knowledge of this side of the company and is ready to jump in!
In her spare time you will find her out walking her fur baby, Storm, visiting her nieces and nephews or planning her next travel adventure.
Emily Ives
Sales Consultant
Emily looks after all things Sales here at Freedom Built! She recently relocated from Nelson with her family after spending the last 5 years working in the building industry up there. Emily has a passion for all things Design when it comes to new builds, she is your go-to lady when looking into Design and Build with Freedom Built.
In her spare time you'll find her enjoying hill walks and exploring everything Christchurch has to offer with her husband and children.
Kevin Tootal
Quantity Surveyor
Kevin brings a wealth of experience to his QS role, from both the residential and commercial sectors. He has a keen eye for detail and ensures clients fully understand the project costs, giving everyone peace of mind. On top of that, with Kevin’s background in landscape architecture and interior design, he’s a one stop shop for all aspects of your build! When he’s not in the office, you’ll find Kevin travelling or at the theatre.
Rachel Hill
Office Administrator
Rachel joins our Accounts team working alongside Vanessa. With over 14 years of experience in Real Estate Admin, she brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and insights that will undoubtedly contribute to the team's success and effectiveness.
Rachel lives locally with her husband and two teenage children.
In her spare time, you will find her on the side of the Hockey field coaching or supporting her kids, reading a good book or enjoying a glass of gin.
Our company values
Above and Beyond
Here at Freedom Built going above and beyond is a standard practice. We want to make the process as stress free as possible for our clients. We strive to do the best we can for all involved so we can exceed expectations and celebrate the successes.
Team
Our team stretches across the builders on the ground, the team in the office, our customers and community. We believe being a part of this team is something special. With our company culture, communication and the way we are all willing to pitch in to help each other out, we make a strong team, all working together on a common goal whilst having fun along the way.
Integrity
At the forefront of what we do, Integrity – it is not just a word it is a way of life. Having strong morals, holding ourselves accountable and acting with compassion through all transactions is a priority to create trusting relationships. We are a company committed to doing business the right way, where a handshake and our word still means something.
Community
We pride ourselves on building quality homes for everyday kiwis, to help improve the communities and to build relationships within the community along the way. Whether its supporting local teams, schools or charities we enjoy giving back to the communities we are apart of.
