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The 8 best renovation builders in Brisbane

Brisbane builders who take on extensions, second storeys, raise and build under jobs and character home renovations. We checked every one of them on the QBCC licence register.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
8
Licences confirmed on the register
8 of 8
Average Google rating
4.6
Google reviews, combined
72
Builders paying to be here
None
  • LicenceA current QBCC builder licence, matched to the business.
  • ReputationIndependent reviews, awards and years trading.
  • Right kind of workExtensions, second storeys and raise and build under work shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

Renovation builders in Brisbane, ranked

These builders show structural renovation work on their own sites: extending, lifting and building under, adding a level, and reworking older timber homes. They're ranked on fit for that work, reputation and track record.

  1. 1

    SE Building Solutions

    Ashgrove. Inner Brisbane suburbs such as New Farm, Paddington, Bardon and Ashgrove, plus the southern Gold Coast

    5.0 from 26 Google reviews

    Best for architect-designed Queenslander renovations in inner Brisbane

    • Won Master Builders Brisbane renovation awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    • Director Stephen Epps stays closely involved by keeping a selective project load, the firm says.
    • Its process page sets out each stage, from the onsite meeting to handover.
    QBCC licence
    15144310 Checked
    Builds
    Extensions, Queenslander renovations, Architect-designed renovations, Custom homes
    Member of
    Master Builders Queensland
    More about SE Building Solutions

    SE Building Solutions is a residential builder led by Stephen Epps, who moved into construction after almost a decade in the military. Its featured projects are mostly renovations and extensions to character homes in suburbs like Paddington, New Farm, Gordon Park and Yeerongpilly, often built from plans by designers such as Michael and Ruysch.

    The firm says it prefers to come in early, giving buildability and budget input while the design is still developing. It has won Master Builders Brisbane renovation awards three years running, from 2022 to 2024, plus an individual home award in 2023.

    Awards: 2022 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation/Remodelling Project up to $200,000 (Albion), winner; 2023 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $650,000 to $1 million (Project Fork, Coorparoo), winner; 2023 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Individual Home $500,000 to $750,000 (Project Jensen, Banyo), winner; 2024 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $750,000 to $1 million (Project Gordon, Gordon Park), winner

    0415 772 983Visit website
  2. 2

    Papst Building Group

    East Brisbane. The Brisbane region

    5.0 from 7 Google reviews

    Best for Queenslander raise, build under and full renovations

    • Won Master Builders Brisbane renovation awards in 2023 (Yeronga) and 2024 (Bulimba).
    • Lists house raising and building in underneath as a core service.
    • Shows its licence number and ABN on its website.
    QBCC licence
    15039784 Checked
    Builds
    Raise and build under, Extensions, Queenslander renovations, Custom homes
    More about Papst Building Group

    Papst Building Group is an East Brisbane renovation and extension builder whose licensed builder is Joel Papst. Its website names house raising and building in underneath, full renovations and extensions, and Queenslander work as its main services across the Brisbane region, with custom homes also on offer.

    It won Master Builders Brisbane renovation awards in 2023, for a Yeronga home, and in 2024, for Casa Blanca in Bulimba. Its site also displays a 2024 state winner badge.

    Awards: 2023 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $200,000 to $400,000 (Ellesmere, Yeronga), winner; 2024 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $1 million to $2 million (Casa Blanca, Bulimba), winner; 2024 Master Builders Queensland Housing and Construction Awards: state winner (according to the firm)

    0491 625 757Visit website
  3. 3

    Swanson Constructions

    Capalaba. Redlands and south-east Brisbane, including Cleveland, Capalaba, Victoria Point, Mount Cotton and Point Lookout

    5.0 from 9 Google reviews

    Best for fixed-price renovations in the Redlands and bayside

    • Scopes each job before pricing it, then commits to a fixed price and a written completion date, the firm says.
    • Won the 2025 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award for a Toowong home.
    • Publishes typical timelines: 4 to 5 months for design and approvals, then 5 to 8 months to build.
    QBCC licence
    1233611 Checked
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations
    Member of
    Master Builders Queensland
    More about Swanson Constructions

    Swanson Constructions is a Capalaba renovation and extension builder founded by carpenter Rob Swanson, who the firm says has been building for twenty years, including years on high-end homes for other builders. It takes on medium to large renovations of homes people plan to stay in, mostly across the Redlands and Brisbane's south east.

