Metcalf Group (SA)

Building with Purpose

A South Australian Builder Putting People First

Nearly three decades after opening its doors the Metcalf Group (SA), a family-owned South Australian construction company continues to quietly shape communities across the state. From humble beginnings refurbishing retirement units in the mid-1990s, the business has evolved into a trusted partner for retirement living providers, government agencies, and the disability housing sector. Throughout that journey, one constant has remained at its core: a deep commitment to building with purpose.

Founded in 1996, the company’s earliest work focused on refurbishing retirement village units. Those first projects opened a window into a highly specialised and sensitive area of construction. The team was not just renovating bricks and mortar; they were upgrading the homes of older Australians at pivotal stages in their lives. That experience planted the seeds of what would become a defining theme for the business: working with vulnerable communities, delivering quality and dignity, and doing it in a way that feels personal and trustworthy.

From those beginnings, the Metcalf Group (SA) progressed into larger home renovations and extensions before expanding again into the construction of complete retirement villages. Over time, its capabilities grew in both complexity and scale. Today, the company’s portfolio spans government contracts with Housing Trust homes, ongoing maintenance and renovation work for public hospitals and other state facilities, and a meaningful presence in disability housing through the NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) sector. 

It also holds a significant contract with a major eastern seaboard private wealth organisation, building specialist disability homes in South Australia while continuing its long-standing retirement village refurbishment program.

For Managing Director Gary Metcalf, that mix of work is a source of pride as well as responsibility. In the disability sector alone, the company has completed twenty new build SDA homes and currently has around eleven homes nearing completion that have and will soon become permanent, purpose-built residences for people living with disability.

“We’re really excited about what we’ve been able to deliver to that community,” he says. “We’ve built a reputation for platinum-level homes in the disability space, and seeing people move into environments that truly support an independent, comfortable life – that matters to us.”

The retirement living arm is equally active. The company recently completed a retirement unit project that has been entered into the HIA Awards, underscoring the quality and attention to detail that have become hallmarks of its work.

Balancing Challenges with Long-Term Relationships

Working across retirement living, disability housing, and government projects brings both challenges and opportunities. Metcalf is quick to point out that the communities they serve – older residents, people living with disability, and tenants in social housing – often sit at the more vulnerable end of the spectrum. That reality shapes how the business operates and the standards it sets for itself.

One of the biggest priorities is continuity. The firm has worked hard to build a stable, loyal workforce and a tightly knit network of subcontractors. In an industry where labour shortages and turnover are constant talking points, this company stands out for its longevity of relationships. Employees tend to stay. Subcontractors have been with the team for many years, often becoming part of the extended business family.

“We’re very fortunate that we don’t have a high turnover,” Metcalf says. “Our clients deal with us year in, year out, and they like to see the same faces. They know the quality of work they’re going to get. So we put a lot of energy into maintaining that continuity.”

In-house, the team has grown to around thirty to thirty-five people, with three new site staff recently coming on board, and regular access to approximately fifty subcontractors. Maintaining clear sector specialisation within that network is key. Trades working on disability projects, for example, stay within that niche, because the builds are highly specialised and demanding. The same applies to retirement village work and government contracts. That segmentation allows the team to deliver consistency for clients while giving subcontractors confidence that their expertise is recognised and valued.

There is also an explicit commitment from the company not to constantly pit its subcontractors against outside bidders purely on price. If new firms approach seeking work, they will be considered carefully, but loyalty is a two-way street: existing subcontractors are expected to deliver high standards, and in return the company backs them and provides security.

A Family Business with an Inclusive Culture

At its heart, this is very much a family business. Gary’s children work in the company, and now those children have families of their own. That layered family reality brings all the normal joys and complexities, but it also informs how the company treats its people.

“We understand the challenges of having young families,” Metcalf notes. “We try to be inclusive and recognise that family life is important.”

That inclusivity plays out in a variety of ways. Monthly company barbecues give staff a chance to connect outside of the daily rush. A couple of larger functions each year bring not only employees and subcontractors together, but their partners as well. The idea is simple: if spouses and families can experience the atmosphere and dynamics of the company firsthand, they gain confidence in where their loved ones spend so much of their time.

