April 23, 2007

We have now settled into our new home and we are simply delighted.

The house is simply a great place to be. A simple meal becomes a pleasure when eating on the back deck. Opening a bottle of wine becomes an adventure!

The different zones in the house work wonderfully, and the house will accommodate our different needs as the children grow.

To embark upon such a major project is somewhat daunting, particularly when you hear so many horror renovation stories. Our experience was the complete opposite. The planning was thorough and the execution of the plan timely. Throughout, communication was excellent and at no time did we feel left out of the process.

Needless to say problems were encountered along the way as would be expected but they were always dealt with in a most professional manner. In particular being able to call you at any time to discuss issues was particularly helpful.

The finished product is a reflection of the professionalism of all involved.

There are many people to thank, Aaron, Dave, Attila, Brent, Lauren, John and in particular Lachy and yourself.

We will have fond memories of having handover with a glass of champagne looking around our new house and thinking is this for real!!

Many many thanks
Andrew, Gabrielle, Hugh and Angus Silvers

March 18 th. 2007

Dear Damian

I write this letter on behalf of Laura and myself to thank you and your team for the wonderful outcome that you have produced with the renovation of our house at Sorrento.

As you are well aware our job was far from straight forward with interferences from so many areas that we could not predict. Your company, with particular reference to Lachy Watson and John Canny, handled every instance with a high level of professionalism and anxious owners with attentive and compassionate service levels that have resulted in our complete satisfaction.

More particularly I would like to thank you for the consistent high standard of finish in all aspects of the job. We were referred to Canny by a trusted friend with the knowledge that your company prides itself on being at the top of the quality barometer and we are now very pleased to have chosen to go with Canny as the result is magnificent.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your ‘after sales service’. As you are aware there are some outstanding items that await external approvals and your company has followed up with those and other issues that have arisen quickly and efficiently – great job all round, thank you again.

I would be very happy to act as a reference for Canny Builders should you deem it appropriate and I wish you well in the continued growth and development of the high quality Canny brand.

Yours sincerely
Chris Lavender

January 2007

Dear Damian, Dave and the team @ Canny,

We have been in our new home for 6 months now. We never imagined that what started as a simple idea 3 years ago, could have ended up as our dream home, let alone the HIA home of the year! Congratulations!!

When we came to you, we were frustrated with the process we had been through with others. You took complete control of the Design & Construction process and your team were able to replicate our dreams & ideas into reality just as we imagined them.

With the design complete we embarked on the construction which, although daunting to begin with, it soon became apparent to us that your team had the process well under control. The communication throughout the construction phase allowed us the comfort to enjoy the process. We were always fully informed and knew exactly what to expect. There were no surprises and the end result was simply outstanding!

We can’t thank you and your team enough for our magnificent home.

David & Jan Stevens
268a Domain Road
South Yarra VIC

Email Received 13th December 2005

Ashley Grove, Malvern

We chose Canny to make our dream a reality after they were recommended by three independent sources.

The Canny team’s attention to detail is impressive, they utilise only quality products and have excellent trade subcontractors at their disposal.

Canny, having completed our design plans during the settlement period of our property, were able to commence construction the same week we took possession in early February 2005. The scope of work for the project, which was extensive, and included landscaping, was completed by early November 2005.

We were impressed by the outcome and the manner in which it was achieved. We have no hesitation in recommending Canny.

Yours Faithfully
Kevin and Tracy Houlihan

OUR HOME IN HAWTHORN EAST

8th March 2005

Dear Team Canny,

Thank you for our exceptional home.

From our first meeting, we knew we were in good hands. The daunting task of building a new dwelling was made much easier by your outstanding professionalism and care way beyond our expectations. The house is sensational. Everyone loves it and we love sharing it. It has such warmth and soul. It is a fantastic home to raise our girls, entertain and relax in.

After you took our design thoughts, you managed to create the perfect family home. Along the way, even if we wanted to make changes, the Team incorporated them without fuss or commotion. We have been living here for six months now, and the house is a joy to come home to. Even when we have the smallest of problems, we are thankful that Team Canny is on it quickly and efficiently. The before and after sale service has been phenomenal.

We could not be happier and the end result is one that truly delights all who visit it - and will do so for many years to come.

Many, many thanks

Georgina, Philip, Charlotte and Isabella Knightley

To all the staff at Canny,

4th April 2004

We are writing to say a big thank you for the magnificent house you have built for us.

When we started looking around for Builders it was a very daunting experience. After meeting with you and having dealings with your staff you have made our building experience painless. Nothing was too much trouble and people always got back to us to answer any questions we may have had with out any problems.

I was put in charge of our house-building project and I had heard many people say it is very hard being a woman and dealing with builders, but you showed this to be untrue.

The quality, care, attention and professionalism your company showed in all aspects of the job is a remarkable quality and has made all of my dealings with Canny friendly and easy.

Through the design stage your team provided very practical ideas and tailored the new house to the needs of my busy & growing family.