    Its website sets out the process. Design, approvals and pricing come first, then construction, and the firm says work is scoped properly so it can carry a fixed price and a written completion date. The firm won a 2025 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award for its Grove project in Toowong.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $300,000 to $450,000 (Grove, Toowong), winner

    0489 080 958Visit website

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  5. 4

    Goad Building

    Pullenvale. Brisbane suburbs

    Best for high-end character home renovations across Brisbane

    • Won the 2025 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award for Princess House, Petrie Terrace.
    • Third-generation builder Barry Goad started the business with his wife Bec in 2016.
    • Builds rather than designs, and refers clients to trusted drafting and architecture partners.
    QBCC licence
    15057530 Checked
    Building since
    2016
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Character homes, Apartment renovations
    Member of
    Master Builders Queensland
    More about Goad Building

    Goad Building is a family renovation and extension business started in 2016 by Barry Goad and his wife Bec. Barry is a third-generation builder who trained in New Zealand and spent seven years supervising high-end renovations in London before moving to Australia in 2011, according to the firm.

    Recent projects include renovations in Samford Valley, Chapel Hill, Coorparoo and Petrie Terrace, and a New Farm apartment. The firm is clear that it builds rather than designs. Its Princess House project in Petrie Terrace won a 2025 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $750,000 to $1 million (Princess House, Petrie Terrace), winner

    0402 777 190Visit website
  6. 5

    Complete Home Extensions

    Ormeau. South East Queensland, including Brisbane and the Gold Coast

    4.3 from 16 Google reviews

    Best for extensions and second storey additions across South East Queensland

    • Focuses on extensions and second storey additions rather than general building.
    • Uses fixed-price contracts in most cases, based on approved plans, its FAQs say.
    • Handles design, council approvals and construction, with one project manager as contact.
    QBCC licence
    1261488 Checked
    Builds
    Extensions, Second storeys, Granny flats, Dual living
    Member of
    HIA, Master Builders Queensland
    More about Complete Home Extensions

    Complete Home Extensions is a family business led by father and son Michael and Chris Mellare, working across South East Queensland, Brisbane included, from Ormeau. The firm says it has worked in the region for more than 20 years. Its core work is home extensions, second storey additions and dual living or granny flat conversions.

    It runs a five-step process covering design, documentation and council approvals, construction and handover, with a dedicated project manager as the single point of contact. Its FAQs say most jobs run on fixed-price contracts based on approved plans. The firm states it belongs to both HIA and Master Builders.

    1300 309 751Visit website
  7. 6

    Axiom Construction Group

    The Gap. Brisbane

    4.9 from 8 Google reviews

    Best for house raising, build under and extensions

    • Offers house raising and building in underneath alongside extensions and renovations.
    • Won the 2024 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award for Avalon in Gordon Park.
    • Interior design is available in-house for renovation and extension clients.
    QBCC licence
    15068923 Checked
    Builds
    Raise and build under, Extensions, Renovations, Custom homes
    More about Axiom Construction Group

    Axiom Construction Group is a builder based at The Gap whose residential work covers renovations and extensions, house raising and building in underneath, and custom homes. It also takes on commercial and rural projects such as warehouses, sheds, sporting facilities and animal housing.

    A member of the team holds a diploma in interior design and offers full interior design to renovation and extension clients, according to the firm. Axiom's Avalon project in Gordon Park won a 2024 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award.

    Awards: 2024 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $450,000 to $600,000 (Avalon, Gordon Park), winner

    0400 634 754Visit website
  8. 7

    BC Davis Constructions

    Booval. Brisbane, with recent work in Annerley, Ashgrove and Fig Tree Pocket

    Best for renovations on sloping or tight-access sites

    • Won the 2024 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award for Highside Jacaranda, Annerley.
    • Takes on a limited number of projects each year so the director stays hands-on, the firm says.
    • Walks clients through an itemised quote in person before issuing a contract.
    QBCC licence
    15072174 Checked
    Builds
    Renovations, Heritage, Sloping blocks, Custom homes
    More about BC Davis Constructions

    BC Davis Constructions is a family-owned builder run by its director, Brad, a Brisbane local with a carpentry background. It works on renovations and custom homes, and the firm says its strengths are blending old and new, keeping heritage character, and handling hard sites with slopes or restricted access.

    The firm limits how many projects it takes each year. Its process starts with a meeting with the director, then an itemised quote explained in a follow-up meeting, then a contract with a set start date. Highside Jacaranda in Annerley won a 2024 Master Builders Brisbane renovation award.

