Can we live in the house during the renovation?

Often, yes. A lot of my work is live-in. It's slower and it takes planning, because the work has to be staged around you. I'll keep a working kitchen and bathroom available for as long as physically possible, and I'll be straight with you about which weeks are going to be genuinely unpleasant.

How far ahead are you booked?

It varies through the year, and I'd rather give you a real answer than a sales one. I take on a limited number of projects at a time, which means there's sometimes a wait. Call me and I'll tell you honestly where the calendar sits and whether your timeframe is realistic.

Will you work with our architect or building designer?

Happily. I work with architects and building designers regularly, and I'd rather be involved early than be handed a set of drawings and asked to price them. Coming in during design often means a cheaper build, because I can flag what's expensive and suggest a different detail that achieves the same thing.

Do you handle permits and council approvals?

Yes. Building permits, structural engineering, and the surveyor inspections through the job are all organised and coordinated by me. You don't need to chase paperwork or manage the process yourself.

Do you supply the kitchen and bathroom fixtures?

Either way works. Some clients like choosing their own tapware and tiles, and I'll fit them. Others would rather I sourced it all, which is often simpler and means there's one point of responsibility if something arrives damaged or wrong.

What areas do you work in?

I'm based in East Geelong and build across Geelong and the surrounding suburbs. That includes Newtown, Geelong West, Highton, Manifold Heights, South Geelong, Belmont, Wandana Heights and Hamlyn Heights, plus the Bellarine and Surf Coast, including Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Torquay, Drysdale and Leopold.

What budget should we be planning for?

I take on work from around $40,000 right up to the larger projects I specialise in, which sit around the $500,000 mark. So there's no minimum you need to clear before calling. Tell me what you're hoping to achieve and what you're working with, and I'll give you a straight answer on whether it's realistic and what it takes.

East Geelong · Residential Builder

Quality Residential Builder in Geelong

Morrissey Built specialises in serious residential renovations and extensions for homeowners who know what they want. Honest advice, straight answers, and quality work.

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Talk to Ben himself. A straight answer within a couple of working days.

RegisteredDB-L Builder, Victoria

East GeelongBased & working local

ResidentialRenovations & extensions

5.0Google reviews

Who is Morrissey Built

Honest building for people who want it done right.

Morrissey Built isn't the cheapest builder in Geelong, and it was never meant to be. I'm not a volume builder. I run a smaller number of projects at a time so every one gets proper attention.

What that means for you is simple: honest advice on where your money is best spent in a renovation, and where it's worth saving. You get the best result your budget can actually deliver, not the most expensive one. That's the whole idea.

"I do the job right even if it comes at a cost to me. You can't buy those values, and they're the reason you can trust what I tell you about your project."
Ben Morrissey

More about Ben and how he works

What we do

Residential work, done properly

Six areas of work, all handled in-house to the same standard of care, across Geelong, East Geelong, South Geelong, Newtown, Geelong West, Highton and the surrounding suburbs.

Extensive Renovations

Full-home and substantial renovations, sequenced properly so the work flows and you stay sane while you live through it.

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Bathrooms

Bathroom builds with waterproofing done to standard and a finish that holds up for a generation, not a year.

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Kitchens

Kitchens built around how you actually cook and live, with quality cabinetry and finishes that work as hard as you do.

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Laundry

Practical, hard-wearing laundry spaces with quality waterproofing and storage designed around how you use it.

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Garages

Garages built solid on a proper slab, detached, integrated or double, with a roof that stays straight.

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Carports

Carports that protect your car and suit your home, with solid posts, straight roofline and drainage that works.

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Why Morrissey Built

What a serious renovation actually needs

If you're about to spend a large amount of your home's equity on a build, you deserve more than a good price. You deserve a builder who treats the job like his own.

Honest budget advice

I take on projects from around $40,000 up to the larger jobs I specialise in, which sit around the $500,000 mark. Wherever your budget lands, I'll tell you where to spend and where to save. Some upgrades are worth every dollar; some are wasted. You'll know the difference.

Registered & accountable

A fully registered Victorian builder. Your contract, your insurance, your guarantees, all in place and in my name.

Direct access to Ben

You deal with the owner, not a salesperson and a construction manager in different time zones. One call, straight answers.

Fewer projects, more care

I take on a limited number of projects at a time. Your build gets the attention it needs, not the leftover energy of a volume builder.

Local knowledge

I know Geelong's homes and its suburbs: Newtown, Geelong West, Highton, the Bellarine. I know these houses and what they need.

Control over quality

Fewer subcontractor surprises. I oversee the work closely and hold the finish to account from start to handover.

Behind every job

A team of fully qualified tradies, not whoever's free.

