“Asked for one word to describe McAulay Construction, this was the response:
Trustworthy
Reliable
Competent
Building experts but much more
Respected by their trades, so the trades go way beyond what’s expected.
Thorough
A great team from Brian and Julia right through their construction crew
Fun
Respectful of costs and budget
And that was the response from one person who didn’t stick to the brief!
McAulay Construction recently finished our new cottage home. To say we are thrilled is a complete understatement. If you are looking for a recommendation for McAulay Construction, this is it. We would (and do) tell everyone who asks that this team is Primo. They know how to do the work and create masterpiece after masterpiece. We know because we have toured most of the projects of the past ten years or so and there isn’t one that you wouldn’t love to call your own.”
S. & C. Rae, Kahshe Lake
“Brian and Team are always our first phone call for any work required at our Kahshe Lake water access cottage. Not only is the whole team always on time, professional and super efficient their combined years of experience makes them the best of the best. I highly recommend McAulay Construction for your construction needs – they will not disappoint.”
E. & L. Miller, Kahshe Lake
“It was such a pleasure and positive experience having the McAulay team build our beautiful Muskoka cottage! The process was well managed, used high quality workmanship, with top trades, and finished on time. A big thank you to the entire McAulay team!”
J. Frank, Kahshe Lake
“We had two significant renovation projects with McAulay Construction on our water access cottage. The first was an overhaul of the siding, roof, and deck. The second focused on the interior with installation of ship lap walls and ceiling, as well as hardwood floors and new doors. They held their price with the exception of discussed upgrades. The communication was very good and they set realistic expectations on timing. They were a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend them.”
D. Pitts, Kahshe Lake
“I contracted Brian as my general contractor to add a bathroom, a heat pump, enlarged office and an elevator to our cottage… I trusted Brian to do it with minimal input from myself and he did. He used very good and skilled trades people and now we are enjoying the fruits of their labor. In spite of my mobility issues I am once again enjoying our cottage as I used to. Cambridge elevating installed a beautiful glass elevator which allows us to see right through it to the lake. It is a masterpiece of his work.”
W. Guard, Lake Muskoka
“McAulay Construction is the only builder you ever need to consider in the Muskokas!
Flawless workmanship and the site visits were very informative and efficient. Working with Brian and his crew was simply amazing. Anytime a question arose, he was the person who answered and/or completed the task. Brian had the happiest and hardest working crew I have ever seen. They were all so polite and greeted me with welcoming smiles and kept working while I met with Brian and his brother Mark.
Need to build? Look no further. Contact Brian McAulay today. You will not be disappointed”
R.Weyer-Keller, Kahshe Lake
“Eight years ago, we worked with Glen and his team to build our Muskoka Lakefront cottage. It was a wonderful experience.
When it came time to add a Garage/Carriage House last year, there was no question who we wanted to work with. Glen and Brian use the best trades in the Gravenhurst area who worked seamlessly to ensure that our new structure was exactly what we wanted.
Brian has a keen eye and is able to visualize space and creative ways to maximize its use. The living area above our garage has 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom and a kitchen/living area that can accommodate a family .
The superior craftsmanship of a McAulay Construction build is evident throughout – especially in the shiplap application on the walls and the great looking ceiling install.
Our Garage/Carriage House is a beautiful structure, which we know will stand the test of time and will be enjoyed by our family for years to come.”
R. Milne, Kahshe Lake
“Working with Brian and Glen was amazing. We were always kept up-to-date with what was planned, they were always approachable and never let on that we were bothering them with our questions/concerns! Our new cottage is a dream-come-true and there is not a single piece that we would change. The workmanship is incredible! Their team is made up of remarkably skilled craftsmen and their subcontractors equally so. Everyone worked through a nasty winter and they did it with smiles on their faces (when we were on site) and I think Mark whistled or sang his way through all four seasons. This was the first time we have ever built a new structure of any kind and we simply could not have had a better experience.”
