Building a new home or investing in a major house renovation is one of the most consequential decisions in life.
From the dreaming and planning stage to moving into a finished home, Inverell builder Darren Grob has designed his business to assist every step of the way.
From the very start, dedicates high level of care and communication with every client for every build, so when the key turns in a new home, each person feels satisfaction with the finished product.
Now with 25 years of industry experience, Darren found his vocation as a builder as a teenager. His father was a bricklayer, and Darren worked beside him during school holidays, mixing cement, and helping his dad, but wanted to learn more. He landed work experience in high school contractor his father knew.
He went on to complete his apprenticeship, worked as a sole trader, then formed Paradigm Homes, a successful partnership with Glen Innes-based builder Gavin Petersen. Then Darren relocated to Inverell five years ago, and the volume of local projects grew to the point where both men decided to strike out on their own, and Darren Grob Building was formed.
In the process, he’s realised his aim to reduce his overheads, and created a lean, busy business, working with two younger builders in training with a focus on new builds and large, custom renovations and extensions.
He’s also investing time and intensive development in his two apprentices, Lachlan Turner and Ben Perrin. The two work alongside Darren, and he focuses on providing them intensive training.
“Being on the job with them, you’re teaching them how you want it done properly, because when it’s done properly, there’s no deviance from that,” he said.
Darren focuses his team on large projects because he has the experience and connections, but also a passion for the job and enjoys the challenge of the process and taking on unique projects.
“I’ve got the network of contractors to be able to do the job, but also, the larger scale jobs they keep you interested. Keeps you thinking,” he said.
“I like looking at the finished product when it’s all done and knowing that it’s done well, and it looks nice.”
Transparency and good communication are central to Darren’s approach to building. He takes time to discuss a project from its conception, before it even lands on paper. His focus is helping people to realise their vision for their project.
He starts with clients when the dreaming happens.
“The plan doesn’t always show what style or finish they’re looking for. That’s where you need them to show you photos they’ve got off Instagram or wherever, and start to get a feel for what look they’re trying to achieve,” he said.
“Whether it’s contemporary, or Hamptons, old-style country, Federation, that’s where the communication comes in, really. Just sitting down and spending time with people and talking about it, going through it, rather than just getting at the plan and saying, ‘Yep, it’ll be x-amount per square metre,’ and not even knowing what they want.”
Darren has established relationships with two draftsmen in Inverell to streamline the process for his clients. Once they have a solid plan in place, he joins them at a building site or their home due for a renovation, and discuss orientation, what they want to achieve, and clients then visit suppliers to make choices about materials and finishes.
“Then I price the job and give them a fixed-price contract, and go from there. So, everyone is clear and on the same page and knows what needs to be done.”
Darren believes a benefit of a fixed price gives a client a peace-of-mind about the cost they are facing, and transparency in the building process.
“No hidden costs, no salesmanship,” he said. Because I don’t think it helps anyone down the track if you haven’t been completely honest, or you haven’t allowed for things, and you’re going back to them for extras,” Darren said.
“That’s no good to me and no good to them. A lot of people don’t have the money later. They think they’ve got some savings there for new furniture and everything and that gets chewed up in extras along the way and they can’t afford to furnish their house or do their gardens.
“So we make sure that doesn’t happen.”
The fixed price doesn’t mean people can’t change their minds. Because Darren keeps the client on point with the process, if they decide to alter their plans, he accommodates the changes.
He meets with clients nearly weekly during the construction to give updates and they can see the progress.
“By the end of the job they know what they’re getting. They’ve been in to have a look,” he said.
He keeps the handover to the new homeowners low-key because they have been through the property, doing a walkthrough, reviewing the warranty papers, controls for things like air conditioners or other home assets, and is always available if the clients have follow-up questions.
“I think we really do we look after people. We value that it’s a big purchase; the most expensive thing they do in their life,” he said.
“It might take them years to pay off, so we actually want to make sure it’s a good process and they get a really good product at the end. And that it’s done in a timely manner, and what I say we’re going to do, we do.” You can learn more about Darren Grob Building at grobbuilding.com.au.
Darren Grob Building was voted by New England Times readers as the Best Builder in the New England 2024.
See the other winners and more details about this promotion.