Testimonials

Stu and Chris and the whole Fortem team were brilliant, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking to create a bespoke home.

They transformed our home from a tired double fronted Victorian home to a gorgeous private gallery home that accommodates our family needs alongside an extensive contemporary art collection.

From the initial conversation and pre-build planning right through to construction and completion, Fortem impressed me with their attention to detail and meticulous planning, the quality of the workmanship and their ingenuity in problem solving as challenges arose on site. All of the subcontractors they used were excellent and Fortem took full ownership of coordinating the trades and ensuring that the project stayed on track.

They hadn’t worked with my architect team before and quickly built a strong relationship with them founded on trust and professional respect, communicating openly and transparently and working through issues efficiently and proactively. Fortem’s experience in renovating Victorian homes and incorporating modern amenities was incredibly valuable, giving them unique insights into how to execute technical solutions. Their willingness to work collaboratively with my architect and me throughout the project made it feel like we were a single cohesive team.

Fortem were exceptional to work with and achieved a slew of miracles with a casual ease – from creating plastered curves inside curves and bookending stone slabs with wild precision to designing a custom steel shelf for a marble sculpture and craning planters and furniture onto the rooftop terrace – they made the impossible melt away. And despite several unanticipated setbacks, they managed to deliver the house on schedule – an extraordinary feat. I will be forever grateful to the team for bringing our home to life.

As the architect for the renovation and extension at Number 62 Rose Street, I want to express our sincere admiration for Fortem’s approach and execution throughout what turned out to be a particularly challenging project. We believe that successful outcomes are only achieved through a strong collaboration between the client, architect, and builder. Fortem did not merely follow the documentation; they thoughtfully questioned various design elements, contributing to the nuanced and sensitive final outcome. Their experience with homes of this period was evident and played a significant role in this.

We greatly appreciated Fortem’s communication throughout the build. Their clear, proactive, and efficient communication strategies, including the effective use of Procore, were crucial. They were courteous, prompt, and considerate, minimizing uncertainties and navigating challenges so we could concentrate on the finer details of the project.

The final result is a testament to Fortem’s skill, professionalism, and dedication. We extend our gratitude to  everyone involved behind the scenes for their hard work, insightful contributions, and unwavering commitment to delivering a high-quality outcome.

The biggest benefit of working with Fortem was the exceptional quality of the build — the level of finish was far superior to other builders we’ve seen. Their service is both personalised and professional, and the team is highly approachable with deep knowledge of heritage homes.

We had direct access to the directors and their impressive site team, who provided ongoing advice and thoughtful recommendations throughout the project. Fortem takes on a manageable number of projects, which means every client receives the attention and service they deserve.

Fortem Projects honoured the history and features of my home as specialists in restorations of old homes such as mine. They addressed the fact that homes back then weren’t properly insulated and carefully reconstructed the rooms to maximize warmth and comfort in the home. The hallway with its arch was craftily removed and then returned during this process. It was really important to me that I keep as much as possible the original features of my home.

Another major goal of the renovation was to create an open plan living, dining and kitchen which old homes did not have. I wanted the old meets new sections to seamlessly blend too. I’m so thrilled with the final result. I have a generous stunning kitchen, large dining and sunken lounge all looking out to a new pool as well.

We couldn’t be happier with our dream home, which was recently completed by the wonderful team at Fortem Projects.  It was a big decision for us to proceed with this project and we can say with complete confidence that we selected the right people for the job.

From the outset, Fortem Projects kept us fully informed about all aspects of the build and demonstrated a level of transparency that gave us peace of mind and confidence in their ability.

Our site manager, Tadhg, treated our home as if it was his own and ensured that the quality of the workmanship was second to none.  He and Stuart demonstrated a remarkable ability to problem solve and, on many occasions, anticipated problems before they arose, which undoubtedly saved us time and money and avoided any unnecessary stress.  Their attention to detail and pride in the project was obvious to us from day one.

We are immensely grateful to the entire team at Fortem Projects for their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to excellence. We have a home that we absolutely love and are incredibly proud of.

Great communication, commitment to execution and design detail were the standout characteristics when working on this project. Time management and programming was paramount and a high level of professionalism was implemented when working through any challenges that arose on site throughout construction. 

Communication from Fortem and the delivery of program to all parties was exceptional. Procore, meetings and phone calls were always conducted professionally and covered up to date elements of the project.

The Fortem team are highly organised, accountable and professional. A friendly caring team that navigates all aspects of a new build smoothly and efficiently. We would recommend the team and hope to work with them on future projects. 

The project delivered ahead of schedule, and a high level of finish was achieved throughout the project. Equal levels of care were attributed to the restoration works as was the contemporary addition. Fortem Projects coordinated all aspects of the project from landscaping and pool to window furnishings. This ensured a smooth and coordinated project where design details were thoughtfully considered. We look forward to continuing our working relationship with Fortem.

