Ellis Family Construction, trading as EF Construction, is a Wellington-based building company operating out of Paremata, Porirua. Formed in 2012 by Director and Carpenter Dean Ellis, who runs the business alongside his wife Ashley, EF Construction has grown over more than 25 years of combined building experience into a trusted name across Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Kapiti.
The company specialises in bespoke and architecturally designed homes, from easy-living single-level houses through to large multi-level builds, alongside renovations, alterations and light commercial projects. As a member of the Certified Builders Association of New Zealand, EF Construction places a strong emphasis on trade-qualified builders and has built its reputation on professionalism, attention to detail, and a personal, family-business level of service — the team notes that most of their work comes from personal referrals and recommendations.
Being a small, family-run outfit means clients deal directly with people who care about the outcome, while still delivering the workmanship expected of a Certified Master Builder. EF Construction project manages every build from concept to completion, working closely with clients and their architects, and gives clients their own login to an online project management system to follow progress, view updates and request variations throughout the build.
When Dean Ellis started Ellis Family Construction in 2012, he was in the middle of two big life projects at once — renovating his own first family home and welcoming his first child. One of the company's earliest jobs was a high-end hair salon on Lambton Quay, Jean Jaques, and from there EF Construction steadily built a name for itself across the wider Wellington region.
More than a decade on, the company — still run by Dean alongside his wife Ashley — has become a trusted, Certified Master Builder outfit serving Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Kapiti. With over 25 years of combined building experience behind it, EF Construction has carved out a reputation for bespoke, architecturally designed homes and a genuinely personal approach that comes from staying a small, family-owned business.
EF Construction's work spans four main areas: new home design and builds, extensions and renovations, light commercial projects, and full project management. On the residential side, the team designs and builds everything from easy-living single-level homes to large multi-level properties, always working within the client's budget. For homeowners unsure whether to renovate, alter, or replace an existing home altogether, the team steps in early to simplify what can be a daunting decision, helping clients work through the options logically.
The company also has runs on the board in light commercial work, having project-managed fit-outs and builds including the Jean Jaques salon on Lambton Quay, the TSB Arena Cafe, and retail fit-outs for brands like 2degrees and Stirling Sports — work that draws on a team of industry experts and subcontractors with a strong focus on health and safety.
What sets EF Construction apart is less about scale and more about how they operate. Being a small family business means clients get a personal service without sacrificing a high level of workmanship — professionalism and attention to detail run through both the build quality and the client relationship. It's telling that most of the company's work comes from personal referrals and recommendations rather than advertising, a sign that past clients keep sending friends and family their way.
EF Construction is a proud member of the New Zealand Certified Builders Association, which recognises members who build to a high standard and stay current with the latest building practices. On top of that accreditation, the company backs its builds with the Halo Guarantee, giving clients an extra layer of peace of mind through the build process.
EF Construction positions itself as more than just a construction crew — the team project manages builds from concept through to completion, working closely alongside clients and their architects at every stage. To keep clients in the loop, EF Construction provides a personal login to their online project management system, so clients can follow progress, see updates, and request variations without having to chase information down.
The team says one of their favourite parts of the job is handing over the keys at the end of a build to a happy family — a fitting sentiment for a company that started with its founder building his own family home and has spent over a decade helping other Wellington families do the same.
For anyone in Wellington, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt or Kapiti considering a new build, renovation, or light commercial project, EF Construction offers a free quote and a genuinely personal, family-run approach to getting it built right.