29 June 2020

Looking for a builder for renovations

| mutley
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My turn to utilise the hive-mind that is RiotACT.

We’re looking to do some renovations to our house in the next 6-8 months and are looking for any recommendations/warnings for builders.

The plans are done and now we need the builder. We’ll be knocking out some walls and putting in an ensuite among other things.

So who is recommended for and against?

If you’re also looking to renovate your home, kitchen and/or bathroom, check out our recently updated articles on the best bathroom renovation companies, the best kitchen renovation companies and the best builders & renovators in Canberra.

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To those who have done major renos or know about this stuff…

Do you actually need a land surveyor to contribute to the plans? This is the third day I have sat at home waiting for said surveyor to turn up and I’m thinking if we don’t need this service, I’m going to can him.

Oh to get good help these days….

Cheers!

Stuart Marshall is good, he actually talks to his customers, and listens. He’s doing quite well.
http://www.marshallconstructions.com.au/

Matken Constructions.

Matthew Kennedy.

Good bloke.

Great tradey.

Reno is due to start in August, so will hold off on providing feedback until things are at least some way along.

I have got to admit though that most of the builders we contacted were less than responsive with quotes.

I know this post is a bit old, but can I ask if you ended up finding anybody to do your renovations as yet and if so may I ask who?

my partner and I are looking at getting some renovations done and our kitchen redone and we figured that its always better to ask for other peoples experiences than to just take a stab in the dark.

Being young and a little bit inexperienced we don’t want to be taken for a ride by anybody dodgy.

Cheers

Unfortunately getting quotes is a bit of a laborious process, but will be sure to let people know the outcome.

So who did you end up going with??

Thanks to all who’ve provided recommendations. We’ve made a few calls and will see what we get back.

Holden Caulfield11:28 am 01 Mar 09

Snap.

Thanks for the thread mutley.

A work colleague used Professional Home Improvements for his first extension a few years ago, and was so pleased that he’s getting them to do another one. There’s no greater endorsement of a job well done than repeat business.

Also, not sure if they do renovations, but a friend of mine has a Dad who’s a building inspector, and he recommended that she have Gracious Living build her house. She’s been very happy with the job.

Ask whoever did your plans for recommendations.

Don’t use Aspect!

I recommend hk0reDuck. He probably needs something to do and this would be an excellent skills development opportunity.

Regard it as a contribution to the economic stimulus.

Whatever you do DO NOT pay up front or pay in full unitl you are satisfied that the work is done to your satisfaction. An old builders trick is to get the money up front and do the job at THEIR leisure and to THEIR standard. Why would they turn up to your job when they have been paid already. They would rather finish other jobs that they have not been paid for yet.

Pay 1/3 up front (to cover materials), pay 1/3 progress payment (if all is going well) and the last 1/3 when the job is completed to YOUR satisfaction. MOST IMPORTANTLY make sure you put a completion date into the contract AND put some sort of penalty payment for each day over the completion date.

Good luck!!!!

I’d like to put in a vote against hk0reDuck.

Please do not offer me the job, I’ve got absolutely no idea what i’m doing.

solomon-trujillo10:25 am 27 Feb 09

Giulio from G&A Builders has 40 years experience and specialises in renovations. I had him do renovation (new kitchen, new bathroom, knock down walls, tiling throughout) & extension (big rumpus room, master bedroom with ensuite) at my place and I thoroughly recommend him.

It probably helps to say he’s reasonably priced and you get that warm old-fashioned customer service as well 😉

62584464

I have worked, as an electrician, for quite a few builders in the past 20 years.
There is one who stands well above the rest.
Viv Ingold, 0412655452, is a perfectionist, great tradesman, good bloke, honest,reliable….I could go on.
He only uses subcontract trades that meet his standards.
He’s the only one I will let touch my house.
Obviously such a builder is busy, so 6-8 months out is a good time to enquire.

BTW, No. I’m not Viv!

Paul and Craig from Owen Brothers are brilliant and specialise in renos. They recently did a reno on my friend’s house and it’s stunning. She was really happy that I’d recommended them. Paul is an absolute perfectionist.

Owen Building Group
PO Box 5147 Chisholm ACT 2905
0417 468 479

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