Han & Can take out the win!

This week’s winners were Han and Can, who scored an impressive 29 points with their daring, statement-making design. Their main ensuite featured a show-stopping amber resin bath with matching twin basins, paired with soft tones and clever panelling. The judges were blown away, praising the room as bold, theatrical and beautifully balanced.

Stunning designs across all homes!

While Han and Can took the crown, every team delivered standout bathrooms:

• Emma & Ben impressed with a bold maroon-hued palette and curved wall feature, earning praise as “ones to watch.”
• Mat & Robby wowed with thousands of travertine tiles, creating a luxe, high-end feel.
• Sonny & Alicia went minimalist with a concrete bath and clever new layout, again proving themselves as budget-savvy strategists.
• Britt & Taz delivered a spa-inspired wet room, overcoming design challenges to create a calming retreat.

Each ensuite brought a unique personality to the competition, showcasing creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.

Adding warmth behind the scenes

Bathrooms are among the most technically demanding spaces to build on The Block. That’s why our O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing team was on site to ensure every ensuite wasn’t just beautiful, but functional and comfortable too. The installation of Hotwire underfloor heating across all bathrooms means each space now combines striking design with everyday luxury.

Congratulations to Han & Can on their well-deserved win, and to all the contestants for delivering such impressive, stylish ensuites. We look forward to seeing what they create next as the competition heats up!

Learn more about Hotwire underfloor heating – yep, you can have it in your home too! Catch up on last week’s main bathroom reveals here.

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Here’s a look at each bathroom from the final reveal.

House 5’s Robby and Mat took out the Week 1 win with a score of 26.5/30!

All bathrooms on The Block were fitted with Hotwire underfloor heating, expertly installed by the O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing team.

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We’ve teamed up with Hotwire Heating to bring energy-efficient underfloor heating to multiple homes featured on the show – and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of Australia’s favourite renovation series!

From bathrooms to sleek kitchen floors, we’ve been behind the scenes installing the latest in heating technology that’s all about comfort, style and smart living.

What are we installing

We’re fitting Hotwire Heating under-tile and in-screed heating systems, a game-changing solution for those chilly mornings. These systems are:

· Quick to heat – in just 30–60 minutes

· Energy-efficient – using low wattage and smart thermostats

· Smart-home compatible – with touch-screen and Wi-Fi enabled thermostats

· Safe and sleek – installed completely under the surface, with built-in safety features

As accredited Hotwire installers, our team ensures every installation meets the highest standards so all you feel is warm, even heat.

Our Role on The Block

From planning through to install, O'Brien Electrical Bendigo worked closely with contestants to deliver tailor-made comfort in several of this year’s stunning homes.

· Floor heating (think bathrooms, kitchens and living zones)

· Custom solutions matched to each room’s layout and finishes

· Smart thermostat integration for personalised, zone-by-zone temperature control

· On-screen action! You might even spot the Bendigo team during the show!

Five benefits of Hotwire products you’ll love!

1. Even heat, everywhere
Unlike traditional heaters that blast hot air in one spot, floor heating gently radiates warmth from the ground up, evenly across the room, for a perfectly balanced climate.

2. Energy efficiency that makes sense
Because the heat rises slowly and steadily, you can set it at a lower temperature and still feel toasty – especially when paired with a Wi-Fi smart thermostat.

3. Comfort that feels luxe
There’s nothing quite like stepping out of bed or the shower onto a warm floor. It’s comfort without the clutter, no bulky radiators, vents or cold spots.

4. Healthier air, healthier homes
Floor heating doesn’t circulate dust or allergens, making it ideal for allergy sufferers or anyone with asthma. No ducts = no nasties.

5. Designed for real life
Whether it’s your bathroom, ensuite, living room or kitchen underfloor heating is a sleek solution that fits right in. Add a heated towel rail and you might never leave your bathroom. (Fair warning!)

Ready to heat things up?