Just before Christmas we moved in to our home 15 days ahead of schedule and were able to spend the Christmas break in our new home Everyone who has been to see us have been amazed at the outcome of the house and cannot believe how easy it was for us.

Thanks Again,

The Richardson Family

Caroline and Craig Wallace
Hawthorn, 3122

27th August 2004

Dear Damian, John and Ali and the team at Canny

We are writing to thank you for our stunning home. We are delighted with the final result and I have intended to write for some time and acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of all those involved with the renovation of our home.

We have been too busy enjoying, and entertaining in, our new home!!

After months of getting nowhere with other plans and builders, Damian offered a light at the end of the tunnel. We visited a Canny open home in Alexander Ave Canterbury, loved what we saw and within weeks of discussions, visits to other Canny homes and negotiations we were signed up and ready to go.

Craig and I were very impressed with the speed with which the renovations progressed. We rented a house in the same street and felt very satisfied seeing many tradesmen on site as we went of to work. We appreciated the work being completed on the exact contract date and are aware of the huge effort of all those involved with the final hectic weeks. Thanks especially to Mark the site foreman for his time and effort. Friends and family, especially those who have renovated, have marveled at how much was achieved in such a short space of time.

The standard of the work was excellent. Attention to detail and quality is reflected in superior look and finish of items such as the joinery, tiling etc. Quality control and attention to detail has continued after we moved in and we thank you for your support.

The Victorian character and charm of our home has been dramatically improved and enhanced. The few variations we had to the contract were handled promptly with professional advice and negotiation. We were especially pleased with visual improvement to the front of the house. Our neighbors are delighted with the vastly improved streetscape.

The project has been a positive experience, even though this is the last time we are ever doing it! Craig and I have valued your friendly and committed service and complement you on your choice of staff and trades people. Please pass on our regards to Mark especially.

The renovation to our home has exceeded our expectations and we love it. We believe that you have delivered what you said you would, and that is a beautifully crafted, high standard home, on time and on budget.

Yours sincerely

Caroline and Craig Wallace

Amber and David Hobson
Glen Iris, Victoria

January 15, 2004

Dear Damian,

We feel that this in an appropriate time to write to you and everyone at Canny to thank you for providing us with our wonderful new home.
We have been here for six months now and have experienced winter, spring, and so far a very hot summer. You designed our house in such a way that we are warm in winter, cool in summer and completely comfortable in between!

Our friends, family and neighbours continue to comment on our design, choice of colours, landscaping and overall look of the house. They can’t believe it when we tell them that we can take none of the credit and that they were all your ideas! The fact that we are in a heritage listed area means that we have this wonderful, traditional house on the outside, and a contemporary streamlined design on the inside.

Another topic of conversation at our dinner parties is the fact that you not only finished on time, but ahead of schedule. We were fortunate enough to be renting in the area, and every time we either walked or drove past there seemed to be an army of people here working furiously.
This made us feel so secure and confident to know that we had the absolute best working for us.

What has impressed us most though is the follow up that you have provided. You have the perfect balance of a professional unit that is a family company. Your staff are the friendliest I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

We wish you all a very prosperous 2004 with many new projects coming your way. You certainly deserve the success you have so far achieved.

Yours Sincerely,

Amber and David Hobson.

Steven and Kristina Moustakas
57 Alexandra Avenue, Canterbury

Dear Damian,

It has been around three months since we moved into our "Canny" home and we want to tell you how much we are enjoying living here and that we are absolutely delighted with the house.

Since returning to Australia from the States about a year ago, we had been looking for a home that had both character and that preferably did not need to be remodeled. Having lived through several remodels, we were not interested in traveling down that path again.

Then we chanced upon the Canny Edwardian home in Canterbury. This Canny home perfectly met both our objectives in that it retained the character and original style frontage yet had been completely renovated, including a lovely modern extension with quality finishes throughout.

When we heard about the Canny reputation, our decision was made for us. Locals and neighbors familiar with your work all provided glowing recommendations and references.

We appreciate the quality and professionalism paid to the extras we requested and are thankful for the care and attention paid by your team in repairing or resolving the odd problem both quickly and effectively since we have moved in. Each and every team member and/or tradesman has been responsive, professional and enjoyable to work with.

We love every aspect of design and the quality workmanship, and greatly appreciated the exceptional level of project management and customer relations provided.

We both are extremely satisfied with our Canny home and would recommend Canny and use them again in the future.

Steven and Kristina Moustak

Tom & Deborah Dear,
5 Clive Road, Hawthorn East

Dear Damian,

It has been around six weeks since we moved into our "Canny" home and we want to tell you how much we are enjoying living here and that we are absolutely delighted with the house.

As you know we have a good friend in the building business and when visiting recently he commented on the quality construction and workmanship. I think that comment speaks volumes for the work that Canny completes. The whole project from purchase of the property, planning and construction was all completed on time, on budget and completely hustle free - a great achievement and a credit to the Canny team.

