
DIFFERENT FROM THE REST
Because we’ve been doing this for over four decades, we know a thing or two about renovating beautiful character homes. They’re beautiful in their own right. We just help them shine again.
OUR VISION
IS TO SEE THE DESIGNS OF THE PAST
MEET THE STANDARDS OF THE PRESENT
AND LIVE LONG INTO THE FUTURE
OUR MISSION
We strive to be good students of past practices, and the past building practitioners that built them, the shoulder’s of whom we now stand upon. Once we’ve learned how homes were built, we develop the best ways to bring those same homes into the present by integrating them with current building standards. We focus on older houses meeting current energy efficiency, electrical, sustainability, and structural standards, while also adding the modern comforts we’re accustom to. The end goal is for these houses to be truly unique and set apart from the ‘group-home’ phenomenon, that are highly sort after and maintained for many years to come.
Our Values
Our Working Together Process
While each of our client’s projects are unique, we’ve developed our 9 Step Working Together process that guarantees the most stress-free, high-quality, and enjoyable build process we implement on each job we do.
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When you initially contact us, we send you a detailed questionnaire to gather information and further understand your project. Once we have a clear picture, we'll send you one of our information packs to really spark your imagination. We'll also arrange a meeting with Steve and Geoff, the owners of MK&S. During this meeting, they’ll assess the feasibility of your plans, considering factors like site conditions, budget, and timelines. Based on this assessment, he'll recommend the most suitable architect or designer from our network.
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Once we review your questionnaire, we’ll contact you to schedule a face-to-face meeting with our directors, Geoff and Steve, who’ll lay out our building process. Our goal here is that once we’ve finished, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect working with us and what steps we go through.
We’ll also field any questions you may have, and hear a bit about your story. Most importantly, we’ll both have an idea if we’re a good fit for each other (we know what it’s like working with someone we don’t see eye-to-eye with!) If either of us feel we’re not a great fit, that’s ok! We promise we’ll politely point you in the right direction if that’s the case. But if we both think it’ll be a good match, we go to the next step!
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On-Site Design Meeting: For your initial meeting with your chosen architect, Steve will be present to facilitate discussions about your project objectives and ideas. The architect will then explain their process and begin developing concept plans tailored to your vision. If you already have plans, you can skip ahead to plan pricing.
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This stage marks an exciting moment as your renovation plans start taking shape. Revisions are made to ensure your complete satisfaction before moving forward. Steve and a quantity surveyor will thoroughly price-check the plans to ensure they align with your budget.
*There is a small admin fee to cover the Q.S. pricing.
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Once you're satisfied with the concept plans and pricing, we'll prepare council-ready plans, which will serve as the working drawings for your renovation. Before commencing construction, the plans are priced by a quantity surveyor to ensure fair and accurate pricing. While the council ready plans are being prepared now is great time to ask any remaining questions you may have.
*There is a small admin fee to cover the QS pricing. -
Once approved, these plans contain all the necessary information for the physical construction of your dream home. As such they contain every detail required from the type of timber or steel to be used to the cladding and windows used on the outside. These plans are sent to the Council to gain approval for construction to commence.
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With pricing confirmed and plans approved, you'll receive your Master Builders Contract, outlining all the details of the project. From dates to rates, all of the major details are identified and discussed with you, then signed off. This contract is the best way to safeguard you and your project as well as keep everyone's expectations aligned.
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With your plans finalised and your contract signed, a deposit is paid to lock in your renovation. Starting on the agreed date we implement move into the 6C’s: Construction Commences with Continual Client Communication till Completion.
Both Geoff and Steve will be on the ground from day one of your build, along with our site foreman, Joe, managing the subtrades, suppliers, checking overall material and build quality while keeping the project running on schedule. Progress with be updated and communicated with you in our weekly meeting with you and also in our scheduled site walk throughs spread throughout the build so you’ll never be unaware of the progress of your build.
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Once your renovation is completed, and your complimentary post-construction deep clean has take place, Steve will walk you through your beautiful home to ensure you're 100% in love with the end result. You’ll be given all necessary Council compliance, and builder warranty paperwork. We finish by booking in your 4 post-construction return inspections, and then leaving you to enjoy your new home!
MK&S Cornerstone Guarantee
Value of Others
At the cornerstone of all we do is our value to honour everyone we work with, because they are intrinsically valuable. This shapes, directs and acts as the cornerstone of all that we do. As such we’ve developed our Cornerstone Guarantee that reflects this value for the customer.
Quality Assurance
We assure you that your home will be constructed with meticulous attention to detail, all while using quality materials and skilled craftsmanship. If we don’t like the material quality, we send it back. If the finished product isn’t up to scratch, we redo it, or get the sub-contractor back to fix it. All of this is checked against and held accountable to our 287-point Quality Control Checklist, so you know you’re getting the best quality possible.
Transparent Communication
Throughout the entirety of your project, we promise open and transparent communication, keeping you informed about progress, timelines, milestones, and any challenges that may arise. We provide you with weekly progress updates, and opportunities to meet either face-to-face on site, or online to answer any questions or concerns you may have throughout the build stage.
Timely Completion
Your project will be completed within the agreed-upon timeframe, ensuring that you can begin enjoying your new home as planned as soon as possible. We utilise daily progress reports from our site foreman to track the progress of your build and make sure it’s progressing as planned.
Family-Friendly Environment
We’re a family run and family-focussed company. We make sure all of our tradesmen and subcontractors abide by our ‘No-swearing or crude language’ policy while on site. We guarantee our sites to be places we’d be comfortable for our own children to visit.
Professional Team
We guarantee our team are qualified, experienced, and adhere to a high level of professionalism. We also have the same expectations for our supporting contractors including architects, designers, and tradesmen, and anyone else involved in working collaboratively to bring your vision to fruition.
MK&S Extended Structural Warranty Coverage
We guarantee your project will be constructed in accordance with all Australian building codes, standards, and as per all manufacturer’s installation instructions, as a minimum. Because we stand by our quality, we also offer 10 years warranty on all workmanship of your project’s structural works.
Budget Transparency
We pledge clear pricing, ensuring no hidden costs or surprises throughout the process. If there are any unforeseen variations to the price and schedule, we guarantee to inform you of the situation as soon as we’re aware of it, while also providing a quick turnaround time to present you with the amended price and timeline to rectify said variation.
Compliance and Permits
We guarantee to obtain all necessary permits and compliance certificates required by council before, during, and after your project build on your behalf. We know liaising with council isn’t at the top of everyone’s list of things they enjoy doing. We promise to represent you and your best interests while fulfilling all council requirements for your project.
Deep Clean On us
We give all our clients a complimentary, post-construction, deep-clean of the house, on the house. The last thing anyone wants to do before moving into a new home is to have to clean it straight away. We don’t either. That’s why we’ll clean it for you before you get there.
Aftercare Support
Because we value both you and the quality you receive, during the handover process, we guarantee to book in four, post-completion inspections, as part of our Aftercare Support Guarantee. These inspections are scheduled at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the completion of your build, so that we can address any rectification works needed once the site has had time to settle. You are now a part of the MK&S family, and we don’t leave our family behind.