Verified Company
Very Disappointing Initial Consultation Experience
I was very disappointed with my experience with Risen Development.
I waited about a week, completed two enquiry forms, and booked a phone appointment specifically expecting to speak with Craig. Instead, I received a call from an office staff member who did not appear to have the building knowledge needed to discuss our project in any meaningful detail.
What surprised me most was that one of the first things I was told was that our project would cost over $500,000. This was before anyone had visited the property, inspected the existing house structure, reviewed our architectural plans in detail, or had a proper discussion with us about what we actually wanted to achieve.
We have spoken with other builders about the same project, and our experience has been very different. They have asked to review the architectural drawings, offered to meet us onsite to understand the existing structure, and discussed different options with us — including more cost-effective approaches as well as premium options.
Risen Development was the only builder we contacted that did not seem interested in meeting us onsite or exploring the project further before presenting such a significant budget figure.
The most frustrating part was that I had specifically made an appointment with Craig, but instead received a call from someone who was unable to have the detailed building discussion I had expected. After waiting a week, completing two forms and setting aside time for the appointment, I felt the process was a waste of my time.
Based on my experience, the initial consultation felt impersonal and unprofessional. Unfortunately, it left me with very little confidence to proceed further with Risen Development.
Very disappointing.
Reply from Risen Developments
2026.09.10
Hi Lanning,
We can see the process didn't match what you were expecting, and we hope we can provide some clarification.
Every prospective client, including yourself, completes the same enquiry form outlining their project and budget. Craig personally reviews each one before a call is booked. Initial calls are then handled by our sales team, who manage this step for every client and are well equipped to do so — based on the details you provided, Craig determined early on that this project wasn't the right fit for us, which is why we didn't proceed to an onsite visit.
We understand that's not the outcome you were hoping for, particularly after completing the form and setting aside time for the call. But we'd rather be upfront about fit at this stage than have both sides invest further time — onsite visits, drawings, detailed pricing — on a project we don't think we're the right builder for. That's the purpose of the process, and it's one every client goes through.
We wish you all the best with your build!
We can see the process didn't match what you were expecting, and we hope we can provide some clarification.
Every prospective client, including yourself, completes the same enquiry form outlining their project and budget. Craig personally reviews each one before a call is booked. Initial calls are then handled by our sales team, who manage this step for every client and are well equipped to do so — based on the details you provided, Craig determined early on that this project wasn't the right fit for us, which is why we didn't proceed to an onsite visit.
We understand that's not the outcome you were hoping for, particularly after completing the form and setting aside time for the call. But we'd rather be upfront about fit at this stage than have both sides invest further time — onsite visits, drawings, detailed pricing — on a project we don't think we're the right builder for. That's the purpose of the process, and it's one every client goes through.
We wish you all the best with your build!