The O’Pratko Family, Muldrew Lake
“Our family has cottaged on Kahshe Lake for 25 years. We decided to build a new home on the lake and hired McAulay construction to work with us. From the initial meeting with Glen McAulay and our architect Peter Higgins we knew we had the right TEAM. Glen’s reputation for quality project management is well-earned. With his sons Brian and Mark and his loyal and professional trades, he assembled a top-notch group to complete the project. The attention to detail on a complex design was evident from the start. Their suggested improvements to the appearance and function have resulted in a home we love. As an example, Brian McAulay went out of his way to construct perfect symmetry in the master bedroom tray ceiling, telling us that he wanted to build it as if it was his own. Similarly, the fine detail in the attached Muskoka room is a piece of artwork. That’s how the McAulay father and sons team build…as if it was for them. Glen provided us with constant updates ( we were absentee owners) and provided seamless coordination with the finishing trades. Brian called regularly to discuss nuances in the detailed designs as he spent countless hours pouring over the architectural construction drawings. The end result is a finished home that we all agree is beyond what we envisioned. We would recommend McAulay Construction to anyone who wants to build their dream home or cottage.”
The Smith Family, Kahshe Lake
“McAulay Construction was hired to tear down my old cottage on Kahshe Lake in Muskoka and build a new one. I knew Glen McAulay only hires the very best skilled trades people which was a huge relief because I knew I had nothing to worry about. The workers (Brian/Mark/Wes) were exceptionally friendly and very helpful to show us their outstanding workmanship. I was very pleased that we were kept well informed step by step as the cottage progressed. I would highly recommend McAulay Construction to anyone.”
S. Yeadon, Kahshe Lake
“Brian and the team at McAulay Construction were an absolute pleasure to work with. His communication is always clear and honest and his management of the sub trades was incredible. His expertise was clear and his knowledge of the process and Muskoka was great.”
E. Snidal, Barlochan, Lake Muskoka
“The craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail that McAulay Construction is known for is evident as soon as you drive up to the cottage…”
K.Goggins, Muskoka Life Magazine
“They were amazing…It was seamless, effortless and everyone worked well together. Glen and Brian and Mark were just so flexible and easy going, and easy to work with. They were a pleasure.”
A. Myers, Kahshe Lake – Muskoka Life Magazine Interview.
“McAulay Construction did a great job…They were professional, reliable, stuck to timelines and are great quality builder. A pleasure to work with.”
H. Butler, Kahshe Lake
“We had the pleasure of working with Brian McAulay and his team on two separate renovation projects at our cottage and we were absolutely thrilled with the results! Fortunately, my husband had come across McAulay Construction referenced in a magazine article, as we were having challenges finding a contractor. Once he got a hold of Brian McAulay things finally got moving – quickly! He is so extremely knowledgeable and passionate about his work. He brings a great deal of expertise and truly works with the best of the best – electricians, carpenters, roofers, heating, brick masons, drywallers, flooring – no matter what the trade, all were great professionals to work with. He listens to what you want, makes recommendations and will give honest advice if he thinks something won’t work. And his pricing was very reasonable and transparent. Most of all, Brian treats your home or cottage as if it were his own property – only quality work will do and every detail counts. We highly recommend McAulay Construction.”
T. & W. Wagner, Myers Lake
“McAulay Construction tore down my old cottage and rebuilt it from the ground up (with two significant additions) mainly in 2016. They have carefully selected their tradesmen and suppliers over decades to maintain their reputation for excellent quality. Superior management of all trades by Glen and Brian – coordination and collaboration was executed flawlessly.
Dealing with Glen and Brian is a pleasure as they are very professional and accountable – making decisions easy and changes productive; the entire team had a very positive attitude!
Superb workmanship – every step along the way was of the highest quality work, and communication of all tasks was consistently provided, essential in a complete rebuild and especially when building from a distance.
Final product is perfect – Highly satisfied as they have great attention to detail with any final tasks or follow ups completed ASAP, with no delay.
We would highly endorse and recommend McAulay Construction for superior craftsmanship, professional focus on quality and a pleasure to work with.”
S. Hawkins., Sparrow Lake
“We used McAulay Construction for our modern cottage build. From start to finish, they were a pleasure to deal with. They had the experience , professionalism and attention to detail that made our cottage what it is today. Throughout the process from surveying ,permits,construction materials, to advice, Mcaulay Construction demonstrated their mastery of the building process. We would not hesitate recommending them to anyone, and plan on using them for a modern garage to complement our modern cottage, in the near future. Quality builders are hard to find, and we are happy to have had the opportunity to work with Mcaulay Construction.”
Greg & Jenn H., Kahshe Lake
“I am an architectural designer that has worked with McAulay Construction for a number of years now. Accuracy, communication and maintaining a schedule are some of the important keys to a successful construction project. McAulay construction exceeds these very important points on a consistent basis. Great company to work with!”
