About Us
A solid foundation
NIVEN BUILDERS is a full service Custom Home Designer Builder and Renovator dedicated to building and improving residential and commercial structures according to client needs and desires. Founded in 1988 and based in Arthurs Seat, our team of professionals are ready to give your space whatever updates it requires.
We will be with you every step of the process, from taking care of permits to helping clients finalize decisions. We’re committed to helping you get the space you’ve always wanted. Just hit the "get in touch" button to see how we can help
I love to Travel
I especially enjoy travelling with my wife, family and friends to new and exciting places. These trips have not only opened my eyes to the beautiful variety of customs and cultures in the world but also exposed me to some very innovative building techniques both old and new and we have travelled through England, Wales, France, Germany Belgium , Luxembourg Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Vanuatu, Malaysia and of course the old favorite Bali
I love the sea
Dad was a WW2 Navy Veteran who served in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and then finally in the Pacific.
In fact he was stationed in Sydney on the Finger Wharf and it was then that he fell in love with Australia.
It took him 20 years before he was able to bring us all here.
We always had a boat and we sailed and motored and fished every chance he got
I have an old boat myself and love sailing my around Westernport Bay and Phillip Island
The Early Years
When I was at school, I had a strong interest in the arts particularly music - playing saxophone, clarinet and guitar and playing in local theatre companies. I totally believed that this was the course I was to set out on.
When I announced to my parents that decided to leave school, I was told that "You can have two weeks break and then you will have to get a job to support yourself"
Well it is pretty hard to become an actor and professional musician in 2 weeks so I set out knocking on every door in the town without exception looking for work.
I had learned from my parents - Things do not happen by chance, you must put yourself out there to succeed, you have to make it happen.
It was 1981 and the country was in full blown recession.
On one of the days of job hunting I dropped into a large building development site and asked if there were any labouring jobs. The next morning the builder was knocking on my door saying "come on down we've got some work for you "- the rest is history
I laboured for a year, landscaping, sweeping even "cleaning the lake" doing trade assistant work with the different subbies on the site.
I came to enjoy the physical outdoor lifestyle, the camaraderie of working with a team to a common goal and the learning and so I applied for an apprenticeship as a carpenter and was accepted.
I had lots to learn so threw myself into learning new skills with a passion and received the Apprentice of the Year Award
Working with "Knowles Brothers" taught me to not just to work had but to work smart.
(A big shout out of thanks to Russel, Graham and John Knowles).
Even now when I'm doing a task, I often recall the training I received working with one of the most successful building companies in the Australia
On completion of my apprenticeship I set out as a subcontractor with my brother-in-law Doug who was already an experienced tradesman and we worked together right up until the next recession of late 80s and early 90s.
As the recession dragged on Doug with his young family moved up to Northern Territory to do contract maintenance work.
I on the other hand with my wife and newborn, set out to become a registered builder and start my own building company It was incredibly tough time.
Experience from Tough Times
It was 1981 and the country was in a full-blown recession
On one of the days of job hunting I dropped into a large building development site and asked if there were any labouring jobs
The next morning the builder was knocking on my door saying "come on down we've got some work for you "- the rest is history
I laboured for a year, landscaping, sweeping even "cleaning the lake" doing trade assistant work with the different subbies on the site
I came to enjoy the physical outdoor lifestyle, the camaraderie of working with a team to a common goal and the learning and so I applied for an apprenticeship as a carpenter and was accepted
I had lots to learn so threw myself into learning new skills with a passion and received the Apprentice of the Year Award
Working with "Knowles Brothers" taught me to not just to work had but to work smart.
(A big shout out of thanks to Russel, Graham and John Knowles)
Even now when I'm doing a task, I often recall the training I received working with one of the most successful building companies in the Australia
On completion of my apprenticeship I set out as a subcontractor with my brother-in-law Doug who was already an experienced tradesman and we worked together right up until the next recession of late 80s and early 90s
As the recession dragged on Doug with his young family moved up to Northern Territory to do contract maintenance work
I on the other hand with my wife and newborn, set out to become a registered builder and start my own building company It was incredibly tough time
PASSIVHAUS
Quality Control
Some time ago I was approached by a prospective client to build using the German system Passivhaus - At the time I had no idea what it was, but with a little investigation I could immediately see the value.
The current regulated 6 STAR energy rating system used in most buildings today is heavily flawed. It is often delivering hot and stuffy homes, The Germans as usual have come up with a way of making things just work with Passivhaus.
I immediately enrolled in the internationally recognised course and passed the rigorous exams for Passivhaus tradesman and for Passivhaus consultant (designer)
All our clients now benefit from our clear understanding of how to build healthier, more comfortable homes.
Team Excellence
A team member said to me the other day that the reason he works for us is that we have such a great body of work and we let them do the job properly.
I’m proud to surrounded by a loyal happy skilled team that includes my own son Cary.
I’m blessed to building and renovating and remodelling awesome homes on the Mornington Peninsula
And because of the way we conduct our business I love that I can meet a client in the street, and its warm smiles and probably even a coffee or wine together.
So, if you are thinking of building but are naturally fearful about
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The job not being done properly
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The budget and timeline blowing out
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Having to deal with non-communicating tradesmen
Then fill in our contact form on our website and arrange a free 45-minute face to face consultation with me and I will show you the steps needed to make your project the success you are now just dreaming of
Peter Niven