Home Renovating Services in Fitzroy, Victoria

“Our 146m² home is part of what was once a factory. It was converted into townhouses about 20 years ago and when we bought it, it was due for a complete refurbishment. We spent 12 months thinking about the changes we wanted to make and gaining building approval. Then, we started to look for a construction company that could provide a well-organised construction process, with high quality workmanship, for the right price. After we had had several unsatisfactory meetings with other potential builders, one of our daughter’s friends recommended we meet with Gareth Owens. Gareth is a builder and had just gone into partnership with architect, Elena Cazacu. Together, they have created Evissa, a company that focuses on design and construct projects. We were impressed with them from our first meeting onwards and even more so after talking with some of their previous clients. People consistently spoke of their professionalism, enthusiasm and reliability. Watching the project begin and develop towards completion was a very happy experience. Communication was easy and honest. Elena and Gareth were always approachable, provided us with regular and detailed progress reports and dealt with any issues or concerns in a timely and professional manner. The Evissa design and construct model was ideal for what the refurbishment we planned – two new bathrooms, a new kitchen, new flooring, windows and doors plus some reconfiguration of the internal space. Significantly, as building work evolved and revealed previously hidden possibilities, the Evissa team was quick to bring these to our attention and show us how these could contribute to our underlying goal of bringing more light into what had been a rather dark ground floor area. These changes to the design along the way added considerable value to our property and a vastly improved outcome. There was a good continuity of trades so the project kept moving. The work site was orderly, clean and, importantly, happy. The renovation was completed on time, within budget and to a high standard. Evissa provided the team and expertise that you always hope to find for a building project. We are pleased to have this opportunity to recommend them. Maureen and John Sidoti Brunswick”

“We have used Quadrant Design for two projects - a renovation in Prahran (2004/5), and a new house in Barwon Heads(2007/8). Working with Tony and his team was a truly collaborative effort, with complete give and take between architect and client. The attention to detail on both projects was outstanding - nothing was too small to be ignored. Little things made all the difference, such as the 'scalloping' of the window frames at the Barwon Heads house, which greatly enhance the visual appeal of the place. All deadlines were met, both in the design and the build phases & the way Tony interacted with the builders (different ones on the 2 projects) meant we had none of the builder/architect tensions that can so often arise. Both projects came in on time and, importantly, on budget. We were so satisfied that we are about to embark on another house design/building exercise with Tony and the team at Quadrant.”

“When we have spoken to the Concept team, we have found that our dealings with Steve to be outstanding. He has managed our project, he has been totally efficient and the service he provided was second to none. Very professional, very helpful, nothing was too hard, and very good and knowledgable, all done from start to finish without us having to worry about anything. We would highly recommend him to other people. Could not have built with out him.”

“What an amazing experience. We engaged the services of Indulge Renovations to create a new ensuite and WIR in an unused bedroom, a complete renovation of our main bathroom and a complete renovation of our laundry and powder room. Alan (our interior designer) was an absolute pleasure to deal with through the whole process. We had many conversations about the style and he guided us to the finished product! We cannot thank the team at Indulge enough for our amazing home. We’ll be back for our next project.”

“We are thrilled with our new bathroom! From the first meeting at the time of quoting, through to the final finishing touches, the GIA team was terrific to deal with - personable, considerate and really professional. It was fantastic to have the project managed by such experienced and knowledgeable people, and all completed for a competitive price. We've recommended the GIA team to friends, and will continue to do so.”

“I can strongly recommend First Avenue Homes. Anthony is a high quality builder and has the ability to make very complex tasks simple and completed our complicated renovation project in a timely manner and within budget. I will be going to First Avenue Home first for any renovation or construction project in the future. Thank you Anthony.”

“We chose Anne as our Archicentre architect after seeing her work on Houzz. We made the right choice! Not only did she agree to work with us after other architects had said what we wanted to achieve (on our budget) was impossible, but she was able to give us exactly what we needed. She went above and beyond in helping us problem-solve a renovation of a very difficult floorplan on a tiny budget. She came to our house and sat down with us, then sent us multiple sketches and revisions, even updating her own ideas once new options occurred to her. The solution she came up with is wonderful and solved all our concerns, and we were able to manage it on our tight budget. We are almost finished with the renovation now and the amount of natural light, space, and functionality Anne's floorplan has given us is truly beautiful. We can't recommend her highly enough.”

“Creative, attentive, efficient, hard working, totally professional and focused on great creative outcomes, these young architects have been a delight to work with. From creative schemes to detailed plans to working with councils, statutory authorities, builders and tradesmen, they couple a youthful innovative approach with a practical hands on attention to building, construction, planning , timelines and budgets which gets the job done. They are conscious of budget and value and have over- delivered at every step of the client architect relationship and Project. Young minds and old heads. We would work with them again in a heartbeat. And I would unhesitatingly recommend them to anyone.”

“We have always planned to renovate our existing house but had been unsure as how to overcome some flow and function issues. We wanted to add a bedroom/study, an alfresco entertaining space and a garage/carport onto our existing house. We had seen lots of renovations of similar houses but they always seemed to have something missing or were not quite right! The My Architect team were recommended after a chance conversation at a child's party - the initial meeting and concept plans really appealed to us, the idea of a relatively small outlay to see what the options and initial costings were. We contacted Cate at My Architect who set us up an appointment with Lyndal Williams. We had quite set ideas about what would be possible. Lyndal patiently worked through our needs/wants and has put together the perfect floorplan for us. It is quite different to what we had imagined and we have managed to tick off all the priorities as well as adding some wonderful extras that we feel will make our home function more efficiently as well as being a great entertaining space! We had initially planned to only use the My Architect team for the concept plans. However after dealing with Lyndal we felt that we simply had to continue to utilise her skills to help us complete the project. The set pricing for the My Architect services made us confident that we were clear about this cost from the beginning. So far we have completed plans for tendering and are waiting for building to commence in September. Cate has followed up and sought feedback along the way and despite our project taking quite some time we have never felt rushed! Lyndal has done a great job with our plans and really understood what we wanted before we did in some ways. She has also dealt with our questions and queries patiently!!!! We can highly recommend that anyone considering renovating or building use the My Architect team!”

“Rebecca was the architect and site manager for a substantial renovation to our house in Moor Street Fitzroy. The house, which had been converted in a very haphazard fashion into 3 apartments 30-40 years previously had great bones but needed considerable and skilled renovation to return it to its former glory as a family home. The building had a long and chequered history, including as a boarding house where Weary Dunlop lived as a student. We were keen that we retained the unique character and feel of the house and made maximal use of its position, natural light and views over Fitzroy Town Hall. Rebecca was a joy and inspiration to work with from the outset. She was innovative, rigorous, and listened carefully to our suggestions, especially around environmental impact and overall feel of the property. She was incredibly resourceful in sourcing products and ideas, which made a huge difference to the final design. For example, the suspended cupboards in the kitchen – a real winner given the relatively small size for storage – came from a 1950s design magazine. She managed the project meticulously all the way through, and worked extremely well with the builders and other contractors, who clearly respected her professionalism and skill. This was not an easy project – the house had been renovated repeatedly over the years and the legacy meant no wall was straight and no two doors the same size. The final renovation is superb – understated but spectacular. We haven’t had a visitor who hasn’t been amazed by the house and renovation. I’ve lived in over 40 houses and flats in the last 30 years and this is undoubtedly the best house yet. This is partly due to the original structure but also because of the renovation; I’m sure a less skilled architect could easily have made a dog’s dinner of the project. Rebecca also clearly has an aptitude and commitment to teaching and I know that she is heavily engaged in community and voluntary work in Australia and overseas.”