Darren M., Design Right
“…Brian McAulay was referred to us … and did everything from start to finish with absolutely no supervision from us. We had to trust his judgment, as we weren’t able to visit to monitor the progress. Brian and his team completed the project more quickly than we would have ever anticipated, and the build quality has surpassed our expectations. His attention to detail is truly remarkable…Brian and his team overcame all obstacles, with no hesitation.
Brian’s solid reputation was also evident throughout the permit process, where securing permits was a breeze once it was known that McAulay Construction had completed the work. The town inspectors seem to have complete faith in the quality of his work.
We would not hesitate in recommending Brian and McAulay Construction for any construction needs. They were beyond reliable, extremely trustworthy and the quality of their work is truly impressive. Thanks Brian and team!”
Jonathan S., Kahshe Lake
“We feel so fortunate to have had the McAulay team build our cottage for us on Kahshe Lake. The entire project was incredibly smooth thanks to Glen’s experience and relationships with all of the trades people needed to complete the build. We were never aware of any issues during the project, which we’re sure there were, but Glen helped to solve or always came to us with solutions. Brian and team’s craftsmanship was impressive – we’ve had many visitors comment on the quality of the work and it was all done on time and on budget. Thanks again to everyone on the project who helped make our cottage vision a reality and we look forward to enjoying it for decades to come.”
Carrie & Travis B., Kahshe Lake
“The result speaks loud and clear to the skill you personally and your total team of affiliated professionals bring to the project…Thank you for your great contribution in creating this perfect retreat.”
Richard K., Kahshe Lake
“Glen, Brian, and the entire McAulay Construction team were a pleasure to work with during our cottage planning and construction. The attention to detail and the fine workmanship by the crew and the other tradespeople, as well as their suggestions for improvements, made our dream a reality. Glen was always on top of the project coordinating the numerous contractors and suppliers. It was a very interesting experience and Glen, with his years of experience, took away any stress on us and was able to smoothly accommodate our few changes along the way. We can’t say enough in our appreciation of what the team was able to accomplish.”
Bob & Kathy M., Kahshe Lake
“We had heard many horror stories of builders running over in cost and time so we were very nervous about choosing our builder. Glen held the overview and moved everything along from design of our new cottage to teardown of our old cottage to completion in such a timely manner. He had every trade in place working to his specifications including a fellow to arrange all permits with the town. There was a process of meeting with a supplier to choose windows, doors, roofing, decks, railings right down to door handles that concluded in an accurate price brought forward. Glen also got all his trades to commit to their price so by the time we committed we knew exactly what we were in for. The price did not change unless we wanted to do something very different but there was no skimping on materials or workmanship.
Glen was professional and informative in all his interactions and Brian was hands on and always receptive to our needs even making suggestions that we had not thought of that were important.
We are so pleased with our cottage and highly recommend McAulay Construction.”
Robert & Vibeke B., Kahshe Lake
“McAulay Construction has proven to excel past my initial expectations; from design and advice to quality of construction. We have dealt with the McAulay team since our first cottage in 2004 and have used them on 4 properties since.
It’s one thing to have a builder design and build, but another to have complete aftercare once the project is done. We still use the McAulay team for various projects to this day.”
Bruce S., Lake Muskoka
“I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my family for the outstanding job you did in building our cottage.
You and your crew are the epitome of professionals…your work is done quickly and efficiently, you show up when you say you will and you complete the task at hand on time or early! The versatility of you and your team really impressed me…from framing to roofing to deck and dock construction to hardwood flooring and trim carpentry – it seems like you guys can do it all.
Everyone who visits our cottage admires the job you did installing the wall and ceiling cladding in the great room; our vision would not have been achieved without your hard work and eye for detail.
Thanks again,”
Andy M., Kahshe Lake
“…I want to thank you and congratulate you on the completion of the construction of our Muskoka Room. You and your crew were able to deal with the complexities and to perform very high quality work. We have had many compliments already with a particular note about the quality of the finishing carpentry.
It is not often that a client has hired the same contractor back for four major projects over a ten year span. We have done that…you have been personally involved in three of those and lead the team on the last one…and would have you back again if we could find space on our property to build something else!
Knowing your integrity, I was very comfortable working on a “time and materials” basis and found your charges to be of excellent value.
It was a joy to work with you and to enjoy the results of your efforts and capabilities.
Thanks,”
Bill & Patty G., Lake Muskoka
