Almost nobody starts a renovation with a floor plan. They start with a nagging feeling that a room stopped working three years ago. Thompson Renovate Group helps homeowners in Ballarat and across the Central Highlands turn that feeling into a clear plan before demolition starts.
Thompson Renovate Group is a registered domestic builder and builder-led residential design practice for homeowners who want a room to work better and need a grounded plan to get there. We measure, draw, and talk through material choices before settling on a final contract figure, because a guess made early can become an expensive variation later. Bring your own ideas or an existing designer; we’ll work through the details together. Our design-build guidance is plainspoken, and we share real project pricing in Australian dollars so you can judge the trade-offs for yourself.
Paper saves money. It also makes the next decision easier.
A clear path through the work
The Four Stages You Will Actually Experience
Every project follows the same steps, whether we’re reworking one room or planning a larger renovation. Then the work begins.
01
Walkthrough and measurement
We look at how you use the space, measure the rooms, and note the conditions that could affect the plan.
02
Scope and budget alignment
We agree on a working budget band and a practical scope before choosing finishes.
03
Drawings, selections, and permits
We pin down the important decisions and permit requirements so the price has a firm basis.
04
Construction and close-out
You get weekly updates during the build and a signed defects list before the project is complete.
Notes from Central Highlands job sites
What Ballarat Houses Teach You
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Older Ballarat homes can hide scope behind the plaster
In older houses, a wall can conceal past repairs, uneven framing, or wiring that has changed over time. That’s why we check what we can before fixing the scope. If opening a wall is likely, we talk through the possible conditions and how they could affect cost before work starts. A measured plan gives you a better place to make that call.
Check for patched areas, sloping trim, or power points added in unusual spots. They’re clues to ask about during a walkthrough.
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Clay soil and drainage
Water that lingers near the foundation deserves attention before interior repairs begin.
After rain, look for standing water near downpipes.
roofing
Roof spaces and weather details
Insulation and exterior details both matter when a Ballarat winter sets in.
Check the ceiling manhole for draughts or visible gaps.
What homeowners remember
Words From Past Clients
“We knew what came next. The budget was explained before we chose finishes, and the weekly updates kept us from guessing when plans shifted.”
“The old plaster opened up a question we hadn’t expected. Thompson Renovate Group showed us the options, explained the cost change, and waited for our decision before moving on. That honesty made a stressful week manageable.”
Tell us what isn’t working, what you hope to change, and when you’d like to begin. We’ll walk the property with you and talk through scope, budget, and timing before you decide on next steps. We work in Ballarat, Buninyong, Creswick, and nearby communities.
