Construction Plus BUILDING LEGACY, CRAFT, AND CONNECTION IN QUEENSLAND WWW.CONSTRUCTIONPLUS.COM.AU
BUILDING LEGACY, CONNECTION IN QU CONSTRUCTION PLUS AT A GLANCE CONSTRUCTION PLUS WHAT: A well-know and respected home builder specializing in custom builds and creative designs WHERE: Brisbane, Australia WEBSITE: www.constructionplus.com.au 1 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
Y, CRAFT, AND UEENSLAND In the heart of Redlands Coast Queensland’s vibrant construction industry, Construction Plus stands as a rare blend of legacy, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking leadership. What began as a small, family-run operation under the vision of founder Leo Bax has evolved—through loyalty, respect, adaptability, and an unrelenting commitment to clients—into a bespoke home builder that embodies both tradition and innovation. 2 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
Today, Leo’s daughter Leanne Bax carries that legacy forward as the company’s director and licensed builder, shaping not only homes but also the next generation of family leadership in construction. A FOUNDATION BUILT ON RESPECT AND FAMILY VALUES “When my father started the company, everything was about respect—giving it and earning it,” Bax reflects. “That foundation has never changed.” Those early principles continue to guide Construction Plus today, anchoring a workplace that feels more like a family than a firm. Many of the company’s tradespeople and suppliers have worked with the Bax family for more than three decades—relationships that began when Leanne herself was a child. “Some of the trades have been with us since 1994,” she shares. “Their fathers worked with my dad, and now their sons are working with me. It’s very much a generational business.” That continuity—paired with mutual loyalty and commitment —has allowed Construction Plus to grow organically without losing its human touch. “We’re small, but we build big,” Bax laughs. “Our office has just four people, yet we produce 35 to 40 bespoke homes a year.” BESPOKE FROM THE GROUND UP Unlike high-volume home builders, Construction Plus takes a deeply personal approach to every project. Each build starts with a conversation, not a catalog. “When a customer comes in, they sit down with me,” Bax explains. “I listen to what they want, how they live, what matters to them. From there, I translate that story into a home design tailored entirely to their lifestyle.” The process is intimate and iterative—refining the design through back-and-forth collaboration until every detail fits. From initial concept to final handover, clients work directly with the same small team, ensuring consistency, trust, and accountability. “There’s no tiered system here,” Bax emphasizes.“The 3 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 CONSTRUCTION PLUS
people you meet at the beginning are the same ones guiding you all the way through construction.That’s part of what makes the experience so personal.” FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN A TRADITIONALLY MALE INDUSTRY Bax is proud to be both a builder and a business owner in an industry still largely dominated by men. But she’s quick to note that her approach isn’t about proving a point—it’s about precision. “Customers are often surprised when they realize I’m the builder and the supervisor,” she says. “But they appreciate it. I think women bring a special attention to detail—where some might overlook small things, we tend to focus on them. That makes a big difference to our clients.” Her style combines direct honesty with genuine care. “I’ll always be upfront with clients. If something doesn’t make sense, I’ll say so. My goal is for them to leave every meeting with full clarity—no gray areas, no surprises.” That transparency has earned Construction Plus a fiercely loyal client base. “We’ve built three, four, even five homes for some of our repeat clients,” Bax says.“We don’t advertise—everything we do is word of mouth.” NAVIGATING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES WITH STRATEGY AND GRACE Like every builder, Construction Plus faced its share of challenges during and after COVID-19—from supply chain disruptions to fluctuating costs and new building code changes. “In the last year and a half, we’ve gone through four NCC code updates,” Bax notes. “That’s a lot of adjustment for both builders and clients.” Add to that ongoing land shortages and delays in concrete supply—fueled by Queensland’s construction boom and weather disruptions—and the logistical hurdles are significant. But the company’s proactive planning has kept projects moving. “We manage time obsessively,” Bax explains. “We book multiple concrete slots for each slab, so if 4 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
