Building a Forever Home in Saint Clair
Success Story
For Kate and Peter, the journey to their new home in Saint Clair began with a site they already loved. They had owned the section for years, drawn to its stunning views over Dunedin, but the steep contour made building a challenge.
When Kate’s son, Rhys, reached out to Tim from Platinum Homes Otago, the solution quickly became clear. With his experience on complex sites, Tim proposed building a substantial retaining wall to create a flat platform, turning a steep slope with more than ten metres of fall from front to back into the ideal site for a single-level home. The steeper the site, the more the wall needs to be anchored into the hill, so Tim constructed a two metre deep concrete base to support what is now a six metre retaining wall. Tim’s practical approach and years of experience in building helped turn a challenging site into the perfect foundation for Kate’s forever home.
Kate had previously lived in a multi-level house she loved, but moving closer to family and planning for the future were key priorities. The Saint Clair section, just a few doors down from her relatives, offered the perfect location. When she discovered a Platinum Homes plan that mirrored her previous layout on a single level, the decision was easy.
Throughout the process, Tim and the Otago team worked closely with Kate and her son Rhys, who is also a builder. Their open and collaborative approach meant both were involved every step of the way. Kate says she was confident from the start that Platinum Homes Otago could deliver.
Now settled into her new home, Kate says she couldn’t be happier, a warm and accessible space designed for comfort and independence. “I’d happily recommend Platinum Homes,” she says. “They were very good. Tim was approachable and great to deal with.”
Watch the full video to see how Tim and the Platinum Homes Otago team helped turn a steep Saint Clair section into the perfect forever home.