Steve Stewart knows about painting and decorating. He's been in the trade for 30 years, the last 12 in his own business, which has grown to a team of 7 qualified painters and decorators and an apprentice.
While his main base continues to be in Dunedin at new premises at 677 Kaikorai Valley Rd opposite Scott Technology, the volume of work that has built up in the Maniototo and Strath Taieri areas resulted in Steve's decision five years ago to also set up in Ranfurly. "There wer no painters and gib-stoppers in the area and with the number of new homes to be completed in Ranfurly and the work generated by new businesses either setting up or extending as a result of the rail trail's popularity I could see an opening." Just last week for instance work began on a five bedroomed unit at the historic Hyde Hotel.
He also has a contract with the Maniototo Area School and Maniototo Hospital.
Steve sees work as generated by the "rediscovery" of the intriguing area through people buying holiday homes there.
Work has kept him busy in and around Dunedin and in 12 years out of his own he completed no fewer than 150 new homes in the Otago area, including design and build properties.
Commercial work is also important. He works closely with construction companies on projects which can range from the finishing of apartments in old historic buildings to offices, factories and warehouses. Project management is also a forte. The contract for the Ministry of Education's teachers' housing from Methven to Bluff is his for the next five years, the work involving everything from plumbing and carpet-laying to redecorating "We work with the various trades but are given full responsibility of each project," he pointed out. As the business has grown Steve has inevitably moved from tradesman to manager and administrator. But when necessary he is happily back up the ladder at the end of a paintbrush.