The Clark residence - The initial build was about as basic as it gets for our pole house constructions. This is another older project from our archives, posted here for interest and for the nice testimonial from the owner.
Professor John Clark had bought a sloping, rocky block of land overlooking the Franki Creek Valley in Wentworth Falls, a suburb up in the beautiful Blue Mountains. John's brief was quite straight forward... design and build me a simple house to lock up stage with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and a nice big deck, so I can head up there on the weekends and relax with a glass of wine while enjoying the peaceful valley views. We can certainly do that!
Professor John Clark had bought a sloping, rocky block of land overlooking the Franki Creek Valley in Wentworth Falls, a suburb up in the beautiful Blue Mountains. John's brief was quite straight forward... design and build me a simple house to lock up stage with 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and a nice big deck, so I can head up there on the weekends and relax with a glass of wine while enjoying the peaceful valley views. We can certainly do that!
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The only other requirement was that there be enough clear space underneath the house to maybe build another living area and bedroom at some time in the future. This one was "a walk in the park", and we completed the initial build in around 8 weeks from start to fully locked up, including stairs and handrails etc. We didn't do any internal finishes or landscaping around the house. John would complete those tasks at his leisure over the next few years, utilising our recommended tradesmen and local subcontractors. Easy peasy. |
We did indeed return several years later to John's "weekender" in The Blue Mountains to construct Stage 2 of his concept, as we have done with quite a few of our projects over the years. Unfortunately, a hard-drive issue meant that we weren't able to retain any photos during the construction periods. Just a few images of the house several months after the first stage was completed, but you get the general idea of the job.
Testimonial by Professor John Clark:
"Dear Wayne.
I was glad to have the chance to catch up with you again recently by phone.
I remain extremely pleased with the work you did for me in constructing my weekend house in the Blue Mountains to lockup stage. The workmanship was excellent, there were no errors or problems and the work was completed on time and on budget. People had told me I was mad to contemplate building a house because of all the difficulties that would occur. I must say they were quite wrong as far as my experience was concerned.
I found your approach totally professional and helpful from the time I signed the contract through to job completion. People who lived nearby (including one senior and now retired building professional) said that your crew were the hardest working and most organised group of builders they had seen. The structural engineer who inspected the property commented on how well it was built as well. To this day people find it hard to believe how quickly the basic structure was completed. It is now two years since you finished the first stage, and it is some indication of my satisfaction that I approached you about adding a second stage to the original works. As with the initial construction, I was very pleased with the work that was done both in quality, speed and price.
I wish you well as you establish your new business. The housing industry in Australia needs more people of the calibre of you and your team. If I need further building work done, I will certainly be calling you again.
With my best wishes,
Professor John Clark"
I was glad to have the chance to catch up with you again recently by phone.
I remain extremely pleased with the work you did for me in constructing my weekend house in the Blue Mountains to lockup stage. The workmanship was excellent, there were no errors or problems and the work was completed on time and on budget. People had told me I was mad to contemplate building a house because of all the difficulties that would occur. I must say they were quite wrong as far as my experience was concerned.
I found your approach totally professional and helpful from the time I signed the contract through to job completion. People who lived nearby (including one senior and now retired building professional) said that your crew were the hardest working and most organised group of builders they had seen. The structural engineer who inspected the property commented on how well it was built as well. To this day people find it hard to believe how quickly the basic structure was completed. It is now two years since you finished the first stage, and it is some indication of my satisfaction that I approached you about adding a second stage to the original works. As with the initial construction, I was very pleased with the work that was done both in quality, speed and price.
I wish you well as you establish your new business. The housing industry in Australia needs more people of the calibre of you and your team. If I need further building work done, I will certainly be calling you again.
With my best wishes,
Professor John Clark"