Testimonials

MaryLou (2023 client)

We were unsure about embarking on a build - the stress and opportunities for things to go awry was a worry. But working with the incredible team from Positive Footprints has been really an amazing experience.  From discussing what we wanted at the design stage, through signing the contract and bringing the building to completion it has been a very fabulous experiene. They have come in on time and on budget.  Their eye for detail is excellent and the team of bulders who are part of the company were friendly, professional and a delight to work with, including a real attention to recycling building materials.  We have ended up with a beautifully desgined and sustainable home.  Completely fitting our brief and budget.  We can't recommend them too highly.

Marcus (2021 client)

I would like to send a huge shout out to the whole Positive Footprints team!  From our very first meetings with Chi and Jeremy to the final handover, the experience of turning our draughty Californian bungalow into a beautiful, modern and energy efficient home has been exceptional. 

From Chi's creative vision and clever use of harnessing the site's winter vs summer aspects, to Jeremy's knowledge and patience in working with first time home improvers, to the entire build team's energy, excellent communication and passion, Positive Footprints have delivered.  

Affordable sustainability is the mantra at Positive Footprints, and one they truly achieve.  

Cannot recommend enough!

Kirrily (2020 client)

Chi and Jeremy and team were a pleasure to work with throughout the design and build of our renovation.  They took the time to understand what we wanted and reflected this in the design.  We really appreciated their knowledge and willingness to continually look for ways to improve our home.  They take great pride in their work and this really shows in the end result.

John H (2017 client)

Highly Recommended. We have now lived in our new Positive Footprints home for 12 Months. To date, the house has performed brilliantly and is a joy to live in.

The experience with the team at Positive Footprints was excellent from the design stage to completion. Sarah did the design work and was very good to work with and had numerous positive suggestions during the design phase as well as listening to our preferences and finding solutions.  Greg the project manager did a great job; was well organised and did particularly well in arranging material delivery given the steep drive.  Greg took pride in ensuring a high standard in sustainability and finish was achieved, sourcing solutions and discussion options along the way, as well as meeting the planned completion date.  The subconstractors on the project all performed and followed up when required.  Jeremy's advice on the project was throughtful and is clearly able to provide advice based on his vast experience in the area of sustainable building and was willing to look at alternatives and new ideas.  The house faces north on an elevated slope and gets plenty of winter sun and during the first year the heating was barely used.  The additional costs involved to achieve a 8.4 star rating are proving their worth.  Built on a concrete slab with a combination of polished concrete, bamboo & tiled floors, with 9 meter high ceiling and large windows, we have all year comfort in our easy living home and couldn't be happier.  With only two people in our all electric home and 4.8 kilowatt solar system on the roof with a storage battery our grid electrical use is minimal.  The first year has been spent learning to manage the house efficiently and we are extremely happy with the outcomes to date.  Full credit to the team at Positive Footprints and we are sure that their projects will be extremely beneficial to the built environment in Melbourne

Michael T (2015 client)

Positive Footprints designed and built our 9 star home based on their Solar Sollew design. We were most impressed by their professionalism, communication and build quality. It was a pleasure to work with all team members throughout the whole process. We continue to enjoy the product of their great work every day and now fully appreciate passive solar design and build. We have no reservations in recommending them.

Carl (2018 client)

We considered a renovation or a complete rebuild, and after researching the options decided that a complete rebuild would be the best way to deliver the house that we wanted. We wanted a sustainable, high energy rated home that would maximise the liveability for our family now and into the future. We researched sustainable building companies and the team at Positive Footprints were highly regarded. After meeting with them in person we were very comfortable to go forward working with them. We worked very easily with Chi and Sarah (architect) to incorporate several changes to the “Solar Sollew” design that was already available. This was a smooth and collaborative process, with suggestions coming from both directions and a willingness to work to the best solution. We were also able to incorporate a number of reclaimed materials from our old house (including all the bricks) which were able to be reused. 
The building process was very well described (we have never done this before) and there was open and clear communication throughout the entire process. Jeremy, Luke (site manager) and the building team – particularly Oisin - were always happy to explain what was happening and keep us informed along the way. Overall it was a very smooth and controlled process. 
We have now lived in the house for 6 months and it far exceeds our expectations. The space has been exactly what we wanted and more. The house performs extremely well and is very comfortable inside in all weather, including both hot and cold weather. We have a much more open living space than our previous house afforded, which is light filled and enjoyable. We received multiple unsolicited comments throughout the build from other companies or contractors that praised the houses that Positive Footprints delivered. We fully endorse this view. The Positive Footprints team were fantastic to work with throughout the whole process and they genuinely care about the quality of the product and the customer.

