MATES ARE RISING STARS

Mates since school, Dale Hobley and Karl Howard, both 34, have made a success of a building company they founded in 2004.

H2 Homes won the inaugural Rising Star Award at the Master Builders awards at Crown Plaza Royal Pines Resort.

The award recognised a builder that has been licensed for less than seven years.

Mr Hobley and Mr Howard attended school together, played basketball for the same team at Labrador and decided to form a business after going to builder's college at the same time.

"We were going down the same path and decided to go into something together," said Mr Hobley.

The builders, who take a hands-on approach to each project, said the quality of their finishes gave them an edge in the marketplace.

"I was taught about high standards by a strict builder in Dennis Beck," said Mr Hobley.

"We do one-off designs for architects and designers, and our quality of finishes is second to none.

"We build a relationship with our clients to make sure they are happy with everything we do and nothing is too hard."

H2 Homes' projects are spread across the Coast from Arundel to Robina, Guanaba to Royal Pines, to name a few.

Today the builders' wives, Karla Hobley and Kristy Howard, are part of their business, Karla doing the accounts and Kristy marketing.

"This way we can maintain our standards," said Mr Hobley.

Master Builders Gold Coast region manager John Duncalfe said H2 Homes brought an energetic and fresh approach to building, working closely with their clients to ensure the individual needs of the client were met.

"Close supervision of trades on site ensures that the quality of the home and attention to detail is paramount," said Mr Hobley.