Neil and Julie
Mosman
Our build was effectively a new home, which included an almost complete demolition of an existing house and the retention of the skeleton of a three storey dwelling.
Our architect highly recommended Ashley Fletcher and his firm Southern Star Constructions. Prior to our first meeting we made contact with six of Ashley’s previous clients, each of them providing us with good strong recommendations and satisfaction with their builds. With initial architect plans provided, Ashley attended our first meeting fully prepared with an incredibly detailed budget and very concise pricing options.
We had no hesitation in choosing Ashley to work with us on our major renovation. He was very professional and informative in relation to both the contract and all of the regulatory documents required.
During the construction we had to deal with numerous issues that required consideration, as we were unaware of them at the time of planning. We found Ashley to be very thoughtful and careful in his consideration of our options, clearly explaining what was occurring and offering helpful suggestions to progress the build. Ashley came up with unique solutions to many difficult situations, which come as part of a renovation as opposed to a new build. As happens, we also requested a number of changes to the plans and Ashley’s responsiveness to variations were always cheerfully accommodated and discussed in detail, including cost options.
Ashley was on the job 24/7 and showed particular skill in managing the many sub contractors, carefully managing the quality and timeliness of the various jobs on site and preparing for future work. He had an attention to detail and commitment to excellence that was beyond our expectations. One of us was on site at some point every day and Ashley and his amazing team were always available to us at any time. His paperwork was meticulous and we received detailed weekly running sheets.
Quite unrealistically, we gave Ashley a move in date of 13 months and yet he achieved it to the day. We have not had one major issue with the home since moving in. We have no hesitation in recommending Southern Star Constructions and Ashley Fletcher.
Neil and Julie
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Stuart and Jenny
Seaforth
We met Ashley Fletcher from Southern Star Constructions in February 2003 when we engaged the company to undertake a major renovation of a 25 year old house in Seaforth. We’d recently arrived from the UK with little knowledge of either renovation projects or how the building industry worked in Australia.
The project was pretty serious – over $1m to be spent on a complete re-work of a six bed, three level home. It was a tired old place that needed significant attention. Structural modifications and major aesthetic enhancements were required, along with a pool complex that needed to be completely re-worked.
From the outset, Southern Star was a pleasure to work with. A great team of skilled trades people under Ashley’s supervision. Our confidence in the company grew quickly with us adding the additional challenge of wanting to remain in the property whilst the work was underway.
I think that you get what you pay for in a construction project like ours – the result was a first-class renovation project that was delivered virtually stress-free. Since our big Seaforth project, I have engaged Southern Star to deliver a number of smaller jobs. As well as unreservedly recommending Ashley and his team to others, I would not hesitate in using them in any future projects.
Stuart and Jenny Penny
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Vic and Sara
Middle Cove
We were introduced to Southern Star Constructions Pty Limited by our architect Tom Simmat, in early 2002 as we wished to undertake a major renovation of a 5 bedroom house in Middle Cove.
During the 10 months that Ashley and his team were working on our house they regularly kept us informed of progress, both with written progress statements and reports and financial updates. He also welcomed us on site whenever we chose to visit. Once we had moved in, it was not an unpleasant or awkward situation having the tradesmen coming in every day to the house either. We were guided through a myriad of complex decisions from the minutiae of a kitchen refurbishment to the structural difficulties arising from a new wet-edge swimming pool design or building cantilevered balconies out where none existed before. Ashley clearly knows his trade and the options available on all aspects of house conversion.
All the tradespeople introduced by Ashley were reliable and honest and gave their best efforts to ensure top quality service but good value at the same time. Our house was not a straight forward project given that it comprises 4 / 5 stories, built into the rocks against which it rests, so there were several instances of rather unique problems that arose. Ashley, however, proved to be an excellent builder, so we managed to resolve all technical difficulties satisfactorily and without any acrimony.
Since completion, Ashley has been very accommodating in returning to help with the little glitches that inevitably arise and have sent the appropriate tradesmen back to rectify the minor problems we’ve had.
We would highly recommend Southern Star Constructions Pty Limited.
Vic and Sara Davies
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Adam
Clontarf
This is a reference for Southern Star Constructions who were the builders on a project we completed at 59 Peronne Avenue, Clontarf, around the end of 2009.
The brief was to enlarge and rebuild a 1950s timber cottage with exceptional views from its steeply sloping site, Southern Star accepted this project under negotiated contract after previously completing some minor works on the clients Georgian home in Bellevue Hill.
