One contract. Home, pool and gardens.
Refined Group exists because of a gap our director kept seeing: homes designed with no thought for the landscape they sit in, and gardens bolted on at the end. He began his career in landscape design and construction before moving into building, and founded Refined Group to close that gap.
Because your home, pool and gardens are designed and built by one team under one contract, you avoid the delays, cost blow-outs and finger-pointing that come with juggling separate builders, pool contractors and landscapers.
Architect designed. Refined built.
We collaborate with some of Sydney’s great architects, and the best results come when we’re involved early. Bringing the builder into the design conversation from the start means buildability, budget and the realities of your site shape the plans as they’re drawn, not after. It also lets the home, pool and landscape be resolved as one design rather than three afterthoughts.
Already have an architect, or plans in hand? We’re just as comfortable joining part-way through design or building faithfully from completed drawings. Starting from scratch? We’ll introduce you to architects whose work we trust. And if you’re an architect yourself, here’s how we work on architect led projects.
Either way, you deal directly with our director from the first conversation to handover.
What we build
Custom homes
High-quality custom homes across the Hills District and North Shore: Kellyville, Castle Hill, Westleigh, Wahroonga, Mosman and beyond. We limit the number of projects we take on so every build receives the director’s personal attention, and we manage the entire process from site preparation to final landscaping.
Knockdown rebuilds
Love your street but not your house? A knockdown rebuild replaces an ageing home with a brand-new custom build on the block you already own, often better value than a major renovation. We build knockdown rebuilds across the Hills District and North Shore, including Bella Vista, West Pennant Hills, Cherrybrook and Turramurra. With your plans in hand, we manage the demolition, site preparation and construction under one experienced team. We also take on select dual-occupancy projects. See our Seven Hills dual occupancy, or ask us whether your block suits one.
Renovations & outdoor projects
We selectively take on renovation projects, especially those focused on outdoor spaces. If you’re looking to enhance your property with a pool, landscaping or home extensions, our expertise in these areas makes us an ideal choice.
How it works
- 01
An intro call with our director
A no-pressure conversation about your project, your site and whether we’re the right fit. Nothing moves forward until you’re comfortable.
- 02
Design & detailed quote
We help you get the design right, or work from your architect’s plans. Once the brief and plans are in place, you receive a detailed quote.
- 03
One contract
Home, pool and gardens scoped and coordinated together. One contract, one point of contact, no juggling separate trades.
- 04
Build & handover
A custom home typically takes 12–18 months from contract to handover, with our director directly involved throughout.
The paperwork that protects you
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Licensed, and you can check it yourself
NSW builder licence 263394C. You do not have to take our word for it: search that number on the NSW Verify Licence service and you will see the licence, its class and its status. Any builder can say they are licensed. Publishing the number means you can confirm it in under a minute.
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Home Building Compensation Fund cover, before you pay anything
Every eligible project carries Home Building Compensation Fund insurance, and the certificate is issued to you before any deposit changes hands. It is required by law on residential work over $20,000, and it is what covers you for incomplete or defective work if the builder becomes insolvent, disappears or dies. If a builder asks for a deposit before handing you that certificate, that alone is a reason to walk away.
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An HIA contract, not one we wrote ourselves
We build under Housing Industry Association contracts, the industry standard documents, rather than something drafted in our favour. Deposits are capped at 10% under the Home Building Act, and progress payments are tied to completed stages you can walk through and see: typically slab, frame, lockup, fixing and completion.
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Statutory warranties after handover
Your home is covered by the statutory warranties under the NSW Home Building Act: six years for major defects and two years for other work. Those are the legal minimums. In practice we stay reachable well beyond them, which is easier to promise when you only take on a handful of projects a year.
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Certificates on request, any time
Certificates of currency for our insurances are available on request, and we would rather you asked. More on what to check before hiring any builder →
Recent projects
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Custom home, pool + landscape
Kellyville
The Hills District, NSW
A 65 square architect-designed home, pool and landscape delivered as one through COVID. Double HIA Awards finalist 2023.
View project → -
Custom home + granny flat
Westmead
Western Sydney, NSW
Granny flat built first, so the owners lived on-site rent-free through their 45 square build. HIA Awards finalist 2019.
View project → -
Dual occupancy: 2 homes, 1 block
Seven Hills
Western Sydney, NSW
One block subdivided into two functional family homes. The approved plans substantially redesigned, and both homes built by one team.
View project →
What our clients say
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★★★★★
“The project was delivered on time and within budget, which is quite rare in our experience. Charbel consistently went above and beyond… We’ve since appointed Charbel to build our next home, which speaks to the confidence we have in his work.”
Nathan M. · Google review -
★★★★★
“We built our dream family home with Refined Group in 2022–2023. The best part about working with Refined Group is that they care about your home as much as you do… I would definitely recommend Refined Group to anyone wanting to build.”
Sarah P. · Google review -
★★★★★
“I highly recommend Refined Group! Charbel was always responsive and trustworthy, and helped us navigate our complex and luxury design & build project!”
Norm R. · Google review
Where we build
We’re based in Bella Vista and build throughout Sydney’s Hills District and Upper North Shore, in suburbs like Kellyville, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills, Cherrybrook, Dural, Wahroonga, Turramurra, St Ives, Pennant Hills, Westleigh and Mosman. Working close to home means we know the local councils, the blocks and the builders’ challenges in these areas. If your suburb isn’t listed, get in touch. We may still be able to help.
Common questions
Where do we start?
Reach out and we’ll set up an introduction call with our Director. We’ll talk through your project, understand what you’re looking for, and advise on next steps. It’s a no-pressure conversation, just about making sure we’re the right fit before anything moves forward.
How do you differ from a project home builder?
Project home builders work from fixed plans and fixed finishes. We don’t. Every project is designed around you: your site, your brief, your preferences. You work directly with our Director from start to finish, and we handle everything under one contract, whether that’s just the home or the full package including pool and landscaping.
Do you work with architects?
Yes. If you already have an architect or are part way through design, we’re happy to work alongside them. We also build from completed plans and can help connect you with design professionals if you’re starting from scratch.
How long does a custom home take?
A custom home typically takes 12–18 months from contract to handover, not including the design and approval phase. Timelines depend on size and complexity, and we’ll give you a clear timeline during the quoting process, then keep you updated against it throughout the build.