The region’s top builders take out series of prizes at the 2020 Master Builders Awards recognised for quality

Quality does not have to come with a high price tag, as proved when Poett Building Co won the best country home award at the 2020 Master Builders Great Southern Building Excellence Awards.

Poett Building Co claimed the top prize on Saturday night for a house in Willyung in the $450,000-$550,000 category.

The winning home has Australian-style verandas with an English-inspired interior featuring double-glazed windows and a designer kitchen with a spacious scullery.

Regional awards judge Charlie Baggetta said Poett showed excellent standards could be achieved without sky-high budgets.

“The cost of the winning home was in the mid-range but the work was top-tier across all the trades. I’ve never seen a better painting job than the precision and finish on this home,” he said.

“Master Builders awards are judged on quality workmanship, not price, so the top home doesn’t have to be one that costs millions

“The owners were ecstatic in their praise for the builder, Russell Poet, who was on-site from start to finish. This hands-on approach and the open communication between client and builder clearly had an impact on the results.”

Judges looked at new homes ranging from less than $200,000-$750,000 and alterations and additions priced from under $150,000 to more than $1 million.

The total value of entries this year came to more than $35m.

Smith Constructions won the best regional project award for the Oyster Harbour Lifestyle Village Clubhouse at Bayonet Head.

The clubhouse, overlooking a natural lake, was designed to be the social hub for the over-55 community.

It has a function hall, cafe, pool and gym inside, as well as an outdoor bowling green and tennis court.

“The landscaping on this project was exceptional, with native plants used extensively to blend in with the surrounding area,” Mr Baggetta said.

“Another stand-out feature was the high-quality exposed concrete and parquetry flooring.” Caiden Lionetti from Schlager Homes was named apprentice of the year.

Master Builders WA Great Southern regional manager Linda Gibbs said it was pleasing to see plenty of new entrants.

“It’s exciting to see many of the small builders get involved this year, some for the first time,” she said.