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.

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    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

  • Sage & Stone Projects delivers residential construction services across Newcastle and the surrounding Hunter region, including home renovations, extensions, major alterations and new builds. Our expertise extends beyond construction, with a strong focus on pre-construction planning, design coordination, project management and resolving complex building challenges before work begins.

  • Yes. Our preliminary agreement service is designed to help bring projects into alignment before construction begins. If your project has progressed through design but is facing budget pressures, unresolved details or uncertainty around the construction scope, we can review the existing information, identify potential solutions and help establish a more workable path forward. We refer to this process as a Project Reset.

  • Yes - We take a detailed approach to reviewing plans, specifications and project requirements before finalising the construction scope. Where necessary, we undertake quote revisions to help ensure the client and builder have a shared understanding of the inclusions, exclusions and budget. Our goal is to reduce uncertainty through transparent communication and thorough preparation before construction begins.

  • Your build will be managed collaboratively by our dedicated, experienced full-time Project Manager and our Builder, Joe, who remain closely involved throughout the project.

    Our Project Manager provides the technical oversight and day-to-day coordination, including managing trades, reviewing construction details, monitoring finances and identifying potential issues. Joe brings his hands-on building experience and remains involved in key construction decisions and the overall delivery of your project.

    Through our online project management platform, you'll have access to project information, contractual communication, financial monitoring and regular site updates. This is complemented by in-person site walks and direct interaction with our friendly crew, ensuring you feel informed, supported and connected throughout your build.

  • It depends on the scope and complexity of your project. For larger renovations and extensions, moving out may be the most practical option, particularly when major structural changes affect essential living areas. However, where the project allows, we’re happy to work with clients who would prefer to remain in their home, carefully planning the construction stages to minimise disruption and maintain a safe living environment.

    We’ll discuss the practical considerations with you early on, help you understand your options and develop an approach that balances the needs of your household with the requirements of the build.

  • 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, bringing together residential building experience, structural engineering knowledge and experience in complex and challenging civil works. We’re comfortable taking on projects that require careful planning, technical problem-solving and a considered approach to construction.

    Alongside this experience, we place a strong focus on a warm, personal client experience. Our directors remain involved from the early planning stages through to construction, working closely with our team, consultants and trades to identify potential issues early and provide practical solutions.

    We believe in clear communication, honest advice and treating every client like family. By combining technical capability with genuine care and hands-on involvement, we aim to make the building process feel organised, supported and as stress-free as possible.