In this instance our clients were extremely fastidious (more than usual) and Ashley Fletcher conducted the building process very professionally and produced building work of a very high quality. I'm certain my clients are of this opinion also.
The construction cost of this project was more than $1 million dollars and I would have no hesitation in using Southern Star similar high quality projects and to a much larger value.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Adam Pressley FRAIA
Principal Architect Reg. No. 6007
All Australian Architecture.
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Paul and Kylie
Seaforth
I am pleased to be able to provide a reference to Southern Star Constructions regarding the quality and service provided in the recent renovation of our house at Seaforth. The project was extensive, involving significant renovation, addition of a second storey, construction of a pool and garaging along with landscaping of the property.
The project delivery team were a pleasure to deal with, attentive to detail and responsive to our requirements and changes throughout the project. The quality of construction has been excellent with no corner cut to ensure the desired outcome for the project was achieved. A benefit of the Southern Star approach was the architectural input which assisted in resolution of design issues from our initial plans.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Southern Star to any party considering significant renovations or full construction of their house
Paul and Kylie Madden
16 Ellery Parade, Seaforth, NSW 2092
Sven
Freshwater
I have recently completed a project with Southern Star Constructions for a detached two-storey dwelling in Freshwater, New South Wales. On this project I was both client as well as architect. The dwelling built by Southern Star Constructions comprises a double garage and storage rooms, 3 bedrooms, two living areas, dining room and kitchen, two bedrooms (one en-suite), a guest WC, laundry. The project also includes the construction of a fully tiled outdoor swimming pool.
Southern Star Construction was appointed to build the dwelling to architects specifications and drawings with a stage 2 DA completed, with full builder's supervision of the site and all trades. The construction commenced in December 2009 and was completed in October 2010.
I personally dealt with Ashley Fletcher throughout the construction process and through every trade involved and found his technical expertise, management of the sub-contractors and the construction programme exceptional in all aspects of the project. Southern Star's selection of sub-contractors also deserves mention as the quality and reliability of trades does make a lot of difference. The site was well managed, at all times safe and coordinated and only delays experienced on this project were due to exceptionally long rain periods in the early stages.
For the fixed price elements of Southern Star Constructions contract the works were completed in accordance with the contract prices; for additional scope commissioned outside the main contract, the documentation prepared by Ashley and his team was concise and accurate was in all cases approved. Ashley also coordinated external consultants involved, such as surveyor, private certifier, structural engineer and hydraulic engineer.
As a professional in the industry I have no hesitation to recommend Southern Star Construction again for projects of similar as well as larger size. Needless to add that as both architect and client I regard this project as a success in both quality of construction and experience of the construction process. Should any questions remain, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sven Ollman
Director
MORRIS BRAY MARTIN OLLMANN
Anitra and Jonathan
Cremorne
After working with Ashley Fletcher on a major renovation and upper floor addition completed in 2005, and now with a second phase underway which involves excavation and building of a garage, we have no hesitation in recommending Southern Star Constructions. It is not often that a renovation is a positive experience but Ashley's pride in his work and communication style have always given us confidence we would end up with a good quality result. We always felt well informed about progress, plans to resolve identified issues (often which Ashley identified before we did) and required variations.
After initially receiving quotes from several builders, we were impressed with Michael and Ashley's willingness to work with us to review the quote, identify areas we could remove or defer and develop a phased approach to fit our budget.
We moved out of our house during the renovation so it was important to us that Ashley completed the agreed work to allow us to move back into the house on time - his management of sub-contractors and activities in ensuring the schedule was met was excellent and we moved back on the date we'd planned.
We are also very happy with the quality of the work carried out by Ashley and his team. Their attention to detail and compliance with our specifications were of a high standard.
We would recommend Southern Star Constructions as a company that can provide a high quality result, on schedule and within an agreed budget.
Anitra Gollings and Jonathan Low
Cremorne, NSW
Robert Henderson,
Structural Engineer
As a consulting structural engineer I have come to rely on Southern Star Constructions (NSW) Pty Limited for their professional approach to business both with regards to the contracting and the administration aspects of projects. They are particularly knowledgeable and experienced in complex remodeling of existing buildings including underpinning and resupport of existing structure and delicate demolition. They work confidently with concrete, steel, timber, masonry and glass. I have found their work to be correct and accurate. I commend Ashley and the Southern Star Constructions team on the standard of workmanship and quality of finish achieved on the projects with which I have been involved.
Robert Herbertson
FIEAust MIStructE NPER CPEng
