A Better Way To Build Your Home
A Better Building Experience For Busy Families in Melbourne’s North East
We take care of your entire build with clear communication, careful planning and systems that keep everything structured and under control
We Manage The Entire Build, So It Doesn’t Become Your Second Job
For busy families across Melbourne’s North-East, we design and deliver high quality custom homes and major renovations with a clear, structured process and constant communication from concepts to handover.
Building or renovating your home should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
But for most people, it quickly turns into:
Constant Decisions X
Unclear Timelines X
Chasing Updates X
Unexpected Issues X
CDK Building Group takes full control of the process so you don’t have to manage chaos. From planning through to completion, we work closely with your designers through a structured process that is built on clarity, communication and collaboration.
No chasing trades. X No Unclear Timelines. X No surprises you didn’t see coming. X
Our Goal
No confusion. No chaos. No stress. Just a well-run build.
Your Outcome
Peace. Pride. Precision.
Who We Work With
We’re not the right builders for everyone, but we might be right for you
We work best with families who value a well-managed, high quality building experience and want a team they can trust to take full control of the process.
Our clients are typically:
Busy professionals with young families ✔
Based in Melbourne’s North East ✔
Looking for a little taste of Luxury ✔
Investing to enjoy their space for the next 10 years or more ✔
Looking for clear communication and clarity throughout the build ✔
Wanting a builder to manage things right from the get go ✔
They are not looking for the cheapest… They are after Clarity, Calm and Confidence
Controlled Processes ✔
Smooth, predictable outcomes ✔
A home that’s built properly and designed to last ✔
A home to host their friends and family, enjoy the calm and take pride in ✔
If you’re primarily focused on finding the lowest price, we’re probably not the right fit. X
But if you’re looking for a well-managed build with clear communication and a team you can rely on, we’d love to talk. ✔
Croydon House
TESTIMONIALS
We’ve lived in our CDK-built home for a year and cannot recommend them highly enough. Our project was a renovation/extension of a 130yo house and we now live in a superbly built, light-filled, energy-efficient, thermally and acoustically comfortable home.
We know several other homeowners who have built or renovated in recent years, and none had as smooth a process or as great an outcome as we did with CDK. Put simply, the processes and skill of Chris and the team enabled our project to run seamlessly and provided us with a wonderful place to live.
If you’re looking for a builder, I recommend you do three things:
1) Contact CDK early. As soon as you’re beginning to throw around ideas is a good time. They will help you clarify what’s possible and will add value to your project (and by extension, your future life) from the beginning.
2) Ask ANY question. You will 100% never be made to feel silly. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them for any queries you may have about any aspect of your project at any stage. They are great at communicating and kept us completely informed at every step along the way.
3) Trust them. These guys are seriously good. Their involvement saved us money and resulted in a better home than we could have dreamed possible. They have exacting expectations for themselves and their team, and it shows in the quality and comfort of our finished home.
— Cynthia and Mike
Eagle House
“We approached CDK Building Group to help us with our large renovation project. Our expectations were a bit hazy, but Chris, David and the team helped us see the project clearly and the end result exceeded all our expectations. CDK Building Group has a very specific obsession with attention to detail that left us with a crisp finish. From the moment we contacted Chris to the final handover, CDK was right there alongside us helping to solve problems, utilise alternative solutions and keep us in the loop every step of the way. We couldn't recommend them highly enough.”
— Mark & Lauren - East Melbourne
Over the past few years we’ve had the pleasure of working with David and Chris on a number of commercial & domestic projects. Continually, they have impressed with the high standard of work and quality of finishes. CDK come with a wealth of experience and we have been inundated with requests for our builders details as the workmanship speaks for itself. We wouldn’t use anybody else!
— Matt Thomas - Prahran
I am a Carpenter and thought I would share my views from working with both Dave and Chris in the past. If you are after a builder that will go above and beyond to bring your dreams to life, then get in touch with the guys. They have incredible attention to detail and their team and trades are loyal and reliable and take as much care in their own work on site as Chris and Dave do themselves. I always love seeing updates of the CDK builds as they are nothing short of outstanding.
