Most construction company owners jumped at the chance when the Australian government offered $50,000 renovation grants. Not Cory Towers. While others rushed to sign contracts, he stuck to what worked – taking on fewer projects and doing them well. “I’d rather have two or three happy customers than 20 unhappy customers,” he says. That decision proved crucial when material costs soared and many builders couldn’t deliver on their fixed-price contracts.
Mastering Construction Skills
Cory didn’t start out planning to run a construction company. He bounced between industries – first working in smash repairs, then joining his uncle’s building business for three years. After that came a 12-year stretch with another builder, where he worked his way up from plastering and carpentry to supervising projects. When he finally struck out on his own, he started small. “Just any handyman sort of work, painting, whatever I could get my hands on,” Cory recalls. Those modest beginnings laid the groundwork for his current success running high-end residential projects.
The push toward quality started early, thanks to Cory’ experience in commercial construction. “We used to do a lot of office and shop fit-outs,” he explains. “Working with really high-quality materials gave me a good eye for detail.” That attention to detail now shapes every project his company tackles. For Cory, the real reward comes from watching clients’ reactions throughout the build. “I love actually seeing the look on customers’ faces when they get to see little bits and pieces of the project as it moves along,” he says.
Expanding into New Opportunities
What started as basic construction work has grown into a multi-faceted business. Noticing that most Queensland homes include pools, Cory expanded into pool construction. “We used to handle that in the whole construction phase,” he explains. “I realized how straightforward they are to manage since you’re coordinating other companies.” He’s also bought a 60-year-old building supply business, aiming to bring more services under one roof. These calculated moves reflect his overall approach: careful growth based on market needs and existing strengths.
Cory Towers’ Keys to Long-Term Success
Cory isn’t stopping there. His next step is setting up proper management across his companies. “We’re looking at putting in a general manager to handle day-to-day operations,” he says. This will free him to focus on bigger-picture decisions.
After 15 years running his own businesses, Cory credits three key factors for his success:
Take Smart Risks: “I’m not scared to give something a go,” he says. “Even though you make mistakes, as long as you learn from those mistakes and understand what went wrong and don’t make the same mistake again.”
Build Strong Systems: “Make sure you have all the processes in place for handling more work. Watch your cash flow. Make sure you have enough money to support growth,” Cory advises.
Focus on Quality: “I’d rather take on fewer projects each year and do them really well than grow too quickly and lose control of quality and cash flow.”
For anyone thinking about starting their own business, Cory acknowledges it’s not an easy path. “Business isn’t for everyone,” he says. “But I feel like I’ve just got that attribute where I just keep going and going and make it work.” His goal now? “If I can work four days a week and have three days off, I’ll be happy.” Given his track record of turning careful planning into success, don’t bet against him achieving it.
To learn more about Cory Towers’ construction services, visit his LinkedIn profile.