We are also very thankful for the attention of your team in fixing the odd problem both quickly and effectively since we have moved in.

Canny can be very proud of their work and professional approach in an industry renowned for it's share of rogues and we would not hesitate to recommend your company for construction and renovation of quality heritage homes. In fact, when a mate returns from the UK, I'm sure you'll be hearing from him for a job similar to our own.

Best wishes for the future.

Tom & Deborah Dear

Andrew & Penny Emmett
6 Alma Road, Camberwell

Dear Damian,

I am writing to you to express our appreciation for the work you achieved at our house in Alma Rd, Camberwell. The thought of purchasing a property before works were complete was initially daunting to us, and we must admit we approached the deal with some caution.

However, after our initial meetings with you, our concerns were allayed and we could not be happier with the outcome.

The Canny team clearly has an unmistakable eye for every aspect of design and quality workmanship, and the project management and customer relation’s skills you showed were exceptional. You and your team have delivered a project beyond our highest expectations in the most professional and efficient manner, If only all residential property development projects were this easy!!

Thanks again and all the best in your future endeavors.

Andrew & Penny Emmett

Fraser Brown, Surrey Hills

Canny renovated and totally reconstructed our home in Surrey Hills. The original home an 1890's Italianette villa was in total disrepair when we purchased it. We had previously been at an auction where Canny had renovated the home and we were impressed with the work that had been done.

Damian Canny first provided some very practical ideas to adjust a plan that we had drawn, to which end we agreed with all of his ideas. I am very aware of the pitfalls that can be encountered when engaging a builder, as we had previously built homes. I found Damian and his supervisor Daryl to be very upfront and transparent in all aspects of the construction. I did not expect the job to run as smoothly without interruption or serious argument.

We liked their general standards and finish and agreed to it and they adhered to it. Both my wife and myself feel extremely satisfied with the end result we would definitely recommend Canny and use them again in the future.

Yours sincerely

Fraser Brown

Dr Jason Dann, 1 Garden Street, Hawthorn East

To whom it may concern

Several years ago, my wife and I had been looking in the Hawthorn/Camberwell area to set up our family home. Whilst we were viewing houses for sale, we came across a house, which had been renovated by Canny in Hawthorn East. We were very impressed with the concept of retaining the original style frontage yet modernizing the extension, and also with the quality of the finish.
When we eventually purchased in Garden Street, Hawthorn East we had Canny in mind to do our extension. A year later when we were ready to renovate, we contacted Damian Canny from Canny. The plan Damian came up with to add a large family room and study to the existing 1920's frontage, plus a second storey addition with an open plan master bedroom, WIR, ensuite and extensive balcony with panoramic city views was exactly what we were looking for.

Whenever one renovates there is always a slight doubt that your expectations are too great and that your visual concept will not be compatible with the end product, which can lead to disappointment. We can truly say that our expectations have definitely been met and that the renovation has materialized as we had imagined.

We are very pleased with the final product and quality of finish and have found Damian and the staff at Canny very helpful and willing to do whatever it takes to make our house look as good as possible.

We are thoroughly enjoying our new home and would recommend Canny to anyone looking to renovate.

Yours faithfully

Dr Jason Dann

MALING PRECINCT PROTECTION GROUP
Claremont Crescent, Canterbury

Dear Damian,

Since first speaking to you, our group has watched with interest the work that your development company has been undertaking in our area. Our attention was initially drawn to the property you purchased, restored, developed and re-sold in Scott Street, Canterbury. This late Victorian timber cottage had seemed almost beyond help having been "modernized" in the fifties with cladding, aluminum windows etc., and the neighborhood was delighted when work commenced and this house - in a prime position - was restored to something akin to its original look and enlarged to meet today's standards.

Having then made a point of following some of your other projects, I can say that our group is pleased to have your company working in our area. Your philosophy of restoring and improving rather than demolishing and rebuilding is welcomed and we are prepared to encourage and support your efforts where we can.

Over the past seven years, The MPPG has vigorously opposed many inappropriate developments both at Council and VCAT level. We have had successes, part- success and failure but in all cases we are prepared to fight to preserve our heritage and our neighborhood character. We keep in touch with Council Planning Departments, the Save Our Suburbs Group and changes to Planning Law. One of our members is a lawyer specializing in Planning and his knowledge is of great benefit. We do not always see eye to eye with Council, especially with their heritage advisors, but overall we have a good relationship with them.

We invite you to keep us informed of new developments that you may be undertaking in the Maling precinct - and further a field - and we would be willing to consider your plans and support your submissions to Council if appropriate.

The Group's philosophy is not to oppose good development, only inappropriate development. This includes the view that houses that represent an era or form part of the evolution of housing within an area and are reasonably sound and restorable should not be demolished and replaced with something new purely for commercial gain. Your Company appears to share this view and accordingly, lam writing on behalf of the Committee and the residents we represent to endorse your style of development.

Yours sincerely,

Lorri Buttner,
Chairman,

Maling Precinct Protection Group