We have worked with Brad Deighton from Oceaniablue Constructions since November 2006, when he was engaged to act as Construction Manager on a $5 million residential project in Wilyabrup, South West, Western Australia.

Since commencing work on the project, Brad’s role has shifted toward a complete Project Management service for our client. We have found Brad and Oceaniablue Constructions to be excellent in this role. He has approached this project with the highest standards of professionalism and ability and we would have absolutely no hesitation in providing a professional reference for Brad and his company.

We look forward to working with him on future projects.

Please contact me should with any queries.

I purchased a 118 acre property on then Lot 4065 Osmington Road in July 2003 and moved to live there full time in 2005. While a solar pump carried water 800 metres uphill to the top paddock to gravity feed to orchards and animal troughs, there was no facility to water pasture or crops in that paddock. The brief was thus to build a studio which would house my considerable library and provide rainwater catchment to service that paddock, which is surrounded by natural bush. The project has grown in scale and now is described by Council as a Lodging House, which can be used for birdwatching excursions, weekend art camps, short term family accommodation, a place for my extended family to stay. It sleeps at least eight people comfortably while still fulfilling its function as a studio retreat, and there are already expressions of interest from people who have watched it being built and want to hire it for weekend workshops.

I drew up rough plans and submitted them to Tectonics Building design to prepare for Augusta/MR Shire Council approval. I had contracted a local builder, but he was too busy with other concerns to give it his attention so after five months’ delay, I sought the services of Brad Deighton, of Oceania Blue, having been impressed by the detailed craftsmanship on a restored timberframe building in Margaret River which he had overseen. He prepared a detailed budget within two weeks, and since I engaged him has shown an exemplary professional interest in the project, understanding and effecting the ecological and psychological requirements that I had in mind. The original plan was for Styrofoam blocks filled with concrete, but the cost of delivery was too great, and on Brad’s advice I chose rammed limestone.

Building commenced almost immediately. Brad has visited the site on most days, organized excellent tradesmen, made constructive suggestions for improving the design and incredibly has been ahead of schedule and below budget on most things. His redesign of the staircase is very pleasing, and on the odd occasion when I have not taken his advice, he carries out my wishes without rancour. He communicates frequently by email, sometimes up to five a day, so that details and agreements are on record. When I sought his help on things outside his brief, such as restoring the kitchen of my cottage, preparing garden paths, or building a garden wall, he has been willing to organize labourers, provide materials and generally organize these extra projects, willingly and helpfully. He is responsible for remarkable details, placing the owl nesting box on the east wall and for the limestone plinth beneath the fireplace.

The quality of finish speaks for itself in its attention to detail. His expertise in building, especially carpentry, is evident in minor matters like kitchen cupboards and shelving and the alignment of bush poles, to which I had not given much attention. I would not hesitate to employ Brad again should the occasion arise and highly recommend him to others not only for his professional skills and courtesy but for his excellence in keeping the expenses under control. Brad has maintained the integrity of my original design to construct a collegial and comfortable meeting house, though I am so delighted with it, I may live in it myself.

I am pleased to provide a reference to support and recommend Bradley Deighton of Oceania Blue Constructions as a builder having experience with ICF (insulated concrete form) construction projects.

ICF construction is a relatively new construction method in Australia although well established in other parts of the world notably Europe and America. ICF construction is being adopted increasingly throughout Australia as a cost effective, fast-track and energy efficient construction system.

Brad has demonstrated his capacity to work with ICF building systems on a multimillion dollar residential project in the Margaret River region in South Western Australia in 2006 where he was responsible for supervision of the final stages of the project, taking over from Mr Kim Stirling of Grounds Kent Architects.

Formcraft ICF wall systems were used through this project for internal and external walls, below ground cellar, retaining and first and second storey walls.

Feedback we have received regarding Brad’s handling of the supervision is entirely positive and substantiates his excellent organisational and supervision capabilities.

He has good contracts in the trades and is well regarded by the tradesmen that have worked for him.

Brad is an enthusiastic ambassador for ICF construction having previously worked with Formcraft ICF construction systems. He understands the benefits of ICF in terms of ease and speed of construction and the structural and environmental advantages it offers.

I am pleased to recommend Bradley Deighton and his company Oceania Blue Constructions as a builder for projects using ICF construction systems.