Tony Ricciardello is the Managing Director of Weststyle, a family company with an unwavering commitment to quality. Weststyle’s success over the past 38 years has solidified their impeccable reputation for high quality, luxury award winning custom homes and client satisfaction.
Tony has recently been appointed President of the Housing Industry Association WA region following two years in the position of Vice President and time previously spent as Chairman of the HIA Technical Committee. “I am proud and excited to be appointed President of the HIA WA region, I come into this role with much gusto and a fresh enthusiasm to tackle the next two years. As we move beyond the post-covid cycle, there are challenges that lay ahead in the construction industry but I am optimistic and believe that as President I can work effectively with our Executive Director Michael McGowan and the HIA team to achieve positive progress.”
“Like many in the industry, I grew up on building sites, developing an innate knowledge of how they moved and worked. Joining the industry as an 18 year old and going into business with my family to start Weststyle a year later, I learned as much as I could from my father and mentor, Tindaro. My team thrives on the modern challenges of contemporary construction the needs and desires of a variety of clients.”
It is the company’s relentless pursuit of the creation of truly exceptional architecturally-designed homes that enables Weststyle to successfully tackle the challenges of a custom designed home. Tony explains, “Clients work closely with our in-house architect and design team, to create their unique custom home.”
“We are seeing aspects of the construction industry settle now, we went through material price rises of between 30-40% on categories such as timber and steel. Supply chain issues have dissipated, material and labour prices have stabilised but we won’t see them come back down to pre-COVID times. The current issue is around labour shortage, we still have a serious amount of work in the WA building pipeline for the next 12-24 months and we will feel the pinch with trade availability.”
“There are areas of the construction industry that are still volatile, but pricing and labour shortages aside we are also dealing with a lot of Work Healthy and Safety laws that have come into effect. Falls from heights, high risk work licenses, density codes, are just a few critical items that the industry are processing. The National Construction Code 2022 is now delayed by three years, it will come commence February 2025. This will bring significant challenges for all involved as we adopt these changes whilst concurrently balancing our businesses and their own challenges.”
“In regards to the shortage of skilled labour, the State Government and the HIA are doing all the right things focusing on apprenticeships and training for our workforce. Pre-apprenticeships and the future of our workforce is critical if we want to be able to manage the 20,000 homes that are currently under construction.”
“There is now so much information to be across, changes to be abreast of, and responsibility to hold, that I believe the role of HIA, as the peak industry body for the housing industry, is more important than ever in providing the support, information and resources to allow members to focus on the delivery and quality of the work that makes them so proud and delivers the quality outcomes their clients deserve.”
Matthew is a Site Supervisor with over 10 years’ experience in luxury, bespoke residential construction. His career has seen him manage a wide range of high-end residential and commercial projects, while also sharing his expertise as a Building Studies lecturer at North Metro TAFE.
A Registered Building Practitioner with a Diploma of Building and Construction, Matthew is recognised for his strong communication, collaborative approach, and commitment to quality outcomes. In 2017, he was a finalist in the Ric New Rising Star Awards, a reflection of his drive and dedication to the industry.
Matthew thrives on problem-solving and enjoys working closely with architects, engineers, and trades to deliver projects that are both unique and of the highest standard. For him, the greatest reward is seeing happy clients at the end of the build, achieved through his “one team, one dream” style of collaboration.
With over 25 years of experience across the building industry, Simon brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a calm, solutions-focused approach to his role as Maintenance Supervisor at Weststyle. Holding a Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery, his career has spanned a wide range of trades.
For the past decade, Simon has worked as a full-time maintenance contractor and supervisor, honing his skills in problem-solving and attention to detail. His relaxed yet professional nature allows him to communicate effectively and build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Simon enjoys the variety that comes with maintenance work, no two days are ever the same, and takes pride in working on Weststyle’s beautiful homes and meeting the wonderful clients behind them. Always prepared and ready for any situation, Simon approaches each job with care, precision, and a genuine dedication to quality.