    Awards: 2024 Master Builders Brisbane Housing and Construction Awards: Home Renovation Project $300,000 to $450,000 (Highside Jacaranda, Annerley), winner

    0410 077 731Visit website
  9. 8

    Marshall Renovations

    Woolloongabba. Brisbane

    3.5 from 6 Google reviews

    Best for budget-tracked renovations with a joint security account

    • Client funds sit in a joint security account, so spending stays visible.
    • An online estimating tool lets clients test their wish list against budget early.
    • Darren Marshall has been building for 31 years, according to the firm.
    QBCC licence
    15020393 Checked
    Builds
    Renovations, Queenslander renovations
    Member of
    Master Builders Queensland
    More about Marshall Renovations

    Marshall Renovations is a Woolloongabba builder led by Darren Marshall, who started labouring on his father's building sites at 13 and says he has been building for 31 years. It handles renovations of all sizes, including Queenslander renovations such as a Norman Park project finished in 2023, as well as new homes.

    The firm runs its jobs through the C2CPRO project management platform. Clients get an online estimating tool to test their wish list against their budget early, and project money is held in a joint security account so it stays on the job. It is a Master Builders member.

    0407 122 326Visit website

What a renovation costs in Brisbane

Indicative 2026 ranges. Your quote will turn on the age of the house, the block and how much of the old structure stays.

WorkTypical cost
Ground floor extension, outer and middle ring suburbs$2,500 to $5,000 per sqm
Ground floor extension, inner city character home$4,000 to $6,000 per sqm
Second storey addition (total)$200,000 to $500,000
Raise and restump to legal height$30,000 to $70,000
Build under conversion (enclose and fit out)$80,000 to $200,000
Kitchen renovation, mid-range$25,000 to $45,000
Bathroom renovation, mid-range$20,000 to $35,000

Extension, second storey and raise and build under figures are Queensland consumer guide ranges from The Quote Yard (May and September 2026). Kitchen and bathroom figures are Brisbane mid-range totals from What's The Damage (October 2026), including GST. All are indicative only and exclude land; ask each builder whether design, engineering and certifier fees are in the price.

Approvals for a Brisbane renovation

Structural work needs a building approval from a certifier. Some jobs also need planning approval from Brisbane City Council.

In Queensland a licensed building certifier assesses your plans, issues the building approval (a development permit for building work) and inspects the work at set stages. Your builder often engages a private certifier for you, but you can appoint one yourself.

Brisbane City Council says you need building approval before you start an extension, a house raise or a renovation. Planning approval is a separate question: you need it if your design doesn't meet all the acceptable outcomes of the Dwelling house code (or the small lot version). Internal-only renovations are unlikely to need it.

Pre-1947 houses and the character overlay

If your house is in the Traditional building character overlay and was built during or before 1946, Council says external extensions generally need planning approval, and work involving some demolition may be assessed against the overlay's demolition and design codes. Some smaller jobs may not need it, including enclosing under an existing house and raising a house where the new height doesn't exceed 9.5 metres. Council warns these rules can change, so have your certifier or designer check your lot before you lock in a design.

Every extension and renovation must also meet the Queensland Development Code. Where a design doesn't, for example on boundary setbacks, your certifier can ask Council for a referral response.

Rules that protect you in Queensland

Queensland's protections start at $3,300, lower than any other state, so they cover almost every renovation.

  • Licence: building work over $3,300 (labour, materials and GST) needs a QBCC licensed contractor. For an extension or a raise, the licence should be a builder class such as Builder low rise. How to check a licence.
  • Written contract: required for domestic work over $3,300. From $20,000 the builder must also give you the QBCC Consumer Building Guide before you sign.
  • Deposit cap: 10% for work from $3,301 to $19,999, and 5% for $20,000 or more. Up to 20% is allowed only where off-site prefabrication is more than half the price.
  • Cooling-off: 5 business days, starting the day after you receive the signed contract (and the Consumer Building Guide). Pulling out can cost you $100 plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
  • Progress payments: each one must match the work done. You shouldn't have paid more than 50% of the price, deposit included, until at least half the work is done.
  • Home warranty insurance: compulsory for residential work over $3,300. Your builder collects the premium and pays it to QBCC before work starts. It covers non-completion, defects the builder won't fix and subsidence, up to $200,000 for each category of loss. How home warranty insurance works.

