JOHNO THE BUILDER
MISSION : IMPOSSIBLE
“Uniquely trained and highly motivated, specialist without equal,
immune to any counter-measures, but this is an agency of chaos…”
– Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, 2015.
WORDS MEG BIGNELL
T
wo passionate people, one impossible
dream, only one man can make the dream
come true: Johno the Builder.
He is brash, he is tough, he is fair and he
will not compromise on quality. Graham “Johno”
Johnstone of Lyden Builders is the man that Bec
and George have hired as their Project Manager.
They have entrusted him with the incredible task
of completing a 150 day build in 40 days. And if
anyone can do it, he can.
“Not only is this a time pressured build, but it’s
also a very complex one, says Johno. “Any build
that combines renovating the old with building the
new is the trickiest, there are challenges in cleaning
up the old and marrying it with the new. But I love
this sort of build, it’s the biggest challenge and the
most rewarding. And I’ll give it my best shot.”
The key to success, according to Johno, is to get
everyone working together and keeping things
harmonious on site. This hasn’t been easy, with new
challenges facing them every day.
“There are the usual arguments between Bec and
George over design details and such. I tell them
if they don’t stop arguing I’ll throw a spanner in
between them. We have a laugh. I guess I am a bit
of a peacemaker.”
Beyond the smaller arguments have been bigger
issues that call for Johno’s superpower problemsolving skills. Delays in deliveries, stubborn
contractors, treasured trees blocking the way and
rock that requires explosives. All of these have been
chewing up precious days – but Johno has taken it
all in his long stride.
He says it “mostly” helps the process that Bec
and George are very strong willed, experienced
in styling and design and know exactly what they
want.
“There’s no compromise with Bec and George,
they stick by their ideas,” says Johno. “The only
compromise I will make is for practical reasons, I’ll
never compromise on good workmanship.”
He says that George’s practical knowledge of
building sites and trade background has been a
huge help. He also admits that there have been
some unrealistic ideas about the site, particularly
from Sam the Architect and sometimes from
Bec and George, that have to be negotiated.
But ultimately his job is to keep things running
smoothly.
“A happy building site is a functional building
site,” he laughs. “And it is. If ever I feel
overwhelmed, someone will always say, ‘Come on
Johno, you can do it’.”
And if it comes down to the wire when meeting a
deadline? Johno says that his secret weapon will be
manpower.
“I’ll have to throw all my men at the job to make
up the days. But we’ll get there.”
With Johno at the helm of this ship, it is likely
The Love Shack will get there. And on his way to
Lewisham perhaps he could drop by Fort Knox, fly
a helicopter into the lobby and set it down right
inside the vault – saying with a smile, “I gave it my
best shot!”.
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