Building success on housing boom

A family-owned building company is thriving on the strength of the housing market.

Justin Derksen from Crusader Homes which has been nominated as a finalist in this year’s Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards with apprentice Thomas Rowlands 22. Picture: FIONA HARDING

A FAMILY-owned building company which has surged with Tasmania’s housing boom has been nominated for a top business award.

Crusader Homes enjoyed a massive 44 per cent increase in revenue last year and has now been named a finalist in the Telstra Tasmanian Business Awards. The business is among 18 Tasmanian businesses which will be competing across four categories in this year’s awards.

The expansion sees the business contest the Medium and Making Waves category this year, up from last year when it was nominated for the small business category.

Director and company co-founder Justin Derksen said the awards were a great help to businesses.

“It’s part of the recognition. Seeing that the community is confident in your ability … and the product you’re delivering.”

The Telstra Business Awards aim to honour businesses, spanning nationwide searches for emerging and small to medium start-ups.

The 27th annual awards garnered 21,000 nominations this year, an unprecedented feat.

“To be recognised as a finalist is a huge achievement in itself,” Mr Derksen said.

The Hobart and Derwent Valley region’s housing boom has been significant in the success of Crusader Homes, Mr Derksen said.

“It’s enabled us to grow,” he said. “The market is so strong here, there’s a lot of opportunities where we are.”

The increase in revenue in the past year has allowed the business to take on more staff.

“We employ 18 people full-time and 45-50 subcontractors depending on the projects,” Mr Derksen said.

He said the biggest challenge when the company began in 2011 was finding skilled labour, but this had changed.

“In Hobart, we are very fortunate to have some great builders,” he said.

Telstra Group executive, Consumer and Small Business, Michael Ackland said the judges were impressed by the calibre of the 2019 finalists.

“The record number of nominations we’ve received for the program this year alone shows how dynamic the small and medium business industry is in Australia – and how supported they are by their community,” he said.

The 18 Tasmanian firms will be judged in the categories of Emerging and Energised, Small and Succeeding, Medium and Making Waves and Social Change Maker. The winners will be announced on October 3.