The communication from Fortem was exceptional throughout our build. As we lived off-site during construction, we relied on email and phone updates from Chris and Stuart, and always felt we knew what was happening on our project. Their Procore system also allowed us to stay up to date with everything that was happening and meant we didn’t feel the need to visit our home constantly during the build.

We found the Fortem team to be friendly, professional and ready to go above and beyond to bring our design to life. We would recommend them to anyone looking to undertake a heritage restoration or extension.

Fortem Projects have been fabulous on all fronts. Not only have they succeeded in managing a somewhat challenging project which is sympathetic to the original Victorian bones of the house, but they have constructed a home that is also modern and clean with the capacity to make it live again.

All of the challenges faced along the way have been transparently and effectively handled. I am delighted with their work and look forward to living in the house for many years.

Fortem knew the job inside out, brought a commercial mind to managing all the details and always delivered a resolution.

Their online App, Procore, was also a huge bonus for both us and the client. It kept everyone updated in real time on how each stage of the renovation was progressing and ensured any drawings made on site were executed accurately and efficiently. They were also just really good people to work with.

We felt confident from when we first met with Fortem that they would deliver an outstanding outcome and that we would have a positive experience. They were focused on delivering an exceptional service with a strong pursuit of quality throughout the entire project. Consequently, we created a strong partnership and had a mutual respect from start to finish.

We worked in close collaboration with the Fortem team and found that they took a meticulous and methodical approach, throughout the whole process. When/if challenged by situations they applied innovative and practical strategies to find a solution. In addition, their keen eye for detail ensured that they created a luxury and functional bespoke home for us.

We are delighted with our newly renovated house and would highly recommend Fortem, as it was a harmonious experience and the work was to the highest calibre. As first time renovators the project definitely surpassed our expectations and we look forward to renovating with Fortem again!

Both Chris and Stuart were always in close communication, and we felt that any issue that arose was dealt with in a professional and timely manner.

We renovated an inner city site, and all the Fortem staff were kind to our neighbours which helped created a seamless experience for us and the neighbourhood.

We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome and look forward to building with them again when the time comes.

Both Stuart and Chris understood the level of care required with high end architectural projects and ensured both our team and client were updated and engaged at every step of the way. Their strength in bringing our architectural design to life, realising our client’s vision and dream renovation was invaluable.

This is demonstrated in the installation of new windows and doors, reinstating the fireplace and the extensive work required to keep the chimney and create internal archways. Many specialist finishes and fittings were installed, and careful coordination required between old and new components. Fortem projects were diligent with their communication and project delivery during a very difficult period being the COVID 19 pandemic. The high level of finish and craftsmanship, attention to detail, in both the restoration and alteration of this heritage home, and in the new addition is to be commended and is a testament to their team. 

We purchased the house in 2019 with the view of undertaking a total renovation overhaul.  We wished to change the beautiful old Victorian into a family home, by opening up the living area floor space & adding additional rooms and bathrooms.  We wished to pay homage to the era of the beautiful Victorian architecture whilst modernizing it to align with todays living style. 

We were hoping to find an architect and builder that could do this in a sympathetic way – highlighting & embracing the features of the home.  

We were happy to assign Fortem to the project, as they were a team who collectively had worked on heritage homes both locally and overseas, and enjoyed being involved in ‘resurrecting’ period houses.  

We are very happy with the final result.

The renovation aimed to expand the main bedroom and bathroom, previously limited by planning restrictions, and add privacy due to a new construction nearby. The outcome included a larger, light-filled bedroom, a spacious ensuite, and a rear garage with a rooftop garden for privacy and outdoor enjoyment. Fortem completed the project ahead of schedule, with excellent workmanship and careful attention to detail. The on-site supervisor effectively managed neighbor relations, and expert scheduling and improvement recommendations enhanced the project. The collaborative effort between architects and builders resulted in a refreshed home, achieving the goals with minimal stress. The homeowner is extremely satisfied and recommends Fortem and Bower enthusiastically.

From the moment I met Chris and Stuart, I felt instantly at ease and had complete confidence in their ability. Their broader Fortem team were brilliant too. No dramas, no nasty surprises and excellent communication. Even after the job was complete, they’re still responsive to any small queries.

If you’re after expertise, attention to detail and a team that go above and beyond, then I cannot recommend the Fortem team highly enough.

We were pleased to recommend Fortem to our family members, one of whom engaged Fortem for their own renovation. We would highly recommend this professional team and have complete satisfaction with the final product.

Following bad previous experiences with other builders, Fortem Projects have showed us it is possible to have a professional, high-quality building experience. Recommended by a family member, we were in good hands the entire time and felt consistently reassured by their commitment to quality work.