The Name Behind H.C.
Melzer H.C. Building Co. is named in honor of my great-grandfather, Harold Charles Melzer, a builder from Temora, NSW, whose work was closely tied to timber, hardware, sawmilling and construction.
Harold was part of a generation of builders who understood buildings from the material up. Timber, brick, structure and detail were not separate from the craft, they were the craft. His work reflected a time when builders were known by the quality of what they left behind.
One lasting example of that legacy is Melzer House, located at 116–120 Hoskins Street, Temora. Built in 1955, Melzer House is a two-storey residential and retail building that remains a recognised heritage item in Temora. With its red brick frontage, terra-cotta tile roof, cantilevered awning, glass block detailing and Art Deco character, it still contributes to the streetscape today.
Although I never had the privilege to meet Harold, his story has become part of the foundation for this company. To me, he represents the old style of builder, practical, resourceful, honest and deeply connected to his craft, his materials and his community.
The initials H.C. honour Harold Charles, but they also stand for what this business is built around: Heritage Craftsmanship.
Melzer H.C. Building Co. carries that legacy forward, not by copying the past, but by respecting it. Every restoration, renovation, extension, roofing and carpentry project is approached with the belief that good building should be honest, considered and built to last.
Built From Hands-On Experience
My own path into building has come through years of hands-on carpentry and site experience across residential, commercial and heritage-style work.
I’ve worked across renovations, extensions, roofing, framing, structural carpentry, cladding, kitchen installation, set-out, excavation, slab preparation and detailed finishing work. That experience has given me a practical understanding of how buildings go together, how old homes behave, and how important it is to get the hidden work right — not just the parts people see at the end.
Some of the projects that have shaped my approach include a heritage renovation and extension in Bungendore, a cut roof and reroof project in Dalton, and involvement in the renovation and extension of the Royal Hotel in Bungendore.
Melzer H.C. Building Co. exists to carry forward a simple idea: respect the building, understand the materials, communicate clearly and leave behind work that lasts.