May 2020 - Absolute Contractors, Koyuga Vic

Congratulations to Damian Reid & Lisa Kamstra at Absolute Contractors on winning the IBN May Builder of the Month.

Even locals in Central North Victoria react quizzically if you ask them where Koyuga is.  For the record, it sits almost exactly halfway between Echuca and Shepparton, more precisely, 6 kilometres west of Tongala.

You’d be right to assume there’s not too much construction going on in Koyuga, but Damian & his team have built their business on servicing the many regional towns lacking competitive local builders, no matter how far afield, whilst partner Lisa looks after the business back home.

In less than 2 years since Absolute Builders & Contractors became members of IBN, we’ve watched Damian and his team work on commercial and residential projects in locations such as Gisborne, Bendigo, Kyneton, Mansfield, Barooga, Yarrawonga and Tongala, where they just completed a portable housing project for visiting international workers.

Most recently, they crossed the border into the NSW town of Deniliquin for a laundry renovation, and when we visited the owner – who mainly uses the laundry to groom her show dogs , just after hand-over, she was excited to show us the custom work and unique touches Damian and his dynamic construction team had made to her home.

Damian’s speciality is doing the really hard stuff, and doing it right the first time, which we credit to his strong ethics, personal attention and sheer hard work. Through IBN’s relationship with Bondor, Damian was able to develop InsulLiving, resulting in project pipeline around the state, that includes a very difficult sloping site for a BnB - in Bonnie Doon no less!

However, the life of a travelling Builder who virtually lives on site in isolated areas, isn’t always easy for the team which is why Absolute teamed up with IBN endorsed Social Media Manager, BrassTacks, to increase reach into fore-mentioned areas.

Accessing these community audiences is important for both locals and IBN Member who, like the team at Absolute, work tirelessly to grow their knowledge of  NDIS | SDA housing, and have the skills & expertise to deliver renovations and new homes, through IBN’s Adaptable Living design range.

We recently wrote about the importance of having local Builders with NDIS knowledge, and Absolute Builders & Contractors are instrumental in filling current white spots in our coverage, so we are extremely grateful for their work in supporting regional Victoria.

April 2020 - Hezzelic Homes Pty Ltd, Moorooka Qld

Congratulations to Dwain, Kurt & the team at Hezzelic Homes on winning the IBN April Builder of the Month.

Dwain and Kurt from Hezzelic Homes were very well established Builders before joining IBN and like a lot of other Builders, were spending a lot of their time quoting on jobs that did not always come off. Knowing there was a better way and not wanting to join a franchise, they came across IBN and are now one of Queensland’s most proactive members. The main appeal of IBN to Hezzelic Homes was having the large data base of priced homes that would enable them to provide an accurate price to clients enquiring immediately, thus taking out the back and forth just to see if the client was serious or not. If there was an award for the best at following up enquiries from the home shows, they would be a close favourite and follow through with all referred works with utmost professionalism. Great communication and constructive feedback make the team at Hezzelic Homes a pleasure to deal with and we are sure that they will be doing great things in the near future. Congrats Boys well done. 

March 2020 - MicStar Homes, Gympie Qld

Mick joined IBN in late 2017 with the aim of focusing on the breaking into the new home market that was dominated by the franchise builders in Gympie. Delving in head first, Mick made a full commitment to push the Independent Builders Network model and following the IBN procedure manual to a “T” Mick committed by developing a new website, promoted himself through many newspapers and magazines built a LHA Silver Level Demonstrator (Spec) home to show clients as well as branding his vehicle and sites.

This hard work has enabled Mick to break into the previously difficult new home market and build 4 IBN standard designs to date along with custom client designs. 

Through diversifying his advertising via many mediums, Mick has ensured that his name is well known in the area and is on the “Shopping list” when clients are looking for a quality new home builder. Through being a great networker and not being afraid to ask for advice and assistance, Mick is sure to continue his growth and expand his reputation as a new home builder in Gympie.

Congratulations to Mick & the team at MicStar Homes.

Mat joined IBN in December 2018 and has worked hard to grow his business which has certainly paid off as he has been able to increase the amount of new homes built by more than 4 x what he was doing before being an IBN member. 

Previous to joining IBN, Mat was battling it out with the other builders on Russell Island and although having the reputation of being a quality builder providing great customer service he was struggling to win jobs over other builders. Mat has now clearly secured his spot as the largest and best builder on the Island using the IBN plans to his advantage whilst now being more competitive through the IBN supplier arrangements.

Mat had looked at joining some of the project building franchises however knew that the local residents like to use local builders and when he came across IBN it was an easy decision that certainly paid off. 

Congrats Mat on winning the builder of the month award we are happy to see you succeeding and are looking forward to what the future brings for your business. 

With four members of the Cairns-Gazzola family involved in all facets of the company, they truly understand different buyers and where they’re at in life and since joining IBN have certainly proved that different generations bring so many positives to the business.

For the first home buyer wanting to understand the process and nervous about obtaining finance, through CDLS’ membership with IBN they can provide professional and personal finance assistance through IBN First Homes which has provided already dozens of low deposit housing through regional Victoria over the past three years and now have opened their very own home-buyer centre that will educate and provide housing for new home buyers through the region as well as catering for specific buyers through IBN’s unique Adaptable Living range of homes.

The Cairns-Gazzola Team involves four experienced family members ready and willing to assist their clients with the biggest decision they face in their purchasing life and care is taken, as you would expect from a tightknit business, with every client whether they be that an anxious first home buyer or the discerning fourth or fifth home buyer possibly building their last ever home.

On-site we have Carlo the registered Unlimited Domestic Builder (DB-U), who has over 25  years’ experience building homes with a proven reputation for quality architect-designed homes on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula over that time.

Assisting Carlo is Leigh, a registered A-Grade Electrician knowledgeable of the latest applications installed in the homes of the 21st century.  As a qualified solar installer, he can apply savvy power solutions needed to fight rising costs which comes in very handy for all buyers today.

Stacey oversees clients’ administrations and ensures all needs are met and has even completed an Interior Design Course and this will ensure communication is not lost between your dreams and the end result.

Debra backs up the team with considered accounting and administration management, again with over 25 years of experience and will make sure all progress through the build process is effectively and personally made an easy experience for all clients.

Congratulations to the CDLS team on being the Builder of the Month.