By Ram Builders
RAM BUILDERS LTD was started in 1998 by me, Ross McPherson. I'm a time-served, trade-certified carpenter. I did my apprenticeship with three Auckland building firms, working primarily in West Auckland and Central Auckland.
Most of my apprenticeship was served to work on high-end villa and bungalow renovations, the ones where we had to install rafters, not pre-made trusses; where we had to cut ornate cornices by hand, not run them through with a drop saw. My apprenticeship ensured I was taught how to build a house from start to finish, so I’m proud to say I’ve never worked on a cheap knock-em up group home where you only get to stand pre-nailed frames.
I’m proud of something else too: my team. It's not only me that knows what matters on building sites - my guys do too. They are all trade qualified carpenters or are on their way to becoming one through a proper BCITO time-based apprenticeship. I choose my guys not only for their building skills, but also for their people skills, their honesty, the value they place on family, and their character. These are the type of guys that go the extra mile to make sure a job is done right, not just done quickly. They are problem solvers, not problem makers. Finally, there's one other quality that is essential to being on my team, and that’s a great sense of humour - because building sites just work better when you can have a laugh.