I don't run a labour pool. Every trade on a Morrissey Built job, electrical, plumbing, plastering, tiling, steel and concrete, is a licensed professional I use job after job because I trust their work. That's what's actually backing the build, not just my name on the contract.

Our work

Recent work across Geelong

A few shots from jobs we've had on recently: the work as it happens, and how it finishes.

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A Morrissey Built work ute outside a finished Geelong renovation at sunset

A completed Morrissey Built home in Geelong with a timber gate and gravel driveway

A glass roof structure being installed on a Geelong home by Morrissey Built

Instagram

Follow along on the jobs.

The work as it happens, posted straight from the site.

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What clients say

Straight from Geelong homeowners

"Absolutely fantastic team to work with. Ben is very communicative, takes immense pride in his work and has exceptional attention to detail. The whole project from start to finish was delivered on time, on budget and with outstanding care. Can not recommend Morrissey Built more highly!"

Georgie

Reviewed on Google

"I don't normally do reviews but we have been so impressed with Ben and his team and hope that by sharing our experience someone else will be as grateful to find Ben as we are. We found Ben via a recommendation and from start to finish Ben's work ethic never changed. He delivered a truly professional build, delivery quality every step of the way and finished in the time frame promised. Not only was the team brilliant at the trade but very considerate of being in our home which is something I think everyone is very appreciative of, when looking to employee people you don't know. Great experience for us and a quality build we will enjoy as a family for many years to come."

Bernadette

Reviewed on Google

"Ben was easily the best builder I dealt with while planning an extension on the back of my house. I had about five different builders come out. Some gave basic advice that didn't really address what I needed, some didn't return calls, and others kept putting me off or treating the job like a second priority. Ben stood out straight away. He took the time to actually understand what I was trying to achieve and offered a much better approach than anyone else. He also pointed me in the right direction with both an architect and a draftsperson, explaining clearly a budget-friendly option while still delivering similar results. Genuine, knowledgeable, and very helpful, he gave me the kind of advice I was actually looking for. Highly recommend."

Bow

Reviewed on Google

"Exceptional workmanship and professionalism. We couldn't be more impressed with the quality of work delivered. Ben demonstrated attention to detail, maintained a highly professional approach, and works efficiently without ever compromising on standards. Every aspect of the job was completed with care, precision, and a clear commitment to excellence. I would confidently recommend Morrissey Built's services to anyone seeking high-quality workmanship and a stress-free experience."

Caroline

Reviewed on Google

"It was a pleasure to work with Ben on multiple projects in the Geelong area. Including East Geelong and the Bellarine. Ben showed his keen eye for details on multiple renovation projects for me including but not limited to, Kitchen, bathroom, laundry and general internal works. Also was skilled at outdoor construcion work like decking, pergolas, carports and garages. Ben in the East Geelong area and some neighbouring Geelong suburbs also completed extension projects which included framing and cladding works. Thanks Mitch."

Mitch

Reviewed on Google

"I highly recommend Ben from Morrissey Built. He did an excellent job on my side and front fences and has also helped with many aspects of my extensive home renovation, including the bathroom and laundry. The finish, workmanship and attention to detail have been first class. Ben is a quality, trustworthy and reliable builder who clearly takes pride in delivering high-standard work. What has impressed me just as much is his ongoing support throughout my renovation. He has been generous with his technical knowledge, practical advice and professional guidance, which has helped me enormously. It is clear he genuinely cares about quality outcomes and not just getting the job done quickly. If you are looking for a licensed builder in East Geelong or the wider Geelong area, I would strongly recommend Morrissey Built. Ben delivers quality residential renovations, bathroom and laundry renovations, and detail-driven building work with a high level of professionalism and care. He is a trustworthy and reliable builder who genuinely wants a great result for his clients."

Paul

Reviewed on Google

Before you enquire

The questions serious clients ask first.

If you're planning a significant renovation or build in Geelong, these are usually the things you want settled before you start ringing builders. Here they are, answered plainly.

Yes, wherever the scope allows it. Once the drawings and selections are settled I'd rather commit to a figure than hand you an open-ended hourly rate. On a renovation you can't always know what's behind a wall until you open it, so where there's genuine unknown, I'll tell you that up front and put an allowance against it rather than pretending the risk isn't there.

Still got a question?

Call Ben directly, or see the contact details if you would rather email. Either way, a straight question gets a straight answer without a sales pitch.

0402 361 309 Start Your Project

Takes a few minutes. No obligation.

Start your project

Got a serious project in mind? Let's talk.

I take on a limited number of projects at a time, so the more you can tell me now, the quicker I can give you a meaningful response. Tell me about your project and I'll be in touch personally.

Start Your Project 0402 361 309

Based in East Geelong and building across Newtown, Geelong West, Highton, Manifold Heights, South Geelong and the Bellarine, including Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove.