Blay Builders’ founding owners, Gary and Kayleen Blay, have worked extremely hard over 30 years to grow their East Gippsland building business. Starting out as a husband and wife team, Blay Builders has grown to an organisation of 11 staff, employing over 60 local contractors. With a target of 45 homes this year, the company has built its reputation based on loyalty, honesty, quality workmanship and home ‘livability’.
As Gary tells us, “we want our customers to be delighted with the product they have built and we go the extra mile to offer them a build that they can’t get elsewhere.”
A local business with a long tradition
From Mallacoota to Sale, with a focus in Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and Metung, Blay Builders’ single and double storey homes are sold to customers interested in quality and service – including first home buyers.
It all started out with Gary completing his apprenticeship under father Arthur Blay and local builder Don Stagg. Gary recalls riding 20km from Bairnsdale to Lindenow by pushbike to one job site for six weeks to build the house with hammer and nail – no nail guns back then! Over time, Gary has witnessed many changes, from the imperial to metric system change and the introduction of computers as an everyday part of building life.
A new era for Blay Builders
Now the baton is being passed to local brothers Zack and Xavier Ryan. After a long working history with the Blay family, the brothers began the transition of taking over ownership of the business three years ago.
Zack Ryan completed his apprenticeship under Gary Blay many years ago, before gaining valuable experience in commercial building in Melbourne. Now, as Site Supervisor, Zack applies his tireless work ethic to Blay Builders.
“We are always trying to increase the personal touch with our customers”, says Zack. “We keep the customer in the loop along the way, and that’s how we keep them happy.”
Brother Xavier completed his apprenticeship locally before gaining his Builder’s Registration and starting a small domestic construction business. Today, Xavier’s role at Blay Buildersis General Manager – Operations, handling the business management and customer relations.
A progressive business with an innovative edge
One growing specialty of Blay Builders has become sloping block construction. Unlike other builders who may approach sloping blocks with a big cut and build, the Blay team design with sub floor, stumps, bearers, joints and lightweight cladding to make the most of the block.
Blay Builders use only raft slab and not waffle slab in their construction, staying true to their commitment of quality by using the best technology and products available.
The Dahlsens factor
Dahlsens has been a proud partner of Blay Builders since the beginning. “We couldn’t have done it without Dahlsens,” says Gary. “They’re fantastic to deal with and always there to help.”
A noteable recent project for Blay Builders, at the requestof publican Greg Brick, was the re-building of the Buchan Pub. The famous pub burnt down two and a half years ago, leaving the community without its local watering hole. After one of Australia’s most successful crowdfunding campaigns, $600,000 of funding and materials (from various suppliers to Dahlsens such as James Hardie, CSR Bradford, CSR Gyprock, Timberlink, Meyer Timber and Selection Steel), the new Buchan Caves Hotel was built.
Months of hard work and voluntary labour has renewed the energy of Buchan. “The re-building has been a really good thing for the town – there’s a great buzz around the place. It is a project we’ll always be proud of,” said Zack Ryan.
To Blay Builders, we wish you continued success. To Gary and Kayleen, enjoy your next era! Your team will leave a legacy of homes that will stand the test of time.