one gets rained out, we have backup dates ready. It’s about thinking ahead, programming everything right.” Even amid these challenges, Construction Plus continues to thrive by focusing on quality over quantity.“We’re not trying to be the biggest,” she says. “We just want to be the best at what we do—and make sure every client feels like they’re our only one.” DESIGN TRENDS AND TIMELESS TOUCHES Today’s homeowners are increasingly driven by both functionality and style—and Construction Plus delivers both in spades. “Designs are always evolving,” Bax says. “The musthaves now are things like butler’s pantries, large open showers, and clever storage. Storage is huge— people always need space for the Christmas tree or the suitcases.” She approaches each design from a lived-in perspective. “I picture myself in the home, asking: where would I put things? What would make daily life easier? That’s how we make every design both beautiful and functional.” While some trends come and go—like media rooms giving way to flexible family lounges—the company’s emphasis on practical luxury remains constant.“We design rooms that will fit a queen bed, even for children, so the house grows with the family,” Bax notes. “It’s about longevity.” FUTURE FOCUS: PASSING THE HAMMER TO THE NEXT GENERATION For Construction Plus, the future is as much about family as it is about expansion. Bax’s husband, a head carpenter and supervisor, plays an integral role in daily operations, and now their two sons are stepping into the business as well. “My eldest is a third-year carpentry apprentice working with his dad,” Leanne says proudly. “And my youngest, who’s still in school, spends two days a week in the office learning the ropes. He loves 5 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 CONSTRUCTION PLUS
YDL Stone inspires Australia’s industry professionals, including designers, architects, builders, cabinet makers and fabricators, with a growing selection of premium surfaces. Specialising in Crystalline Silica-Free (Mineral), Porcelain and Natural Stone, we combine durability, safety and design versatility to meet the demands of modern projects. This year, five new colours have been added to our Crystalline Silica-Free Range, created specifically for the Australian market. The range now exceeds 40 options, giving professionals the freedom to create bold contrasts or subtle harmonies while maintaining the highest standards of safety and durability. Our natural stone collection continues to expand, featuring marble, granite, quartzite, dolomite, limestone and travertine sourced from the world’s most respected quarries. Each slab is carefully selected for its unique character, geological integrity and lasting beauty, offering endless opportunities for striking, high-impact designs. From statement kitchens and feature walls to commercial and hospitality spaces, YDL Stone delivers surfaces that inspire and perform. Visitors to our Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane showrooms enjoy expert guidance and hands-on experience, supported by strict quality control and certifications including Greenguard Gold, NSF and SGS. With every project,YDL Stone champions the beauty, versatility and potential of natural stone and premium surfaces. INSPIRED SURFACES Creating a space you love starts with the right materials. At YDL Stone, we supply high-quality Crystalline Silica-Free stone, porcelain, and natural stone to bring your vision to life. Trusted by professionals across Australia, our surfaces are designed for durability, style, and innovation. Explore the Five New Colours in Our Mineral Range Watch the Video CONTACT US View Miniral Range
computers and will probably take on my role one day.” That continuation mirrors the company’s own multigenerational DNA. “My dad always said he didn’t need sons because girls can do anything boys can—better,” Bax smiles.“Now, I’m passing that same belief to my boys.They’re learning that this business is about respect, hard work, and doing things right.” As the company looks ahead, Bax plans to balance custom client builds with more in-house development projects, particularly dual occupancies and townhouses, which reflect changing land availability and housing needs. “Land is getting tighter and more expensive,” she says. “So the future is in smarter design—smaller footprints, dual occupancies, and maximizing space. We’re already doing a lot of that.” RECOGNITION WITHOUT THE SPOTLIGHT Despite its impressive track record, Construction Plus has never relied on advertising or award submissions. 7 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 CONSTRUCTION PLUS
“We’ve never entered a competition or done paid promotion,” Bax says.“We don’t need recognition for doing what we love.” Yet recognition still finds them. Their builds have been featured in James Hardie and Weathertex publications such as Queensland Homes, showcasing the company’s impeccable use of materials and design.Their architect has also won multiple awards for townhouse projects completed with Construction Plus—proof that excellence naturally draws attention. Still, for Bax, the most meaningful recognition comes from the clients themselves.“When a client says,‘You built exactly what I imagined,’ that’s the best award you can get.” A LASTING IMPRESSION From the outside, Construction Plus is a bespoke builder. But at its core, it’s a story of family, respect, and evolution—of a daughter carrying forward her father’s principles while paving her own path in the industry. 8 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
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Every home tells a story,and so does every relationship the company builds.As bax puts it,“I always want to be the first person to see the customer, and the last person to see them when we hand over the keys. That’s what makes it personal. That’s what makes it Construction Plus.” PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n YDL Stone www.ydlstone.com.au Australia’s leading supplier of premium mineral (crystalline silica-free), porcelain, and natural stone surfaces. Pioneers of Australia’s innovative Crystalline Silica-Free Range, setting new standards in safety, performance, and sustainability. 10 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10
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