Explore underfloor heating for your home or next project by getting in touch with your local O’Brien electrician or plumber to complete your Hotwire Floor Heating Installation today.

We’re proud to deliver quality, innovation and comfort – just like you’ll see on The Block.

Tune into The Block on Channel 9 to see our team in action!

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What began in 1990 as a modest one-man plumbing business has grown into a dynamic, award-winning operation employing over 35 staff and serving Queensland’s southeast with professionalism and pride.

Humble Beginnings with a Ford Galaxie and a Vision

The journey began when Peter traded a Ford Galaxie car for plumbing work — inspiring the original business name, Galaxy Plumbing. With an ex-Telstra van and a strong work ethic, Peter, joined by lifelong mates and his wife Madonna, tackled local maintenance jobs, blocked drains, and even home renovations during quiet spells. As Madonna recalls, “I’d come home from work to find the laundry gone… his explanation? ‘We weren’t busy today.’”

These early chapters reflect the DIY spirit and bold determination that would shape the business for decades to come.

Building a Family and a Business

From their Holland Park home, Peter and Madonna raised their three children — Rachel, Sam, and Nicole — while growing the business and training apprentices like Michael Spragg, who would go on to run his own successful O'Brien Electrical & Plumbing business in Gumdale. 

As demand increased, they expanded from domestic maintenance to new home builds for names like Australand and Coral Homes. In 2000, they began taking on commercial work, starting with St Augustine’s School in Springfield. They are now experts in responsive maintenance in both plumbing and electrical.

Each time they moved family homes, which also acted as the business HQ — from Holland Park to Mansfield to Rochedale — reflected not just growth, but a commitment to keeping family, business, and values at the heart of their success.

The final move was to separate home and business: the business moved to rented offices at Salisbury and then to the current Coopers Plains location which Peter and Madonna purchased and renovated to suit the business requirements. The family moved back to Holland Park up the road from where it all began!

Innovation and Evolution Through the O’Brien Network

Joining the O’Brien and Laser Network in 2016 was a pivotal decision that introduced streamlined systems and software upgrades, business reviews, and — perhaps most importantly — a rich network of peers across the country.

Over the last nine years, Madonna and Peter have built deep friendships within the Network — reconnecting with old colleagues and forging new bonds with members from Sydney, Newcastle, and beyond. The camaraderie and knowledge-sharing that comes with being part of the O’Brien and Laser Network has not only strengthened their operations but reinforced their belief in continuous learning and improvement.

Their efforts culminated in a proud achievement in 2024 — being named O’Brien Business of the Year.

Together, Peter and Madonna have trained 66 apprentices, employed over 400 people, and created a legacy that spans generations. They have always kept their people at the core, whether they are team, family or friends.

Supporting Mental Health Through TIACS

One of the most meaningful aspects of O’Brien Electrical and Plumbing Coopers Plains’ story is their passionate support for TIACS (This Is A Conversation Starter) — a not-for-profit mental health support service tailored to tradespeople.  TAICS is partly funded by TradeMutt.

TIACS offers free professional counselling for those in blue-collar industries. In the past two years, the Coopers Plains team raised $8,000 for TIACS, adding to their fundraising and awareness efforts through raffles and supplier-supported events. An amazing effort.

Their advocacy ensures that mental health remains a priority in an industry that often doesn’t talk about it enough — and their support reflects the business’s core value: people matter most.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the last 35 years, Madonna said it best: “We need to be proud of what we have achieved.” From training future leaders, growing a vibrant business, and staying true to their roots, O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Coopers Plains continues to embody everything the Network values — family spirit, professionalism, and heart.

Congratulations to Peter, Madonna, and the entire Coopers Plains team. We’re honoured to celebrate this incredible milestone with you.

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Our ability to be there for our customers rain, hail or shine, 24/7, is an integral part of what sets us apart.

As O’Brien Glass® has grown, so has our reach. Yet we remain highly committed to what makes our service so great.

