Best of Houzz is an annual award from the home-renovation platform Houzz, given to the professionals its community rates most highly for design or customer service.
View award source (opens in new tab)Public evidence profile · Checked May 2026
Designed By Catherine Finlay
Awards & recognition
1 independent award
Trust Score
37out of 100
- Rated 5.0 from 26 reviews
How this score is worked out
Rating5.0 / 5
Review volume26
Independent sources1 independent public source
CredentialsNo credentials shown yet
How this score is made up
What customers say31.1 of 60
Independent checks5 of 30
Track record1.3 of 10
See the independent checks
- Licences and credentials0 of 5
- Ways to reach them3.3 of 3.3
- Reviewed on more than one site0 of 5
- Registered company details0 of 5
- Photos of their work0 of 8.3
- Industry recognition1.7 of 3.3
Missing evidence lowers the score because we can't check it. It doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Claiming a profile never changes the score. Evidence context, not a guarantee of workmanship.
Independent recognition
Awards & recognition
These are independent third-party awards: recognition earned from review communities and trade bodies, never paid placement.
Source-listed gallery
1 photoPhotos listed on Houzz
These sources do not label every image as completed work. The gallery may include projects, people, logos or certificates, so it does not count as completed-work evidence.
Reviews · public evidence
What customers say
These review totals are published independently on the named public source below, not testimonials this business chose to show. We show the aggregate rating, review volume, and source attribution we hold so you can weigh the evidence yourself.
5.0out of 5
Project budget listed on Houzz$300,000 - $3,000,000
Where these reviews are published
- Houzz26 reviews · 5.0 avg
Local context
Rated 5.0, in line with the local average for builders in Sydney
Across 38 builders in Sydney, the typical rating is 4.9 out of 5. We compare against the same businesses a homeowner would find searching for this trade locally.
Sources
1 named public sourceWhere this information comes from
Everything on this page is drawn from named public sources. Where a source provides a public link, you can open the original and dig deeper.
Review sources
Public evidence last checked May 2026
About
Designed by Catherine Finlay is an award-winning design practice specialising in residential alterations and additions and new homes in the local area. I have 30 years of experience in the design field, with 24 years in residential design. My favourite aspect of my job is designing the solutions to my clients' brief. It's truly an exciting puzzle to solve, working with unique needs to create beautiful and functional homes. I can also provide assistance with interior design, bathroom design, kitchen design and sustainable design. We design all the documentation for council approval, then identify the best builders and supervise your project. With a concept to completion approach, we will have an open communication so you understand the process and are happy with everything. Create your beautiful, custom designed home with us.
Services they list
Building DesignCustom HomesDraftingEnergy-Efficient HomesFloor PlansHome AdditionsHouse PlansPool House Design & ConstructionSustainable DesignCustom Home
Listed on public sources or the business's own website; check directly that they cover your job before you book.
Your own checks
What to check before you hire
Worth checking yourself
Their public evidence comes from a single source. Look them up on another site before deciding.
No credentials are shown here and the business has not claimed this profile. Ask to see certificates and insurance directly.
Never pay a large deposit up front. Agree a staged payment schedule tied to completed milestones, and hold a small retention until snagging is done.
Get it in writing: an itemised quote with scope, materials, start and finish dates, and how any changes (variations) will be priced.
Be wary of a cash-only price or pressure to start tomorrow. Both are red flags for an unaccountable job.
Want an extra legitimacy check? Run the Dodgy Tradie Check on Designed By Catherine Finlay before you contact them.
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Common questions about Designed By Catherine Finlay
Is Designed By Catherine Finlay a legitimate business?
Designed By Catherine Finlay has 26 independent public reviews, rated 5 out of 5. This is independent public evidence gathered from named public sources (no ads, no paid placement), not a guarantee of workmanship. If anything here is out of date, the business can request a correction.
What do customers say about Designed By Catherine Finlay?
Designed By Catherine Finlay has 26 public reviews, averaging 5 out of 5. The reviews section shows the aggregate rating, review volume, and review source information we hold.
How do I know Designed By Catherine Finlay's reviews are genuine?
Designed By Catherine Finlay's 26 public reviews come from a named public review source. MyTrustedTraders brings this public evidence together with no ads and no paid placement: we show the review source information and aggregate rating we hold rather than selling rankings, so you can weigh the evidence for yourself.
Has Designed By Catherine Finlay won any awards?
Designed By Catherine Finlay holds 1 independent award, including 4× Best of Houzz winner (2023, 2022, 2021, 2019). These are third-party awards: recognition that has to be won, not self-issued.
What does Designed By Catherine Finlay specialise in?
Designed By Catherine Finlay lists specialist services including Building Design, Custom Homes, Drafting, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Home Additions. If your job is one of these, look for it in their listed services or ask them to confirm for your project.
What size of projects does Designed By Catherine Finlay take on?
Designed By Catherine Finlay lists a typical project range of $300,000 - $3,000,000 on Houzz. Treat this as a rough guide to budget fit, not a quote. Ask for a written estimate for your job.
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