About
The builder behind the business.
Marc Kelly is a registered builder and qualified carpenter, on site for every project.
The story
From the Riverina to inner Melbourne.
Marc grew up on a mixed farm near Ganmain in the Riverina, southern NSW, surrounded by the grand old homesteads and massive shearing sheds of the district. Properties like Tubbo, Toganmain and Boonooke stations, and his grandparents' colonial rammed-earth house with its wraparound verandah. The history, beauty and craftsmanship in those buildings stayed with him.
In 2007 he began a carpentry apprenticeship under Jari and Rudi Nielsen, respected Danish-expat builders with a name for excellent craftsmanship in the region, following his older brother David into the trade. After qualifying in 2010, he moved to Melbourne and took a lead carpenter role with Balmain & Co, working on bayside renovations and extensions before moving into commercial site and people management with a tier-one Melbourne facade contractor.
In 2015 Marc headed to the UK, joining LDB Construction, first as a carpenter and then as site foreman, on prestige homes in Belgravia, Notting Hill and Holland Park. These were 5-8 million pound projects built to an exceptional standard. Back in Melbourne from 2018, he managed major commercial facade packages on tier-one sites, but grew tired of the politics and long hours of large-scale commercial work.
In 2021, Marc founded Kelly Construction Co, returning to the hands-on, craft-led building he was passionate about. What started with a few bathroom renovations has grown into the considered renovation, extension and restoration practice the business is known for today.
Outside work, Marc lives in inner Melbourne with his wife Jo and their three boys, Rory, Albie and Jock. He follows AFL and cricket, sponsors Anderson Monds Racing on the Riverina sprintcar circuit, and carries a genuine passion for regenerative farming, landscape ecology, and the colonial architecture and history that first drew him to building.
Industry memberships
Building with credibility and accountability.
Kelly Construction Co holds current memberships with industry associations that uphold standards in residential construction.
Marc believes in building to a standard he would be comfortable putting his name to. Industry membership is part of holding himself to that: it means working to a code of conduct, staying current with best practice, and being accountable to a body that represents the profession.
For clients, it also means being able to verify who you are building with before you commit. Knowing your builder holds a current registration and professional membership takes some of the uncertainty out of what is often the largest financial decision a household makes.
Registered Builder Licence DBU 69963 (personal)
Registered Builder Licence CDBU 73609 (company)
How we work
What it means to build with Kelly Construction Co.
You deal directly with the builder
Every project is personally overseen by Marc Kelly. You work with the builder responsible for the job, not a salesperson or a project manager.
A personal building experience
Clients benefit from working with a builder who takes the time to understand their goals, remains accessible throughout the project, and genuinely cares about the outcome.
Built on reputation and referrals
Much of Kelly Construction Co's work comes from repeat clients, referrals, and recommendations, reflecting a strong track record of successful projects and satisfied homeowners.
Strong relationships with architects & designers
Collaborative working relationships help ensure projects are delivered as intended, with attention to detail and respect for the original design vision.
Two decades on the tools
Twenty years of hands-on carpentry and construction means problems get spotted early and detail is treated as the standard, not an extra.
Registered builder & qualified carpenter
Formal qualifications backed by years on site, so projects are managed with both technical know-how and genuine craftsmanship.
On site, not behind a desk
Unlike larger building companies, Marc stays physically involved and is regularly on site throughout your build.
Built for complex renovations & extensions
Experienced in reworking existing homes, integrating new and old, planning carefully, and solving the problems older buildings throw up.
Heritage & character home experience
Skilled at restoring and upgrading older homes while protecting the character, craftsmanship and features that make them worth keeping.
A small team, fully accountable
Deliberately small means closer oversight, tighter quality control and clear accountability from start to finish.
Honest, regular communication
You're kept informed the whole way through with straight advice, clear expectations and no surprises.
Want a builder who's genuinely across the detail?
Tell us what you're planning. We'll help you work out the best pathway, and whether we're the right builder for the job.
We'll help you determine the best service pathway for your project, and you don't need to have it all figured out.