So, to best service the collective Newcastle and Central Coast region in northern NSW, we now have TWO teams dedicated to helping their fellow locals.

Under the expert guidance of Branch Manager, Tony Wilson, we have established O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast.

This means that, if you’re in northern NSW, when you call or reach out online to O’Brien Glass®, you will be directed to the nearest local technician to you.

Your Newcastle & Central Coast glazing teams are here to help and can get to you quickly.

Local expertise servicing their local communities.

O’Brien Glass® has been a fixture in the Central Coast & Hunter region for over four decades, providing expert glazing services and upholding Australian glazing standards.

With the two teams active, both regions can rely on dedicated locals who know the area well and have a genuine desire to serve their community.

Our Central Coast team operate locally with the support of the O’Brien Glass® warehouse in Gosford, allowing the local team to service the Hawkesbury River area, down to southern Central Coast and as far West as the Hunter Valley region.

With the Central Coast being looked after, the team of Newcastle locals can more effectively service their Newcastle community. They now focus up to Tea Gardens and Nelson Bay, and right out to Maitland.

Involvement in our communities

O’Brien Glass® is a nationally recognised brand that operates as a local business.

That’s because our entire O’Brien Glass® team values their involvement in their respective local communities. We’ve developed a tight-knit network of trusted local professionals who enable us to confidently support clients with recommendations and referrals.

“I love that I’m now more focused on servicing my local area. It’s so nice to keep coming across familiar faces and it’s rewarding knowing that I’m giving back to my community” – Andrew King, Glazier at O’Brien Glass® Central Coast

The locals from our O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams are all active members of their communities.

For instance, our Central Coast team have enjoyed involvement in the support of the Wyong Lions Club charity events and the Newcastle team has helped their local Foodbank branch to make a difference in their community.

There for you 24/7, in an emergency.

O’Brien Glass® offers 24/7 emergency glass replacement services.

Both our O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams are always available to assist with your glass needs!

With local glaziers on call in both regions, we are ready to respond swiftly to urgent home or business needs. We always aim to arrive promptly, to repair or ‘make safe’, giving you peace of mind any time of the day.

We are committed to customer satisfaction

The genuine, customer-focused approach of the O’Brien Glass® Newcastle and O’Brien Glass® Central Coast teams reflects their commitment to quality service.

Our Customer Service Administrator, Kathy Penfold, received the 2023 Standout Individual Award, reflecting 25 years of outstanding service to our local communities.

Our branch has received the National Platinum Award for Safety, acknowledging our dedication to the safety of our team and our customers.

We’re proud to say that:

• Our Net Promoter Score (NPS) is consistently high;
• We enjoy amazing customer feedback and;
• We have a combined customer satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Google.

Reach out to an O’Brien glazier near you!

At O’Brien Glass®, we are dedicated to servicing the needs of our customers, no matter where they may be.

With 100 years of experience in Glass services and a lifetime guarantee on all workmanship for the life of your home or building, you can trust in our compliant, high-quality glass and professional 24/7 customer service support.

To contact your local team, click the links below

For O’Brien Glass® Newcastle please click here

For O’Brien Glass® Central Coast please click here

Or to speak with a friendly representative call us on 1800 059 829.

The post O’Brien Glass® Newcastle & O’Brien Glass® Central Coast Spotlight: Local experts serving the wider community appeared first on O'Brien.

In operation for over 40 years, the local O'Brien Glass^® branch is committed to offering high-quality glazing and emergency glass repair services to the Central Coast and Newcastle community through their team of glass experts.

Michael Rolls, Branch Manager, recently shared his team’s experience working across the region and how they continue to deliver exceptional services to their many customers.

Here’s what he had to say.

Meet your local O'Brien Glass^® team

The Newcastle & Central Coast NSW region has an abundance of beautiful beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and rolling hills.

With this stunning backdrop and relaxed lifestyle, it’s no surprise the team of seven O'Brien^® glaziers all love to be out and about on the road.