- Murphy Ambrose - East Melbourne
What You Can Expect
Systems for Your Success
A Better Way To Build Your Home
10 STEP CRITICAL PATHWAY
We manage the entire process so you don’t have to coordinate trades, chase updates, or make constant decisions without guidance. This pathway is designed to enhance our client experience from the start. It ensures you know the what, the when, the who and the how from Day 1
287 POINT QUALITY CHECKLIST
Our guarantee to you can only be delivered if our processes are followed 100% of the time. That’s why we have introduced the 287 Point Quality Checklist. This checklist is in the inbox of all of our trades from Day 1 of your project and ensures they understand exactly what we need from them specifically for your site. Whenever we check in with our team, we can be confident they have checked off all quality points which is then double checked by our project manager as an extra layer of security. This checklist ensures you are in good hands from start to finish.
WEEK BY WEEK PLAYBOOK
Our favourite thing to do is show off the work we do. Our Week By Week Playbook shows our clients all progress on site via photos uploaded and details around what is coming up. It also assists with communication and gives you the ability to make informed decisions without having to attend site.
Remove The Stress, Build With Ease
Structure, clarity, and communication at every stage
Most building stress comes from uncertainty, not construction itself.
That’s why we’ve built a process designed to remove guesswork.
From day one, you’ll understand:
What’s happening now ✔
What happens next ✔
Who is responsible ✔
What decisions are required (and when) ✔
We stay ahead of problems, communicate before issues escalate, and make sure you never feel like you’re chasing information.
This is what clients tell us they value most:
“We always knew what was going on” ✔
“We never felt out of the loop” ✔
“It felt controlled the whole way through” ✔
Who Is CDK?
Chris Knowles
Founder/Director
Hey! I’m Chris, the proud owner of CDK Building Group, and my journey in the building industry began with a simple work experience fitting out Harvey Norman stores alongside a family friend. After just three months, he recognized my potential and encouraged me to pursue a career as a carpenter. This pivotal moment set me on a path that would lead me to specialize in architectural renovations and extensions in Melbourne’s North East.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on a variety of projects, from commercial low-rise buildings to stunning residential new homes. My brother, David, joined me in this venture, bringing his own expertise from the architectural space, and together we’ve built a reputation for delivering quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. We’ve completed over 25 projects in the last five years, and I take immense pride in the relationships we’ve built with our clients and the architects we collaborate with.
When I’m not on-site or in the office, you can find me enjoying family time with my wife and 2 kids, playing a quick 18 holes, or volunteering at local events. I’m passionate about building not just new homes or extensions, but lasting relationships with my clients. I invite you to reach out and see how we can help you create the luxurious space you’ve always dreamed of. Let’s build something amazing together.
David Knowles
Founder/Director
Hi! I’m David and I am the older brother of CDK. I began a carpentry Apprentice nearly 20 years ago and have enjoyed many years under some great mentors building some great houses for some great clients. I give full credit to my early years in the industry that has guided me down this path to be able to continue my passion in high quality construction and I try my best to deliver every home with millimeter perfection.
At CDK Building Group, we believe in a family-first approach, treating everyone with respect and dignity. My team is dedicated to ensuring that every project runs smoothly, utilizing advanced techniques and technologies to stay ahead of the curve. I now run a comprehensive 287-point checklist to guarantee that every critical stage of the build is meticulously checked, and I keep our clients informed every step of the way.
When I’m not on the sites, you may find my weekends are full up with teaching and caring for 2 young kids, the first who has just started Primary school. With any spare time you might be able to catch me watching the local footy or back in training for another triathlon.
Reach out to see how we can deliver your dream together!
SERVICES
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Building a new home can feel overwhelming. Council approvals, permits, documentation and design decisions all demand time and energy before you even choose a builder. We provide a clear, fixed pathway from the very first conversation to take away that stress. With your quote, you receive a detailed project timeline, a summary of stage payments and a full explanation of our 287-point checklist. This ensures your project stays on track from day one right through to handover.
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Sometimes, the location is perfect, but the home just no longer works for your family or is beyond repair. Therefore, sometimes, its just easier to start again. Our team can help do a full site assessment and hazard check to ensure the demolition process is carried out safely and without any unexpected surprises. We handle the permits, the site safety and clear all debris leaving an empty block and a fresh start for a new home to be rebuilt, transforming the area into a beautiful block with a stunning New Home.
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If your home feels too small or outdated, but you are concerned that a renovation or extension would be messy and drag on forever, we get it. We have spent many years in Renovations and Extensions and they have become our specialty. We have a soft spot for revitalising beautiful old homes back to their former glory with a modern touch. We love seeing homes regain their charm and we would love to help you with your home too.
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
Book an onsite consultation and we can help you plan, develop, design and build your next project in Melbourne’s East.