Meet the Crew

Behind every Sage & Stone project is a team of good people who genuinely care about the work they do and the people they do it for.

Newcastle's renovation, extension & new build specialists.

We’ve built a culture grounded in respect, reliability, and pride in doing things properly - creating homes through honest collaboration, quality craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to the outcome.

From the first conversation to the final handover, our team brings a calm, thoughtful approach to every stage of the build.

Meet the Crew

  • A man with a beard and short dark hair, dressed in a white shirt and black blazer, smiling and standing against a plain white wall.

    Joe Duffy

    FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

    Joe brings energy, warmth and a hands-on approach to every site he steps onto. As a dad of three, he knows what matters to young families – and takes pride in creating a wholesome, low-stress building experience from start to finish. He oversees each build personally, keeping communication clear and quality high every step of the way. Outside of work, you’ll find him on a motocross track or off on an outdoor adventure with his crew in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie surrounds.

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair dressed in a light blue blazer and matching pants, standing against a plain white background. She is smiling, showing her teeth, with her arms crossed in front of her, her right hand gently holding her left wrist, and her left arm resting across her stomach.

    Claire Sheridan

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Passionate, self-driven and highly organised, Claire guides each project with care and precision. With a strong background in civil engineering and project management, she supports clients from initial concept through to construction – keeping things clear, structured and on track. Outside of Sage & Stone, she’s just as hands-on, whether she’s out mountain biking, frequenting Whitebridge coffee shops or tending to her garden.

  • A smiling man with short brown hair, wearing a dark gray button-up shirt, standing against a plain white background.

    George Rawlinson

    SITE MANAGER/LEAD CARPENTER

    George is our kind and patient site supervisor – and Sage & Stone’s resident Steve Irwin. Clients instantly warm to him, kids adore him, and if there’s a snake or spider that needs removing, he’s your guy. George spends his weekends crafting his own family home in Merewether, and travelling through Australia’s outback camping and fishing.

  • Man with hat on

    Charlie Mathers

    PROJECT MANAGER

    Kahibah local Charlie Mathers brings a unique blend of hands-on building experience and technical expertise to the Sage & Stone team. A qualified carpenter turned Civil Engineer, Charlie has worked across major commercial and structural construction projects, giving him a deep understanding of how great buildings come together from the ground up. A former footy player and proud dad, Charlie is a genuine people person, making our custom builds & renovations enjoyable from start to finish.

A woman in casual denim clothing standing and a man in casual clothing sitting in a chair in a plain white room.

More than builders.

There’s no shortage of builders. But not every building experience feels the same.

What sets Sage & Stone apart is the way the team shows up - trustworthy, approachable, experienced, and genuinely invested in getting things right from the beginning.

Joe and Claire have built the business around good communication, thoughtful planning, and strong relationships with the people involved in every project - clients, trades, architects, suppliers, and the crew on site each day.

It’s a team that values hard work, keeps its word, and cares about the details that make a home feel right long after handover.

No big egos. No pressure. Just good people building homes with care.

Build With Us

Your Questions, Answered

  • The timeline for your home renovation or extension in Newcastle or Lake Macquarie depends on the size and complexity of the project. Most builds take 12 to 25 weeks once we begin construction. During the early planning stage, we’ll provide a clear, tailored schedule so you can plan with confidence.

  • Yes – we work with our trusted planners & designers to manage all the approvals and paperwork with Newcastle & Lake Macquarie councils. From concept plans and DA or CDC submissions to liaising with engineers, certifiers and local council, we take care of it all so you can enjoy a stress-free experience.

  • Yes – right from the concept phase, we work closely with trusted local designers, architects and engineers to help bring your ideas to life. Whether you need help from the very beginning or already have plans drawn, we’ll guide you through the full process: design, budgeting, documentation, approvals and build.

  • We do – and it’s a big part of what sets us apart. Having our own in-house carpentry team in Newcastle means we maintain complete quality control over one of the most important parts of the build. It also allows us to move efficiently through the timeline and pay extra attention to detail.

  • Absolutely – we love involving families in the building process. Through arrangement with our builder, Joe, you’re able to sign onto our WHS system and visit the site to see the progress of your home build, and we’ll give you a heads-up when exciting milestones are coming up – especially the ones kids love, like excavation days. We believe building your dream home should be memorable for all the right reasons – and sharing those moments with you is one of the best parts of what we do.

  • Yes – we provide a detailed, fixed-price contract before construction begins. That way, you know exactly what’s included and can feel confident about the budget. We also walk you through each stage of the quote so there are no surprises down the track.

  • It depends on your project. Many Newcastle home extensions or outdoor builds can be done while you remain in the home. However, if we’re removing internal walls or making major changes to your living areas, a short-term move may be recommended. We’ll help you assess the best approach and keep disruption to a minimum.

  • We build across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and surrounding suburbs, but we’re especially busy in the Charlestown, Whitebridge, Kahibah, Warners Bay, Belmont, Dudley, Redhead and Merewether LGAs.

  • We’re a family-owned building company in Newcastle, and we bring heart, honesty and hands-on care to every project. We treat our clients like family, communicate clearly, and keep your goals front and centre throughout the entire process. Our personalised service, in-house trades and on-site involvement from our directors set us apart from larger, less connected builders. Our continued involvement from the concept phase is especially unique. Clients in the past have been pleased with the team approach to their building planning, often not needing to stress the finer details because we have them covered with our planners and engineers.