Building with clarity, care and accountability
get to know the builders behind birchwood
Birchwood Building Co. is a Cairns-based construction business specialising in high-quality renovations, kitchens, bathrooms and home additions across Far North Queensland. The business is led by Brett Liekefett, a hands-on builder known for clear communication, disciplined project management and taking full responsibility for the work from start to finish.
Experience that shapes how we build
Brett got into construction straight out of Year 10. “No big plan. I just knew I didn’t want to sit still, and I liked working with my hands. I started my apprenticeship with AJ Homes under Adam Fahey, and from early on the work wasn’t comfortable or local. It was away work. Remote outback jobs. Torres Strait Islands. High-spec government projects where things had to be right, not just look right.
Because of the way those jobs were run, I ended up working directly with the site supervisor a lot earlier than most apprentices ever do. That meant learning management skills on the fly. Reading drawings properly. Understanding inspections. Knowing that paperwork and sequencing mattered just as much as what you were doing on the tools. You couldn’t hide on those sites. If something went wrong, everyone knew who owned it.
One of the lessons that stuck with me most came from a mistake I still think about. I had a contractor bring in a brand-new sewer connection. I didn’t physically climb down into the excavation to check levels myself. I assumed it was right. It wasn’t. It was brought in too high, had to be redone, and it cost a serious amount of money. That moment burned something into me. Assumptions always come back to bite you. Since then, I don’t rely on ‘should be right’. I check.”
“That mindset followed me overseas.
I moved to London while working as a project manager and was eventually approached to become a director. I spent the next eight years building and restoring Grade-listed buildings across southwest London and the city. Heritage work forces a different way of thinking. You don’t rush. You don’t guess. You plan everything before you touch anything. You deal with inspectors, consultants, heritage officers, and you learn very quickly that shortcuts aren’t an option.
More than anything, that period taught me to back myself. When you’re the decision maker, you don’t mess around. You make the call, you own it, and you live with the outcome.”
Standards we work by every day
our compay values
Quality
Quality means work is done properly, even when no one is watching. If something isn’t right, it’s fixed, not hidden or patched. This ensures a finished result that looks good now and performs for years to come.
Ownership
If our name is on the project, we are responsible. We don’t pass blame to subcontractors, suppliers or consultants. Issues are owned and dealt with directly, so clients always know who is accountable.
Respect
Respect shows up in how a site is managed and how people are treated. Clean, orderly sites and professional behaviour are non-negotiable. Clients should feel comfortable living alongside a build, not overwhelmed by it.
Collaboration
Good results come from working together. Clients are guided through decisions with clear advice, not pushed into outcomes that suit the builder. The goal is a space that reflects how you want to live.
Who You’ll Be Working With
A small team by design
brett liekefett
Director & Lead BuilderBrett is the hands-on builder and your single point of accountability throughout the project. He oversees the work personally, coordinates trades, and remains actively involved from planning through to handover. If something needs attention, Brett handles it directly.
Mia Chabaud
Apprentice BuilderMia is a detail-focused apprentice and a consistent on-site presence. They support daily operations, maintain site standards, and ensure work is carried out methodically and safely. Their role brings continuity and care to each project.
Lauren Liekefett
Administration and Client CoordinationLauren manages the administrative side of Birchwood and supports clear communication throughout each project. She keeps information organised, assists with documentation and selections, and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Her role helps maintain a calm, structured process so clients always know what’s happening and who to contact during the build.
Confidence from day one
The No Surprises Guarantee
We offer a No Surprises Guarantee to remove uncertainty before work begins.
This includes:
Clear budgets with written variation approval
Honest, job-specific timelines
Fully insured, clean and well-managed sites
A six-year structural guarantee
Weekly communication and fast response times
This guarantee applies to every project and reflects how we operate, not just what we promise.
What this means for your renovation
A Better Building Experience
For our clients, this approach means fewer unknowns, clearer communication and a renovation process that feels controlled rather than chaotic. You know who is responsible, what to expect at each stage, and that decisions are made with long-term performance in mind.
It’s a more considered way to build, and one that consistently delivers better outcomes.
Let’s talk about your project
A clear conversation before anything begins
If you’re planning a renovation, kitchen, bathroom or home addition in Cairns or Far North Queensland and want a builder who values quality and accountability, we’d be happy to talk.