Zen builders offer a hands-on approach
Zazen. The word may conjure up meditation and enlightenment rather than bricks and mortar, but for Dino Colica and John Simunovich, it’s the foundation on which they’ve built their future.
When the two builders launched their company two years ago, they wanted a name that was easy to remember. Hence Zazen — an extension of Zen. It also evokes the concept of yin and yang, which sums up the men’s relationship. “I’m the energetic one; John is more laid-back,” Mr Colica said. “But we’re a good team; we complement each other well. “We’re always bouncing ideas off each other.”
Before Zazen, the men worked for different building companies. They came together sharing a collective wealth of experience, and a dream. “We both wanted to capitalise on the positives of smaller building companies, and avoid the negatives,” explained Mr Colica. “That means a focus on better service and a simpler, more streamlined process, where clients are dealing with the business owners in person, not a sales rep.”
The company’s base clientele is largely second, third and fourth homeowners, mainly in the western suburbs, although Zazen has built homes from Yanchep to Baldivis. “Our clients have all built before, so they know what they want,” Mr Simunovich said. “They are more organised, more energy aware, and a lot more savvy when it comes to building products.
“We have to work hard to stay ahead of them. For instance, a geologist client wanted to know if we could install geothermal underfloor heating!”
Having experience in every aspect of building, from trades to estimating, scheduling and construction, means the pair can be hands-on throughout the whole process. But this also means a limit to the number of homes they can build. “We can comfortably build around 15 homes a year,” Mr Colica said.
“We’re not focused on growing too big. We’re happy to keep on doing what we’re doing now — delivering unmatched service and quality.
“In fact, we’re often invited to barbecues once clients move into their new home — and as most of our business is referred or return business, that’s the best marketing there is!”