A C (Client 2018)

Positive Footprints completed our new home build this year. We couldn't have been happier with them and the job they have done.  From the process of drawing up the plans with their architects to the actual build, the experience was practically seamless with no major issues or time blowouts. The quality of the build is exceptional and out 8.6 star energy efficiency rating held us in amazing stead through a Melbourne winter.  So glad that we found them to work with on building a sustainable home.

Bob B (2011 & 2014 client)

Positive Footprints helped us design, and then built for us, two townhouses in Northcote Vic.
They are both 7-star energy rated and, with the solar hot water and solar panels, generate enough credits on the electricity bills to cover the gas bills.
Chi and Jeremy and their team had the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to advise us on design, siting, and sourcing the best products and materials for our project, and to carry us through to completion on time (after allowing for the atrocious weather in 2011).
And, very importantly, their absolute integrity smoothed things through the (very few) difficulties that occurred, including after hand-over.
The Positive Footprints experience for us was so positive that we engaged them again in 2013 to completely renovate and extend a badly flood-damaged single-fronted weatherboard home in Thornbury Vic (166 Smith St).
We know we could have engaged other builders at a cheaper price, but we know from experience that when you have a design and build team that cares passionately about the quality of sustainable design and building you will get the best deal possible. You pay a bit more, but you get a LOT more in suitability and quality.

Graham E (2016 Client)

For our sustainable house we contracted with Positive Footprints to be the builder. PF firstly designed the house with enormous input from us. This was an enjoyable and ultimately, a rewarding period. Sarah, their designer, worked very well with us. Virtually every large and small idea that we had was able to be incorporated in Sarah's design.

PF became the builder. All the trades that they organised knew the work and did it thoroughly and well.
Early in the build Yarra Water was going to be very slow to approve works near their sewer. We said to Jeremy of PF that this would be a real problem and Jeremy quickly organised an engineering solution so that work could continue in a timely fashion.

We needed massive ground works early in the project. Matthew from Finlay plumbing was brought in by Jeremy and did an excellent job while being respectful of the surrounding garden.

I came home from an Alternative Technology Association meeting and said that new houses should be moving away from gas. To that end I asked that Jeremy organise a Sanden Heat Pump for hot water and an induction cooktop. This removed our need for gas, the long gas pipe from the street and gas supply charges. Jeremy readily organised all this and it all works well.

It has always been a rewarding to work with Positive Footprints and all their sub-contractors. This shows that PF is in a position to choose top grade workers. We remain on friendly terms with these trades people.

Chie M (2017 client)

HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

From design concept to completion of build, the Positive Footprints team worked diligently and effortlessly throughout the project. Any concerns or issues pre, during and post build (yes, even with post build issues) were addressed fairly, promptly and nothing was too much trouble. 

Highly praised by the local, trusted Building Surveyor (selected by owners, not the builder) who stated that it is unusual for the builder and owners to still be on good terms by the end of the build as in our case. Budget was maintained, costs were clear and transparent (very important!). You are in good hands going with Positive Footprints who have integrity, are kind to the environment and listen to their clients (open minded too as our design incorporated Feng Shui as well). 

My husband and I were comfortable working with PF from start to finish and feel blessed living in such an amazing, beautiful sustainable home. Their design is a true art form where science meets practicality whilst respecting the environment and their clients (our concerns, views ideas, designs and requests). The house is comfortable even without using air conditioning on 44 degree days. 

A sincere honour and privilege to work with Positive Footprints and Team (truly talented professionals from the architect, site manager, carpenters to the contractors - great collaboration and teamwork).
We are very happy and satisfied! 
Thank you.

Jasmine S ( 2016 client)

We were so impressed with Chi & team at Positive Footprints. From the very first email response when we reached out to inquire with them, through to the post-move-in catch up. 

