WAGGA builders have earned master status following their recognition at this year's NSW Master Builders Association awards night.
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Nine of the city's builders went home with top honours in their categories last Friday. Among them was Baden Lancaster who claimed the coveted title of Young Builder of the Year.
Mr Lancaster said the award "came as a surprise" and he was honoured to have his hard work recognised.
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The young builder, who is now 28-years of age, started his own business Lancaster Homes about seven years ago.
"I started my apprenticeship with my father in Queensland building expensive custom houses for clients up there. After meeting my wife who was from Wagga, I made the decision to move to the city," he said.
Relocating to a new city was tough in the beginning, said Mr Lancaster, who had to start his career from scratch following the move.
"The biggest challenge for me has been getting my name out there, especially because I was not local," he said. "I had to start from the very bottom and it was really tough, but it has paid off".
The director of Lancaster Homes always had his sights set on operating his own business and was pleased his ambition has paid off.
"It has always been on my mind since starting my apprenticeship," he said.
"The business got up and running in 2012, starting with extensions and renovations, but we brought a few new changes in 2016 when we partnered up with a house design team and got into the new housing market."
Zauner Construction, Premier Building and Construction and Gioia Gianniotis were also recognised as 'builders of the year'.