Renovations uncover problems once floors and walls are opened, so read how your contract prices variations and provisional sums. Fixed price or cost plus covers the trade-off. If things go wrong, QBCC is the first stop: QCAT will only hear a domestic building dispute after QBCC has dealt with it.

Checked on QBCC pages in October 2026. The Building Reg Reno reforms rolling out since March 2025 haven't changed the $3,300 thresholds or the deposit caps.

Raising and renovating an older Brisbane house

Raise and build under is the classic Brisbane way to add space. Price it as two jobs.

Brisbane's older timber houses on stumps can often be lifted and built in underneath, which adds a full level without changing the roofline. That can help on character streets: Brisbane City Council lists enclosing under an existing house, and raising a house to no more than 9.5 metres, among the smaller jobs in the Traditional building character overlay that may not need planning approval.

Guide figures for Queensland put the lift and restump at about $30,000 to $70,000 and the enclosure and fitout of the new lower level at about $80,000 to $200,000. Together that's roughly $110,000 to $270,000, before design, engineering and approval fees.

Before you ask for quotes:

  • Find out whether your lot is in the Traditional building character overlay and roughly when the house was built.
  • Ask each builder for raise and build under jobs they've finished, with addresses or photos, not just new homes.
  • Ask who arranges the engineer, the certifier and any Council referral, and whether those fees are in the quote.
  • Ask how they'll price what they can't see yet, such as rotten stumps, termite damage or out of level floors, and whether that sits in a provisional sum or becomes a variation.
  • Check the quote includes new stairs, stormwater and moving services for the lower level.

More in questions to ask a builder.

Checking a Queensland builder's licence

It takes a couple of minutes, and it's the same check we ran for every builder above.

  1. Search the QBCC register

    Search by licence number, or by the person's or company's name. Use the number on the quote rather than the business name on the ute, because a trading name doesn't always match the licensee name. QBCC licensee register

  2. Check it is current

    The licence should show as current, not suspended or cancelled. The register shows the full licence history, so look for past suspensions or cancellations too.

  3. Check the class fits the job

    For a house, extension or renovation you want a builder class such as Builder low rise, Builder medium rise or Builder open. A trade licence (carpentry, for example) is not a builder licence.

  4. Match it to the contract

    The licensee name and number on the register should match the quote and the contract exactly. If you can't find them, call QBCC on 139 333 before you sign or pay anything. QBCC: find a licensed contractor

How we chose these builders

We started from builders working across Brisbane, then kept only those with a current QBCC licence, a clear record of renovation work on their own site, and a solid independent reputation. Order weighs fit for this kind of project, reviews and awards, years trading, and how openly each builder explains its process, licence and warranty. Size and advertising spend don't count.

No builder pays to be listed or ranked. If you request quotes through this page, we pass your project to builders that suit it. Read the full method.

Renovation builders in Brisbane: common questions

How much does it cost to raise and build under a house in Brisbane?

Queensland guide figures put the lift and restump at about $30,000 to $70,000 and the build under fitout at about $80,000 to $200,000, so roughly $110,000 to $270,000 all up. A basic rumpus and storage level sits at the low end; a level with a bathroom, kitchen or self contained space sits at the top.

Do I need council approval for an extension in Brisbane?

You always need building approval, which a private building certifier usually issues. You only need planning approval from Brisbane City Council if the design doesn't meet the Dwelling house code, or if the house is in the Traditional building character overlay and was built in or before 1946, where most external extensions need it.

Can I raise a character house in Brisbane without planning approval?

Possibly. Brisbane City Council lists raising a house to a new height of no more than 9.5 metres among the smaller works in the Traditional building character overlay that may not need planning approval. You still need building approval, and Council says these rules can change, so get your certifier to confirm for your lot.

How much does a second storey addition cost in Brisbane?

A typical second storey addition in Queensland runs about $200,000 to $500,000 in total. Where it lands depends on the size of the new level, how much of the existing frame needs strengthening, and the finish.

How much deposit can a Brisbane builder ask for?

For a renovation of $20,000 or more, no more than 5% of the contract price. For jobs from $3,301 to $19,999 the cap is 10%. The only exception is where off-site prefabrication makes up more than half the price.

Does a renovation need home warranty insurance in Queensland?

Yes, if the residential work is worth more than $3,300. The builder collects the premium from you and pays it to QBCC before work starts. Ask for proof it's been paid. More on home warranty insurance.

This list is a guide only. Check the builder's licence, insurance and contract yourself before you sign.