"It is with some misgivings I am writing this reference for Peter because this means he may get rather busier on other people’s work and not be available when I need him.

I have known and worked with Peter since 1993 when he was a foreman with a building company I used. In 1996 Peter started his own building company, A Class Constructions, which later was to become Peter O’Connell Construction.

I am proud to say I was Peter’s first customer when he started out in 1996, and since that time he has been my number one choice for the many residential projects we have done together.

Peter has an amazing ability to sort out difficult problems and works very hard at understanding what is required of him on each project. He plans ahead and rarely gets caught wanting for anything. The quality of the workmanship his employees and subcontract tradesmen deliver is always outstanding.

One pays for this level of organisation and quality of workmanship, so Peter is not the cheapest builder in town. If you want cheap, go elsewhere, if you want quality, Peter is your man.

Peter can’t help himself in that he is always scrupulously honest, often to his own detriment. As most of our work together has been done on a cost-plus basis, honesty is on absolute necessity. In almost 20 years working together, I can say I have never caught Peter out over-claiming on any of his claims for payment.

As long as he always keeps a space for me in his schedule, I wish Peter well for the future.”