Recently, in putting together the new look for IMP Building Group, I had the chance to think about my journey as a builder and how it led to IMP Building Group.
The interest in working with my hands started very young with my dad. A skilled carpenter and builder himself, dad has a building company in Brisbane & the Sunshine Coast. It was impossible not to be drawn into the trade and dad was teaching as soon as he could get me holding tools. At age 10, he convinced mum to let me help out on the weekends. I always remembered him watching over me like a hawk. I always thought it was to make sure I was doing a good job but now that I think about it, it was also to make sure I never got hurt and learnt the right techniques to do so.
As soon as year 12 was done and I had to pick my path, there was really no other career I was looking into. I started my training and apprenticeship in carpentry. As dad always said, it’s where you really get to hone your skills as a tradesman. I completed my apprenticeship in 2003 as a carpenter and continued working with dad for a couple more years.
I was always proud of dad and how he built his company from the ground up. I wanted to do the same so that I could have something to show my kids in the future. So in 2005, I rounded up a small team of 6 apprentice carpenters and started IMP Building Group in Brisbane. Back then, we were very much carpentry focused and our first project was with another larger building group on a 100 site development where I contracted 6 townhouses. As hard as it was in the beginning, I learnt plenty through the trials and tribulations of having my own business.
Over the next 10 years, IMP Building Group grew steadily. We took on more projects and more staff. I always held on to the ideals that were hammered into me since young: quality work, correct techniques, and ensuring everyone maintains a safe working standard. This built our reputation within the industry in Queensland. From building 6 townhouses with 6 carpenters, we grew to over 50 employees working on projects all over the state. We won tenders for large principle carpentry projects including building between 30 and 50-townhouse projects to building schools and learning areas. We gained experience in high-end residences, resorts, childcare centres, and commercial and residential renovations and fit-outs. Today, we have completed over 200 projects across Queensland and New South Wales with plenty more in progress.
Personally, I also saw the importance of my place in the industry. I saw the importance of continual learning for myself, and continual training for new apprentices. I started my higher levels of construction education in 2013 and am a qualified master builder. We also regularly take on skilled apprentices to give them both the experience but also important lessons for the industry. This means to learn the right techniques so you can produce good quality work you can be proud of and always be safe. This is something I stress to my senior staff to pass on, as we want to create a positive working culture at IMP Building Group.
As we often look ahead to what is next as a company, I also see the importance of taking stock of where we came from. I realise the journey for me and IMP Building Group started from my dad teaching me the trade all those years ago. The skills and perhaps more importantly, the values as a tradesman were essential to making me who I am today. These are reflected in the image of IMP Building Group and we will continue to practice our core principles of quality and safety as we move on to the next stage.
Ivan Perkovic, Director of IMP Building Group