Celebrating 10 years of building dreams – Landmark Homes Taupō's decade of award-winning excellence

From humble beginnings to a multi-award-winning Design and Build team, the growth and success of Landmark Homes Taupō is a reflection of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. 

The franchise opened its doors in 2014 with a blend of serendipity and strategic vision. Accountant Gerry Schumacher, who had been selling franchises for Landmark Homes, saw an opportunity and put his feelers out to find a builder who might be interested in partnering with him. The local PlaceMakers crew suggested Steven Painter, who had a solid reputation in the area for his building prowess. 

For Steven, it was the ideal opportunity to move beyond the physical demands of on-site construction. "To be honest, I didn't want to be banging nails and standing frames when I was 50 or 60!” says Steven. 

The idea of becoming franchise owners was daunting for both, but the support and solid systems provided by Landmark Homes New Zealand made it feel doable. Steven says that Landmark Homes founders Debbie and Paul Clarke created a very successful business model built on a reputation of honesty and quality. 

“It’s a combination that offers real advantages, not only for clients building their dream homes but also for franchise owners and staff. With a trusted brand, reliable processes, and comprehensive systems and support, everyone benefits.”

With Gerry’s background in accounting and franchise sales and Steven’s hands-on building experience, they jumped into the challenge of setting up Landmark Homes Taupō. The early days were all about learning and adapting, but their shared vision and combined skills set the stage for success.

Steven and Gerry admit the initial years were challenging. Like any new franchise partners, the pair had to navigate the complexities of adapting to structured processes and systems. 

“We’ve had our fair share of painful moments!” says Steven. “But that’s all part of growth in any business, and it’s helped instil a lot of resilience and determination. Challenges help make you stronger – both as a business and as an individual.”

At the heart of Landmark Homes Taupō’s success is a dedicated team that shares a common goal of delivering excellence from start to finish. 

Steven says the contributions of long-serving team members have been invaluable. Many have been recognised for their excellence, most recently New Home Consultants Kristy Portas – who won New Home Consultant of the Year and surpassed the $50 million mark in sales, while Tanya Robinson won the Client Communication award and Construction Manager Caleb Steunebrink, took home awards at the recent National Sales and  Construction Awards. 

“My goal was always to be where we are now,” says Steven. “And that has truly been a team effort. From wives and partners to individual contractors and team members, both past and present, everyone has played a part in the success of the business over the past decade.”

Over the past decade, Landmark Homes Taupō has hit some impressive milestones. The team has built 270 beautiful homes, each one showcasing the high standards and attention to detail Landmark is known for. 

The team has also racked up an impressive collection of 45 prestigious awards, including the coveted Landmark Homes Franchise of the Year for four consecutive years. These awards highlight their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

One of their proudest moments was having four homes recognised in the Master Builders House of the Year Top 100, showing off the exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design that define their builds. 

Their early expansion into new areas like Rotorua and Whakatāne proves their growing reputation and capability. And last year, Steven and Gerry said goodbye to the Rotorua and Whakatane areas and joined forces with Tony Lafferty as co-owners of Landmark Homes Hawke’s Bay. Steven says the Hawke's Bay region has loads of potential with new opportunities in upcoming subdivisions and developments.

A big focus for the Landmark Taupō team right now is showing off their impressive new Showhome in the newly established Seven Oaks subdivision of Kinloch. 

The Showhome is all about contemporary family living with a generous 242m² floor plan, featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and three unique outdoor living spaces.

“Kinloch is a beautiful suburb with a very picturesque landscape, so the design of the Showhome was very focused on blending in with the environment,” says Steven. 

As Landmark Homes Taupō celebrates its 10th anniversary and new Showhome, the team is excited about future possibilities. 

“Looking back over the past decade we can proudly say we've not only built some incredible homes but also relationships, trust, and a reputation for excellence in the industry, and that’s pretty cool,” says Steven.

For anyone thinking about building in Taupō, Steven says now is a great time to have a chat with the Landmark Homes team. 

“There are new stages being opened up in Seven Oaks and Ngā Roto, along with another new subdivision about to be released. Taupō is proving a popular place to build. There’s always something happening in the region. It’s just a great place to live and a really positive environment to be in.” 

Landmark Homes Taupō’s new Showhome at 60 Seven Oaks Drive, Kinloch, is now open and ready to inspire with its perfect blend of style and sophistication. 

Visit the Showhome to see firsthand the quality and innovation that Landmark Homes Taupō offers or get in touch with the team to start planning your dream home in the beautiful Taupō region.