Michael said, “Aside from this, we all love being able to meet different people and have friendly interactions whilst providing exceptional glazing service to our clients.”

It’s a real team effort, across the crew of ten, with Michael and two office staff keeping things running smoothly – ordering stock, helping customers and everything in-between. Altogether, the team has over 160 years of combined experience in the glass replacement industry! This makes them incredibly reliable experts when it comes to emergency glass repairs and replacement needs.

“We also have two staff who recently completed their apprenticeship. Today, they’re now thriving, qualified glaziers and making a great contribution to the Newcastle community with their skills,” Michael adds.

Working together within the Newcastle community

Working for so long as part of the Newcastle region goes beyond providing prompt and efficient glazing services. Over the years, the team has also built a network of trusted local business partners and complementary service providers.

These fostered connections with other industry experts, such as painters and carpenters, have enabled the O'Brien^® team to give clients suitable recommendations and referrals to professionals within the local area, allowing them to fully support customers and work collaboratively with everyone in the community.

“It’s great being an active part of the business landscape here in Newcastle,” said Michael. “It means we all can help each other to help more customers.”

No job is too big or small for your local O'Brien Glass^® team

The glazing experts at the O'Brien Glass^® Central Coast & Newcastle branch provide a wide range of services across the NSW North Coast – from Gosford to the Hunter Valley to Newcastle and surrounds. As part of their ongoing commitment to their local community, here are some of the glazing services they offer customers:

1. 24/7 emergency glass replacement service

Glass breakage can happen at any time and can cause security and safety risks. That is why the team will always try to respond quickly at any time of the day or night.

“We have at least 2 of our local glaziers who are always on call every night and over the weekend. Once we receive a call from a customer, we try to respond immediately and be on site within an hour or less to provide emergency glass replacement,” Michael said.

2. Award-winning service

O'Brien^® strives each and every time to provide quality service and is always open to customer feedback. The Central Coast & Newcastle team is no exception.

“True to the ‘O'Brien^® DNA, our branch has been a great performer and has won several internal awards. Our NPS rating, which is driven by our customer feedback, is consistently over 85%, and in fact, several times, that has been the highest amongst the ‘O'Brien^® branches in the country,” Michael said.

This is a clear testament to how your local O'Brien Glass^® team truly values the quality of service they provide to customers – no matter how big or small the job may be.

Here is some of the feedback provided by their local customers:

“I had a call for a pet door with O'Brien. Very helpful and knowledgeable team who were able to advise me on the best options for my home. Pricing was provided over the phone and the team were happy to schedule the appointment around my schedule as needed. Would be happy to recommend for home or business. Thanks”

– Sean P

“O'Brien Glass responded quickly arrived on time and were very courteous and professional. Their communication throughout the whole process was exceptional.”

– Brian M

“Prompt response very polite and friendly staff. Excellent customer service”

– Russell C

Got broken glass? O'Brien Glass^® is here to help

Servicing across North Coast NSW region, you can rely on your local O'Brien^® glazing experts to help – whether you need a simple glass replacement or 24/7 emergency service.

Click here to connect to O'Brien Glass^® Newcastle & Central Coast

For more information about our services, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with one of our friendly staff.

The post O’Brien Glass® Newcastle & Central Coast Team In Focus: Locals Servicing Locals appeared first on O'Brien.

When severe storms hit anywhere across Australia, O'Brien^® needs to respond with lightning speed – so to speak.

The main priority is always our customers and ensuring that all incoming enquiries and calls for help are answered efficiently, and solutions are provided to those in need as soon as possible.

Nowadays, strong storms and extreme weather patterns are a regular occurrence that affects homes and businesses, vehicles, and the people within them.

It’s reassuring to know that your local experts are there to help when these things happen.

Here’s a sneak peek into how the O'Brien^® team works when a major storm event hits.

