Good project photos show the finish. Our Ballarat-area renovation stories also show the decisions, schedule shifts, and price ranges behind it.
The middle matters.
A bright, practical kitchen shaped around how the family cooks and gathers.
BeforeAfter
Before and after · Kitchen
A Kitchen That Grew Into Its House
The original kitchen had a tight work aisle and a doorway that cut the room off from the dining area. We widened the opening, shifted the sink run to bring the window into view, and used a semi-custom cabinet line in a warm oak finish. A plumbing leak discovered behind the sink added repair work and a short schedule pause. The completed scope took 11 weeks on site, with an investment range of $78,000–$95,000 depending on appliance and finish choices.
Ballarat
11 weeks on site
$78k–$95k range
Bathroom
A Hall Bath With More Elbow Room
Moving the vanity made room for a wider shower. Typical scope: $30,000–$40,000.
Interior
Laundry Room to Mudroom
New storage and a relocated washer made a busy entry easier to use. $20,000–$32,000.
Exterior
Weatherboards and Trim That Fit the Old House
Rot repairs came before new weatherboards. Most similar scopes land at $35,000–$55,000.
Addition and finish
An Attic Set Up for Guests
Insulation, safe access, and built-ins shaped the scope. $65,000–$90,000.
The decisions behind the photos
Case Studies, Written Honestly
Open a project to see what changed, what we chose, and what affected the schedule or budget. Actual costs depend on the house and the final selections.
Creswick ensuite
A dated bath-and-shower layout became a step-in shower and double vanity.
Problem: The old bath took up floor space, while the vanity offered little storage. We kept the plumbing wall in place to control cost and reworked the fixtures within that footprint.
Selections: Porcelain tile gave the shower a stone look with less upkeep; a stock vanity kept the cabinetry allowance in check. A soft subfloor section was found after demolition and replaced before tile work began.
Timing and price: Eight weeks on site, including the repair and shower-glass lead time. The finished scope was $38,000–$48,000.
A small rear addition created a place to gather without losing the backyard.
Problem: The family had outgrown the original living room but wanted to keep the extension modest. We matched the roofline to the existing house and faced the main windows north, toward the garden.
Selections: Engineered oak flooring tied the new room to the old hallway. Standard-sized double-glazed windows kept the order straightforward. Heavy rain delayed excavation, so the footing work moved back by nine working days.
Timing and price: About five months from site work to finish, with a final range of $150,000–$190,000 based on foundation conditions and finish level.
Sound existing cabinets stayed; the money went to the surfaces used every day.
Problem: The cabinet boxes were in good shape, but the benchtops, lighting, and sink had reached the end of their useful life. Keeping the cabinet layout avoided moving plumbing and electrical runs.
Selections: A durable porcelain benchtop was chosen over natural stone for predictable maintenance. The homeowner kept the existing flooring and chose a new splashback after seeing the benchtop sample in the room.
Timing and price: Four weeks of work, with a brief benchtop-template delay. The project finished at $28,000–$38,000.