“It doesn’t always work perfectly – you’re dealing with a lot of different individuals – but we try,” Gary says with a laugh. “At the end of the day, we want our employees to want to turn up to work and to want to do a good job.”

Compliance, Precision, and Technology

Working in heavily regulated sectors means staying ahead of compliance requirements. Government contracts, particularly with housing and public infrastructure, come with a constant stream of regulatory updates. Gary says the relevant departments are proactive in communicating changes, often on a daily basis, allowing the company to cascade that information quickly to staff and trades.

The disability housing space is even more exacting. SDA builds are “to the millimetre,” he explains, with strict standards on everything from corridor widths to doorway clearances. To stay current, the company aligns itself with the right alliances and industry groups. Membership in bodies such as the SDA Alliance keeps the team plugged into evolving requirements and best practice.

On the technology front, the business is continually exploring new tools and systems that can enhance construction and project management. While Gary is the first to admit that he is not naturally drawn to technology, he has deliberately surrounded himself with people who are. A business manager and other leaders monitor emerging opportunities, from software to training, and bring forward options that can streamline operations or improve outcomes. Staff who want to upskill through courses or certifications are actively supported, reinforcing a culture of ongoing improvement.

Securing the Future

Looking ahead, the company’s priorities are grounded and pragmatic. The first is security: the security of staff, the security of the business itself, and the security of the relationships that underpin it. That means maintaining strong ties with clients and suppliers, ensuring that the firm remains a trusted partner for the long term. It also means building a business that will endure beyond the current leadership.

“The goal is to make sure it’s around for a long time,” Gary says. “When it is time for me to step down – and I don’t have plans to do that for a while yet – I want there to be a secure business for the people in it to continue.”

Growth is not off the table. The phone rings regularly with new opportunities, and the company is in the fortunate position of being able to evaluate them carefully, deciding where they align with capacity, capability, and values. But Gary is clear that the business will not say yes to something it cannot deliver. Steady, sustainable growth, underpinned by integrity, is non-negotiable.

Meaningful Work and Community Support

For this South Australian builder, the type of work it takes on is as important as the volume. Both disability housing and retirement living can be controversial sectors at times, and the company entered them only after doing its homework and ensuring it could meet the ethical, technical, and regulatory demands involved. The same applies to government projects, which often involve hospitals, police and fire stations, and public housing.

“You’re dealing with people who are vulnerable,” Metcalf says. “You’ve got to have your ducks in a row and make sure you’re doing the right thing along the way. For us, the work gives us a purpose. Whether it’s disability, retirement, or government buildings, we feel like we’re giving something back to the community.”

That sense of community involvement extends beyond the building site. The company supports a range of charities and local organisations, including sporting clubs and Backpack For Kids, for which it serves as a drop-off point, collecting donated items and transporting them to the charity’s warehouse. Gary himself has previously served as chair of a charity, and that mindset of service still permeates the business.

Recognition and Awards

While the company does not chase awards for their own sake, it is enjoying a moment in the spotlight. A recently completed retirement unit, built for long-term partner Living Choice, has been prepared “over and above normal” specifically for entry into the upcoming HIA Awards. At the same time, two of the company’s own disability housing developments have also been entered into the awards program. Together, those entries will showcase the firm’s capabilities across both retirement and disability sectors to a wider audience.

“We’re very proud and honoured to be asked to do that,” Metcalf says of the Living Choice project. “And to have our own developments recognised as well is exciting for everyone here.”

As the business moves toward its thirtieth year, it stands on foundations built from more than concrete and steel. Employee loyalty, long-standing subcontractor relationships, careful compliance, and a genuine desire to contribute to the community all underpin its work. In a sector where projects can sometimes feel purely transactional, this South Australian builder has chosen a different path – one where purpose, people, and long-term trust take centre stage.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Metcalf Group (SA)

What: A leading builder built on long term, sustainable relationships and unparalleled expertise

Where: Based in South Australia

Website: www.metcalfgroupsa.com.au

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