As total build/reno novices, we appreciated all the information and guidance the team offered. We worked with Chi & Sarah on the design for our renovation and extension, and then with Luke and Jeremy on the build. Now we're in, we're so very happy with the end result!

The build came in on budget, though our timelines blew out by a few months. Still, we'd not hesitate to recommend the team at Positive Footprints, and would happily work with them again in the future

Nicole W (2017 Client)

Chi, Sarah and Jeremy from Positive Footprints were exactly the team we were looking for to design an energy efficient extension to our federation home built on the Northern boundary. From the first conversation with Chi we knew the process was going to run smoothly. Positive Footprints provided the perfect combination of creativity and practicality always taking into account maximising sustainable design and our needs as clients. We found the team highly responsive to our queries yet also patient when we needed time to make decisions. Their approach was extremely knowledgeable, and always professional, friendly and flexible. We were very impressed and happy with the design service provided and would have no hesitation recommending Positive Footprints to anyone seeking to build a new home or undertake a renovation.

Lynne P (Consultation 2017)

I was very keen to make my 1970's brick veneer as efficient as possible. I was provided with sound advice and options and then allowed to get my chosen features installed.  Since having the insulation upgraded and including the walls and double glazing installed my energy bills have fallen by half.  As I am still experimenting with the best way to use the features I am expecting subsequent years to show even better performance.

Peter McQ (2015 Client)

We were attracted to Positive Footprints as a company which integrates both the design and construction of sustainable houses.

Our original house was a run down weatherboard cottage built in 1914. It was cold and draughty in winter, too hot in winter and about 30 years overdue for remodelling. 

We liked the style of the house, which matched the architecture of the local area, so wanted a major renovation rather than a new build after demolition.

Our brief going into the project was fairly broad - significantly improved energy efficiency, more light, new kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and an extra study/spare bedroom, without encroaching into our backyard. We also wanted the design to be sympathetic to the original house in order to maintain external architectural consistency. 

The design Sarah and Chi showed to us met all of these goals. Essentially, the front half of our house was to be retained and refurbished, while the rear of the house was to be demolished and rebuilt to 21st century sustainable design standards. 

With a few relatively minor modifications that initial design was the one that Positive Footprints ended up building for us.

Jeremy, the master builder, was happy to accommodate our specific requests and advise about the suitability of particular products (such as tapware) that we were considering.

During the build we were regularly updated with progress and were able to visit the site as often as we requested. 

Minor surprises that arose, such as the discovery that the original house did not have lintels over windows when initially constructed, were dealt with efficiently and without fuss.

Overall, the integrated design and build process that Positive Footprints provides gave us more certainty that the architectural drawings could be translated into a built form while minimising the risk of cost over-runs or design changes that might arise if the two processes were separate.

We now have a house that is very comfortable to live in with much lower utility bills.

Shelley T (2014 Client)

Positive Footprints have done an outstanding job from the design stage right through to the building process. The house is on a small inner city block, with heritage and overlooking restrictions. My brief was for a sustainable house, with flexible spaces, outdoor vistas; which was light filled and capitalized on its northern sunny orientation. Extending only two meters kept the garden as large as possible. Three upstairs decks increase outdoor living, cross ventilation and the vistas of sky.
Positive Footprints were professional, open and helpful; and provided impeccable craftsmanship.
They enabled me to incorporate my mosaic tile designs, the use of unusual materials and other personal interior design choices.
A melding of their inspired, sustainable design and my creative input, has resulted in a beautiful and comfortable house which is a pleasure to live in.

Tim P (2014 Client)

Working with Jeremy and Chi as they built our home was a fantastic experience and one we would encourage others to undertake. It was important that their values around quality and sustainable building outcomes aligned with ours and we are very proud of the end product they produced.

K Tang (2012 client)

The Positive Footprint team designed and built a modern extension to my Californian Bungalow house. Adding a new kitchen, living area, bedroom, laundry and in the outside converted the unused pool into a water tank. Chi and Jeremy are excellent to work with. They are professional, experienced and passionate sustainable home builder. I love sitting on my couch in winter when the sun shines through the house. If you want a beautifully sustainable home, you must give Positive Footprints a call!