Building with Excellence: An Interview with Matt Menichelli

Helping Australians Build Better

Bowens recently had the opportunity to interview Matt Menichelli, Bowens Brand Ambassador and owner of Elevate Building Group.

Matt’s journey began as an Industrial Design student, but his passion led him away from the classroom and towards the hands-on approach of a carpenter in the building industry.

Embracing a hands-on approach, he thrived in this industry, and after nine years, his company Elevate Building Group, has garnered numerous accolades. Notably, they were awarded the prestigious title of Best Custom Home in their category at the Master Builder Awards in 2022.

How did you first begin your career as a carpenter?

I guess I always had an interest in construction and work during my school years. I even spent six months at university studying industrial design, but it didn’t quite stick. I wanted to solve problems and create tangible solutions, so I decided to take a handson approach and become a carpenter. It was a natural fit for my aspirations in the property market and the development industry. Starting as a carpenter and eventually becoming a builder allowed me to work closely with designers and experience a diverse range of projects.

“I wanted to solve problems and create tangible solutions, so I decided to take a handson approach and become a carpenter.”

It has been a fulfilling journey that has worked out quite well.

How did Elevate Building Group become a successful company?

 

I believe our success can be attributed to persistence and passion. We have always been committed to our work and have shown a genuine enthusiasm for what we do. While the journey hasn’t been easy and we’ve faced many challenges along the way, we have always had faith that our hard work and dedication would lead to opportunities. We strive to maintain transparency and a strong work ethic, earning the respect of our peers and clients. Our success is a result of our passion and the trust we have built in the industry.

“While the journey hasn’t been easy and we’ve faced many challenges along the way, we have always had faith that our hard work and dedication would lead to opportunities.”

What has been the biggest highlight for your company?

Over the past couple of years, we have experienced significant growth as a company. One of the highlights has been witnessing the progression of our team. My first and second apprentices, who have been with us for eight and nine years respectively, have been promoted to site supervisors and leading hands. They are now running their own projects from start to finish and mentoring younger apprentices. Seeing this cycle of growth and development is truly exciting and rewarding. It shows that our hard work and dedication are paying off, enabling us to take on multiple projects simultaneously.

“My first and second apprentices, who have been with us for eight and nine years respectively, have been promoted to site supervisors and leading hands.”

You’ve been featured on The Block. How was that experience for you?

We have participated in The Block for four seasons, appearing every second year for the past eight years. It all started with a cold phone call while I was working on a project in Mitcham. I agreed to help out a team renovating the first challenge of the series. Within a couple of hours, I packed up my job site and found myself on set, mic’d up with a camera in my face for the first episode. It was a sink-or-swim scenario, and I ended up working through the night and into the following day, totalling about 36 straight hours. That was just the beginning. I committed to the full 12 weeks of that season, and although it came unexpectedly, it has been a lifechanging experience. The show taught me valuable skills in time management, business, and handling pressure in stressful situations. It has been one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it has also brought personal growth and fulfillment. It’s an incredible opportunity.

“The show taught me valuable skills in time management, business, and handling pressure in stressful situations.”

You have a great account manager in Daniel Devine. How would you summarise your relationship with him?

In a nutshell, Daniel has been excellent. His responsiveness is the most significant aspect of our relationship. He is highly proactive and understands the urgency of our requests, even when we reach out on short notice. Daniel always manages to respond in a timely manner and goes the extra mile to remind me of pending tasks or follow-ups when I may have been slack in my responses. While he is officially our accounts manager with Bowens, I see him as an extension of our business. Aligning ourselves with Daniel has made our procurement of materials much easier than it would be otherwise.

“Daniel always manages to respond in a timely manner and goes the extra mile to remind me of pending tasks or follow-ups when I may have been slack in my responses.”

Have there been any innovative products you’ve come across that you would recommend?

Efficiency is a top priority for us, especially with our full-time team of carpenters. The more we can handle within our carpentry scope of work, the better control we have. One standout product we’ve used in the past few years, and will continue to use, is called Dincel. It’s designed for below-ground construction, such as basements and retaining walls. The key advantage is its lightweight nature, allowing carpenters to install it instead of relying on bricklayers. It’s a structural wall that gets the core filled with concrete. Using Dincel enables us to keep the labour in-house and have complete control over the schedule. Its weight also makes it easier to handle during earthworks and provides better access compared to traditional bricks or blocks. It’s a game-changer in terms of buildability for what would otherwise be a difficult and stressful aspect of construction.

“One standout product we’ve used in the past few years, and will continue to use, is called Dincel. It’s designed for below-ground construction, such as basements and retaining walls.”

Which project stands out as the most significant achievement in your 9-year career?

 

Rossmoyne Home, winner of the Best Custom Home in its price category at the Master Builder Awards 2022. Photography: Spacecraf

The project I’m most proud of is the Rossmoyne project, which received an award at the Master Builders Awards last year. It was recognised as the best custom home in its price category, and the project itself was a source of great pride. However, what made it even more special was the recognition we received by being at the Master Builders awards. It had always been an ambition of mine to be associated with the best builders in Victoria and being nominated and ultimately winning was a major accomplishment and a significant milestone for our young team. Looking back at the past eight years of running the business, I consider it to be the definite highlight.

“The project I’m most proud of is the Rossmoyne project, which received an award at the Master Builders Awards last year.”