Against the Grain Building & Renovating is a family-owned, licensed building company based in Katoomba in the upper Blue Mountains. Founded in 2009 by Director and master builder David Spees, the company specialises in custom new homes, renovations, extensions and heritage restorations across the Blue Mountains City Council area.

Against the Grain builds in the upper Blue Mountains villages of Leura, Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Wentworth Falls.

Yes. Against the Grain Building & Renovating holds NSW builder's licence number 225942C, held by Director David Spees, who brings more than 20 years of construction experience and a lifetime as a Blue Mountains local.

Contact Against the Grain through the online Enquiry Form, by phone on (02) 4782 3210, or by email at build@againstthegrain.net.au.

Yes, we find it easier to start discussions with plans prepared by an architect or draftsperson. Visit our Resources page for a list of local architects and draftspeople we have worked with in the past.

Against the Grain intentionally takes on only a small number of projects at any one time, so every client receives consistent, personalised attention from the start of the build through to handover and beyond.

Against the Grain has industry recognition through bodies including the Master Builders Association NSW, HIA NSW Housing Awards and the Australian Timber Design Awards. Recent award-winning projects include the restoration of Coryong, and the extension of period style cottage Parana both in Leura.

Against the Grain undertakes three main project types: custom new homes, renovations and extensions, and heritage restorations of period homes — supported by our in-house joinery team manufacturing custom timber windows, doors and architectural elements.

Yes. Against the Grain has specific expertise restoring and extending heritage-listed and period style homes, often located in Blue Mountains City Council’s heritage conservation zones. We specialise in retaining historic character while upgrading user comfort, energy performance, and building compliance.

Yes, Against the Grain completed our first 8-star NatHERS extension in 2015 and have extensive experience retrofitting period homes to reduce energy costs and improve user comfort. We also manufacture high-performance, double-glazed timber windows and doors in-house, which significantly improve a building’s comfort and performance.

Yes. Against the Grain occasionally take on boutique commercial projects such as our refurbishment of Blue Mountains Mazda’s showroom in Medlow Bath.

Yes, Against the Grain Windows & Doors manufactures custom timber windows, doors and joinery from their Katoomba factory, supplying both Against the Grain's own building projects and architecture and construction firms across NSW and the ACT.

A local Blue Mountains-based builder such as Against the Grain brings direct knowledge of local council planning requirements, bushfire ratings, climate conditions, and the streetscape character of upper Blue Mountains villages. We also have a strong team of professional subtrades established over 20 years of local construction experience and a lifetime living in the area.