"I have known Peter O’Connell professionally for over twenty years, firstly as a Structural Engineer Consultant, where he was the acting foreman in charge on the building of a large (and structurally very complex) house on the waterfront at Point Piper, and then in the latter years as a licensed builder, carrying out diverse projects, both residential and commercial.

Apart from his extremely sound building knowledge and the quality of his workmanship, together with that of his employees and his subcontracted tradesmen, what really impressed me from our first meeting at Point Piper was his complete honesty.

Several years ago, I engaged Peter to undertake the amalgamation of three units at the Rockfort building, which, once again, required some difficult structural underpinning together with demanding finishes throughout. Because of the complexities and the changes that we knew would be made as the work progressed, it was carried out at my request on a “do and charge basis”, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome.

Recently, the Board of the Rockfort Building engaged Peter to complete the Council imposed Fire Safety Upgrade on the Rockfort (which was well behind schedule), some of which he undertook himself and some as project manager. Following that, the Board has engaged him, either to carry out himself or to project manage, all the remaining remedial work required on the building, including a complete reorganisation of the individual hot water units in the roof space into several safety enclosures and the repairs to, and painting of, the exterior of this heritage building.

I have no hesitation in recommending Peter O’Connell for any project – large or small – that requires not only above average skills and workmanship, but also integrity in the manner in which it is both undertaken and the costs are determined.”