by Helen Martin
Phillip Steedman was born and bred in the family home he now owns. Son of John and Maryann Steedman, Phill is proud to live in his childhood home with his partner Danelle and their four children, including the newest addition, baby Luxford, born the night before lockdown.
Since 2014, Phillip and Danelle have run Guaranteed Electrical from a purpose-built shed on the property. Setting up the business was a natural move for Phillip, who has a lot of experience and drive. On leaving school he did a few months’ labouring then moved to Kumeu Tyres, where he became a certified tyre fitter. He really enjoyed that, because he’d always wanted to be a mechanic, but his stepfather Barry, who was a co-owner at McLeod Motors, wouldn’t let him. “He thought it was a hard, dirty job.”
Phillip begun his electrical career as an apprentice with Coyote Electrical in Waitoki, where he worked for eight years. “I was lucky to be with Peter Chapman in that company and I also worked with Victor Buckle, both were great tradesmen. We did so many different jobs and the level of experience I got out of it was huge. We worked long hours, but I enjoyed the hard work. We did a lot of domestic houses, multiple town houses, high rises, office buildings, you name it and I probably did it. I wired the Albany Tennis Stadium when it was first built, the Dressmart Centre, the ASB building – big commercial jobs.”
Phillip worked for several different companies over the years before setting up Guaranteed Electrical with Danelle. “When we started it was all domestic work, now we’re also working on renovations and new builds. We try and communicate with the client and figure out what they really want, because I like to finish a job with a happy client.”
Phillip loves the job. “It’s very physical, hard, hot work. You need to be able to support your body weight on your fingertips all day, every day. You can spend days crawling through rooves and under houses. But the trade has been good to us. Once you are qualified and have your “ticket” you always have work.”
Phillip and Danelle want to keep their workers employed and to keep everyone safe. “Our whole industry is built around not getting electrocuted. When I train someone, I remind them the importance of slowing down and concentrating on getting the little things right. The company must work as a cohesive machine because everyone in it is crucial. It is important to have a happy work environment for all involved in Guaranteed Electrical. Things only get confusing when you start confusing needs with wants,” says Phillip.
Guaranteed Electrical is proud to announce they have recently become MASTER ELECTRICIANS. “We can now offer a $20,000 Workmanship Guarantee on all residential work to give our customers everyday peace of mind. As well as being accredited SmartVent installers, we have completed a Health & Safety assessment with Site Wise, qualifying with top marks, and have been awarded our green certificate.”