Architect-designed and custom homes from Burleigh to the Tweed, built by a small team that still answers its own phone.
Small by choice
Big builders juggle forty sites through a project manager. We cap it at two, so the person who quoted your home is the one checking your frame.
What we build
Four kinds of project, all run the same way: honest numbers up front, Michael on site most days, and a photo update in your inbox every week.
Your block, your brief, one team from slab to keys.
Demolition, design and build under one contract.
We work alongside your architect to get the details right.
Major renovations to homes you already love. New kitchens, ensuites, second storeys and whole-home refits, planned so you know which rooms you lose and for how long.
Our homes
A few recent handovers. Tap any photo to see it larger.
Free planning tools
The questions we get asked at every first meeting, answered with honest, typical Queensland numbers. Send your results to Michael and he'll come to the site meeting prepared.
Rules change and every lot is different. Your certifier gives the final word. More at qbcc.qld.gov.au and cityofgoldcoast.com.au.
How it works
No sales team and no hand-offs. The person you meet on the block is the person on site every week.
We walk your block together, free, and talk about what you want and what you want to spend.
A straight answer on whether your brief fits your budget, before anyone draws a line.
With your architect or our designers. We coordinate engineers, the certifier and council.
Michael on site most days, a photo update every week and his mobile for anything in between.
A final walkthrough together, a spotless home and your keys. Then we're still a call away.
What owners say
Sample reviews
“Michael and the team built our forever home and finished two weeks early. Every trade was on time and the site was spotless.”
“We interviewed five builders. Hartwell was the only one who gave us a straight answer on price and stuck to it.”
“Quality is next level. Six months in and not a single defect to chase.”
“The Friday photo emails were the highlight of our week. We were overseas for half the build and never felt out of the loop.”
“Our architect said it was the best-built version of one of his designs he'd seen. That says it all.”
About Hartwell
We only take on two homes at a time, so Michael is on your site most days, not just at handover.
Every client gets a weekly photo update and a direct mobile number. No project managers in between.
Tap the H.
Where we build
Custom homes and knockdown rebuilds across the coast and into the hinterland. Not sure if you're in our patch? Just ask.
Questions
Something we haven't covered? Send it through and Michael will answer it himself.
It depends on size, block and finishes more than anything else. Try the budget planner above for a typical range, then book a site meeting and we'll give you an honest number for your brief.
Yes. We walk the block with you, talk through what you want and what you want to spend, and tell you straight if the two don't match. No obligation.
So Michael can be on your site most days. It means we sometimes have a waiting list, but you'll always know who's building your home.
Absolutely. About half our work is architect-designed. We like to see drawings early so we can flag cost and buildability before they're finalised.
It comes down to the structure, how much you want to change, and whether the house has character worth keeping. The knockdown or renovate helper is a good start; we'll give you a straight opinion on site.
Typically 9 to 18 months on site for a custom home, plus design and approvals beforehand. We'll give you a written program before we start and update it every week.
You'll get a photo update every week and Michael's direct mobile. You're welcome on site any time, with a quick call first so we can walk it together safely.
Domestic building contracts include a cooling-off period, deposits are capped, and QBCC home warranty insurance covers eligible residential work. The QBCC explains it well at qbcc.qld.gov.au.
Book a site meeting
Book a free site meeting. We'll walk the block with you and talk budget honestly.
To: Michael Hartwell · 0400 XXX 000