New & Custom Home Builders Near Excelsior

“Our new build was a significant challenge for Against the Grain for a number of reasons. Firstly the site was tight as the rebuild had to be within a restricted envelope due to heritage protection requirement of the existing garden. Secondly the design was a one-off with a very high level of structural engineering and unusual specifications such as rammed earth walls and steel rod roof supports as well as extensive fire rated double glazing to capture the world heritage view of the Jamison Valley. Thirdly we specified a high level of finishes especially in the joinery. David Spees who owns and runs Against the Grain is a man of his word who took great personal interest in ensuring the job met our requirements. He was proactive in suggesting improvements to design and finishes, at times involving difficult debate with our architect, which we greatly appreciated. David Spees has an associated joinery shop that produced the beautiful joinery finishes throughout. Site management was exemplary under Errol Boswell who managed a complex large project with great skill, perseverance and good humour. The employed carpenters and closely associated trades worked together as a great team displaying the highest standards. Post completion the builder has responded quickly and effectively to remedy any defects. The home has attracted much favourable comment, including at the HIA awards in 2018 when it was a finalist, for its architecture, materials and the joinery. We are delighted with our new home and have no hesitation recommending Against the Grain.”

“I chose Jamie Brennan because I wanted to build a sustainable off grid home that incorporated strawbale but used other materials as well and I saw that Jamie had done this in many of his other projects. From the first meeting with him I was satisfied that he understood what I wanted. Our first site meeting consisted of walking my acreage, discussing prevailing winds, fire hazards, windbreaks, views, sun positions -a completely holistic approach to siting my house in the landscape to minimise its energy usage. He handled the DA and tendering for a builder with a minimum of fuss, including submitting and explaining documents and engineering plans for techniques that local council had not seen before. Once building commenced Jamie, myself and the builder met weekly on site. Jamie kept minutes of each meeting and checked all invoices from multiple contractors before passing them on to me for payment. He managed the project working closely with the builder and outside contractors while keeping a tight reign on the budget. He was able to make suggestions and guide me (little knowledge of the finer points) regarding finishes. I was happy to leave many decisions entirely to Jamie in the knowlege that whatever he chose would be aesthetically appropriate. I cannot speak highly enough of Jamie. I will miss our weekly meetings where decisions were made often with a bit of a chat and a laugh between Jamie, the builders and me. I would have no hesitation in recommending Jamie or using him again. He has given me my dream home - not only a home that is energy efficient and comfortable in all seasons but a home that is beautiful and even better than I dreamed.”

“I highly recommend Ross Young as an architect. He has helped me bring my South Coast project to life. I had a rough idea of what I wanted when I consulted Ross. However his input in to the design and practical and problem solving aspects of the plans was exemplary. Ross is really good to deal with. He is very consultative and has the empathy required to understand your individual needs, and has lots of his own ideas, advice and solutions you would not normally think of. I have known Ross personally for many years while I was living in the Blue Mountains (our kids went to school together). I have always admired both of his self designed homes he has lived in with his family, with him recently completing the current home in Katoomba which is magnificently connected with the outside environment. Ross is a self-reliant and independent thinker. He is an outdoors man with a particularly practical and philosophical approach which he is able to reflect in the architectural dwelling designs he achieves. What I see in his designs is an ability to value the environment the dwelling is built in, and to connect it with an artful flow of living space, which is both simple and calm, but at the same time very clever. As already mentioned, Ross is great to deal with and really good at the smaller details such as completing and advising on necessary bureaucratic processes required such as dealing with builders, councils etc. He takes a lot of the stress out of the whole process with his vast knowledge and strong work ethic. He was very efficient, practical and timely with his work all the way. Ross has good reason to take great pride in his work and this is reflected in the quality of service you will get from him. Highly recommended.”