Construction Management
Engineering, Design & Planning
Project Management
Construction
Quantity Surveying
On-site Surveying
Health & Safety Management
Environmental Management
Building Excellence
Argon’s construction management teams have in-depth knowledge of methodologies, techniques and materials, and we work closely with specialist subcontractors and suppliers to produce outstanding results.
We have built up a reputation for efficiency, accuracy and reliability, and we enjoy working with our clients and consultants to produce high quality projects while closely managing budgets, programme and environmental factors.
Project Management
Our approach through all levels of project management is to build robust relationships with our clients, consultants, subcontractors and staff based on respect and honesty.
Communication is key – we provide timely and relevant information to key stakeholders to ensure everyone is able to carry out their duties properly and efficiently.
Our highly experienced and well-qualified project managers have a range of professional qualifications from civil engineering and surveying to carpentry and construction management.
Some of our project managers have been with the company since they were apprentices more than 30 years ago, working their way up through all levels of site management.
Our project managers foster an environment where all personnel feel involved and invested in achieving the best possible result every time.
Construction
Argon’s team thrives on building varied and interesting construction projects. We have a wealth of experience in many sectors, including healthcare, aged care, education, sports, commercial, heritage and public buildings.
Our team has in-depth knowledge of construction methodologies, techniques and materials, and we work closely with specialist subcontractors and suppliers to produce outstanding results.
We have built up a reputation for efficiency, accuracy and reliability, and we enjoy working with our clients and consultants to produce high quality projects while closely managing budgets, programme and environmental factors.
Quantity Surveying
Argon’s experienced and capable quantity surveying team focuses on the financial management of each project. This includes preparation of budgets, contract prices, procurement, subcontractor and supplier management, preparation of progress claims, variation adjustments and financial reporting to the project team.
Argon promotes a transparent and proactive financial reporting system on our projects to ensure all stakeholders are up to date and comfortable with all financial aspects.
We provide all financial information in a timely manner, including promptly providing claim and variation information with substantiation information for accuracy of costing. This prevents surprises during the construction process, and allows for efficient final account agreement.
On-Site Surveying
Argon owns and utilises the latest Leica Icon total stations on our sites for all survey and setout works. This enables us to load the 3D surface files, building gridlines and infrastructure CAD files onto one platform so we can immediately view finished levels, building and infrastructure set-out and heights anywhere on site.
It also allows us to take as-built surveys and work in the same 3D modelling space as the design consultants, which allows prompt and efficient resolution of any issues that arise on site. The Leica system interfaces with subcontractors’ excavation equipment which improves accuracy on site and avoids any over-excavation or other errors.
Our head office design coordination team operate AutoCAD and Revit, so are able to swiftly assist with any design or coordination issues that arise. They operate on the same platform as the design consultants to improve speed and efficiency while resolving queries. The information is then clearly communicated to our site-based team for implementation.
Health & Safety Management
Argon is committed to designing, planning and providing a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, subcontractors and visitors, to ensure everyone in the workplace goes home safe each day.
Argon is Prequal and Tōtika certified and is a founding member company with Site Safe New Zealand.
We operate a documented Health & Safety Management System that aligns with AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018. Our systems and policies are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they continue to be comprehensive and compliant. A thorough and site-specific health and safety plan is implemented before work begins on any site.
All our site-based staff hold current Site Safey Cards, as well as other safety qualifications relevant to their jobs and tasks. Anyone working on an Argon site, including subcontractors and labourers, must have a current Site Safety Card or equivalent H&S qualification.
Argon works with an external health & safety management provider to ensure our processes and policies are up to date with industry best practice and meet all regulatory requirements. External safety auditors inspect each of our sites fortnightly to ensure compliance with our Health, Safety & Environmental Management plan.
Environmental Management
Argon is committed to developing and maintaining sustainable building practices on our projects.
A big part of reducing the environmental impact of the construction process is minimising waste – construction waste contributes around 40% of NZ’s total waste to landfill. By working within the REBRI (Reducing Building Material Waste) framework with specialist waste management subcontractors, we have significantly reduced this on our recent projects.
As well as sending waste products to appropriate recycling facilities, we work with our site teams and demolition subcontractors to ensure anything reusable is removed carefully. We work with our clients and the local communities to find new homes and uses for these items or materials.
We have refined our procurement strategies to minimise the amount of material lost to damage, and to reduce offcuts by optimising the size of the products being ordered.
Argon is also experienced in meeting strict Greenstar requirements for minimising the carbon footprint of a building through design and construction.
Site-specific Environmental Planning
To protect local environments during construction, we develop and implement comprehensive environmental management plans. These plans assess and mitigate the risks of things like silt and sediment, dust, vibration and noise production. Each plan addresses all relevant environmental factors and is specific to the project, its site and the local environment.
Any scope changes to a project during construction are also assessed for their environmental implications before being actioned on-site, to ensure any possible issues are remedied or mitigated.
Operational Facilities & Sensitive Environments
Argon has a long and successful history of completing projects within live environments, including hospitals, universities, sports facilities, aged care facilities and in retail precincts.
Over the past 15 years we have successfully completed more than 30 projects within operational hospitals, a dozen projects within operational school or tertiary education campuses, 15 in operational aged care facilities and three within operational sports and recreation centres. This included facilitating NZ’s largest tennis tournaments – the Heineken Open and ASB Classic – partway through construction on the Next Generation Clubs and Auckland Tennis Centre project.
We are skilled in developing methodologies to minimise disruption to ongoing activities, while adhering to high standards of health and safety. Work is typically completed in stages, following extensive planning to ensure continuity of service to the adjacent spaces, and to mitigate any construction impacts to the users.
The recent Whangārei Hospital Te Kotuku Expansion project involved the construction of two new levels on top of an existing building. Construction took place directly above a continually operating maternity ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The works were planned and staged in such a way to enable continued use of the existing maternity unit and to minimise disruption. There was a high focus and importance on operational continuity, health and safety of staff, patients, whānau and ambulances during construction.
This work was recognised at the 2024 NZIOB Building People Awards. The project team won Highly Commended in the Collaboration category, with the judges noting:
“Despite the challenges of working above an operational neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) ward, their problem-solving kept the project on budget and minimised disruptions. Clinicians impacted by the project remarked they had never worked with such a collaborative team, nor one that listened to their individual needs so well.”
Ready to Transform Your Project?
Contact us today to discuss your needs and discover how our expert team can help you achieve your goals. Let’s build something great together!