Rising through adversity in response to storms across the country

Towards the end of October 2021, South Australians faced what locals described as a “freak” tornado, followed by a hailstorm in the Adelaide Hills.

O'Brien^® once again rose to the challenge, working together to provide support to those customers across Adelaide that were impacted.

While the Bureau of Meteorology had warned of severe storms approaching, nothing could have prepared locals for the destruction brought about by the extreme weather that hit. The tornado uprooted trees and destroyed powerlines, resulting in hundreds of thousands of households being left without power.

The hailstorm caused devastating damage to properties and rural communities. As the storm tore through crops, farms and greenhouses, reports of hail damage to doors and windows, as well as car windscreens, flooded into the O'Brien^® call centre.

While this was already an overwhelming time for O'Brien^® as the call centre team worked day and night to respond to the thousands of calls, COVID-19 restrictions continued to make it difficult for both local and interstate response teams and volunteer groups to join the cause and help manage the situation accordingly.

O'Brien^® streamlines response to help those impacted

As part of our commitment to the local community, we want our customers to know that O'Brien^® will always be there during times of need.

In working to overcome the challenges that storms present, O'Brien^® implements its Storm Response protocol that helps to provide seamless and immediate assistance to customers.

Within moments of a storm impacting a region, the Storm Response Team gathers to implement a predetermined plan based on various scenarios. These plans are reviewed regularly, particularly in the lead up to summer, and teams are trained thoroughly on the process, so they are at the ready.

The O'Brien^® team then identify and address the calls that require an immediate response. All divisions of O'Brien^®, including AutoGlass, Glazing, Electrical and Plumbing collaborate and pool their resources together to respond accordingly.

As an example, the O'Brien^® Customer Solutions team, answer the phones and take the details of those who need assistance. These call patterns also give us valuable insight into where a storm has hit the hardest, providing us with an initial indication of where to direct resources as a priority. If there is a peak in inbound traffic, other areas of the O'Brien^® group, such as Marketing and Human Resources, will also assist in answering calls where required.

Once job details are confirmed, the Customer Solutions team, alongside a task force that includes staff and branch personnel in affected areas, work on establishing bookings.

Depending upon border restrictions, teams of pre-selected technicians are flown in from across the country, to the impacted area, to support and get customers back on the road as quickly as possible.

This was the case with the storms that hit South Australia in late October last year. The O'Brien^® Operations team even set up a pop-up site in the most affected areas to help provide additional support. This move proved crucial as main roads and highways were blocked by flooding and debris.

In the past, we’ve even called upon our international colleagues. So, teams from as far away as the USA and Germany have dropped everything to fly to Australia and support our customers. And given all technicians are training the same 42 steps process for replacing a windscreen, O'Brien^® ensures the same high standard quality of service our customers demand.

Proven emergency response system at the ready

To help complement this process, O'Brien^® has created a storm response page that provides the community with the information they need to help them stay safe during these severe weather events. The page also directs those affected to an online storm damage booking form, providing an alternative for those in need to make a booking for repairs and assistance when the phone lines are busy.

Interested in some handy tips to keep prepared during storm season? Click here

Having experienced and managed many intense weather events across Australia to date, O'Brien^® is continuously finding improvements and new ways to manage storms both internally and for our customers to provide the highest level of service possible.

Since its establishment, our streamlined storm response process has proved to be a significant help to thousands of Australians amidst challenging times. Looking ahead, O'Brien^® is confident we can deal with what the Australian climate has in store for us.

Amidst the extra shifts and the many hours of overtime resulting from storm events, the team at O'Brien^® are always left enriched, satisfied, and proud of the support they provide for those in need by working together.

O'Brien^® – always ready to provide a lending hand

With over 95 years of experience, our expertise in quality service makes us Australia’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement company, no matter what the circumstances.

For more information about our services, call our team on 1800 059 829, or send us a message. We’re here to help you.

The post How O’Brien Manages Storm Events Across Australia appeared first on O'Brien.