Good questions deserve straight answers.

What makes Echelon Built different from other trades?

Most trades specialise in one thing. We specialise in finding the real cause — and solving the problem properly, whatever trade boundary it crosses. Our dedicated Client Care contact makes sure you’re never left guessing about what’s happening, what it’ll cost, or when it’ll be done.

What’s the difference between Echelon Built and a standard handyman?

Nick can handle the jobs on your list — the things that are broken, worn, or just not working the way they should. But what sets him apart is the ability to build things that didn’t exist before. To look at a space, understand how it should work, and construct something precise and functional from scratch. Most handymen can’t do that. Most won’t even try.

Are you a licensed builder?

Nick isn’t a licensed builder — and we’re upfront about that. Our work sits in the space between handyman and specialist trade — fixing what’s broken, improving what’s worn, and building the small functional things that most trades won’t touch. No job is too small either — if it’s on your list, we’re happy to help. We’re fully insured, and we’ll always tell you upfront if your job calls for a licensed structural builder or a specialist trade. We have trusted contacts across the trades and we’re happy to point you in the right direction.

What kinds of jobs do you take on?

We organise our work into three categories — Fix, Improve, and Build. Fix is anything broken or unsafe — a gate that won’t latch, brickwork that’s become a safety risk. Improve is restoring or upgrading what you have so it lasts longer — a deck that needs recoating, fascia that’s starting to deteriorate. Build is making something that didn’t exist before — a partition, a landing, a custom outdoor structure. Not sure which category your job falls into? Just describe what’s going on and we’ll work it out.

How do I know if my job is something you’d handle?

Whether it's a straightforward fix or something that doesn't quite belong to any one trade — we're likely the right fit. If you've called a few trades and nobody wants to own it, or it's been sitting on your list because you're not sure who to call, get in touch. We'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit. And if we're not, we'll point you in the right direction.

How does your pricing work?

Every job is different, so we don’t publish a price list. For straightforward single-step jobs, we charge a call-out fee plus an hourly rate. For jobs that involve multiple steps, materials, or a more complex scope, we provide a clear written estimate before anything starts — with inclusions, exclusions, and any likely variations spelled out so there are no surprises. Either way, you’ll always know what you’re up for before we start.

What are your payment terms?

Once we’ve agreed on the job and you’re ready to proceed, we take a deposit by bank transfer before confirming your scheduled date. When the job is done, we send the final invoice and payment is settled at that point. All payments are by bank transfer, which keeps things straightforward and avoids passing card transaction fees on to you.

Which Melbourne suburbs do you cover?

We’re based in Heidelberg Heights and serve Melbourne’s eastern and northern suburbs — from Kew and Camberwell through to Doncaster, Eltham, Greensborough, and surrounds. If you’re not sure whether we cover your area, just ask.

What if my job needs an electrician or plumber?

You still only have to call one number. If your job needs a licensed electrician, plumber, or other specialist trade, we’ll tell you upfront and connect you with someone we trust. And if you already have your own specialist you work with, we’re happy to coordinate with them directly.