FAQ.

Most of our projects sit within 25km of the CBD, but we're happy to work further afield for larger projects, get in touch and we'll let you know if we can help.

Yes. Topbuild Group holds a Low Rise Builder licence (No. 15279833), full public liability ($20mil), contract works and home warranty insurance. We're also members of Master Builders Queensland.

A new build typically runs 9–18 months on site, following 2–4 months of pre-construction (Design, Engineering & Consents). Renovations vary widely depending on scope, but most fall between 6 and 9 months.

We quote a fixed price contract. Refer to our Pricing page for the most detailed explanation of how this works, what's included and how variations, allowances and provisional sums are handled.

It's completely understandable to be cautious about sharing your budget, as many clients worry it could lead to inflated pricing. We are not one of those builders. We don't share your budget with trades, and we don't take commissions from suppliers or subcontractors. As a business, our goal is to win your project, and it wouldn't make sense for us to price ourselves out of the job, which can be easy to do in the current financial climate. Our fixed-price contracts break down all the costs and include a clear list of inclusions, so the numbers are transparent.

Whilst it's generally true that the earlier you start, the more you can save in the long term as construction costs and prices generally continue to rise over time, we understand that different stages of life often come with competing financial priorities. That's why we work with our clients to find practical solutions that align with both their long-term goals and their current financial circumstances.

We've worked with clients who came to us with architect-designed dream renovations, a major project involving raising an existing home and adding more than 240m² across two levels. While the design met their long-term vision, their available budget was limited to around $400,000 due to other financial commitments.

In these situations, we work closely with both the client and their architect to develop a staged construction approach. Together, we identify the most important elements of the project and prioritise works that deliver the greatest immediate benefit. This may involve completing major structural components, such as raising the house and creating usable space underneath, while also refreshing key living areas to improve functionality and lifestyle.

The remaining stages can then be completed in the future when timing and finances allow, enabling clients to progress towards their overall vision without overextending themselves financially.

• •A Clear Construction Schedule. Once your contract is signed, you'll receive a detailed construction schedule outlining each stage of the build and your anticipated handover date, helping you plan ahead and make alternative accommodation arrangements if required.
• •Realistic Timeframes and Reliable Delivery. Our schedules are prepared with realistic allowances for normal construction variables, including weather delays and unforeseen works that can arise when renovating existing homes. Through careful planning and proactive project management, we consistently deliver projects on schedule.
• •Vast Experience. With nearly two decades in the industry, Mitch has experience across both high-volume residential construction and complex custom projects. The combination of this experience providing the skill set to work efficiently while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and personalised service expected in a custom-built home.
• •Honest Advice, Your Decision. Whether we're discussing a new concept or problem-solving an unexpected finding within the existing structure, we'll provide professional insight, explain the available options and outline the pros and cons of each approach. You'll always receive honest, practical advice, and we'll never recommend spending money on something that doesn't add genuine value to your project. From there, the decision is yours, we'll proceed with the solution that best aligns with your preferences, priorities, and budget.
• •Practical Livability Insight. Having worked alongside many designers and across a wide variety of homes, we can suggest small design refinements that make a significant difference to everyday living, from storage and circulation to natural light and outdoor spaces.
• •Resale-Aware Decisions. We'll help you understand which choices are likely to add value and which may not provide a meaningful return, allowing you to invest where it counts and avoid unnecessary expense.
• •We're On Site, Every Working Day. With 20+ trades often contributing to a single build, delivering a quality outcome is as much about coordination as it is craftsmanship. Our role is to oversee the project, ensure work is completed in accordance with the plans, and manage the many details that can easily be overlooked between construction stages.

If this sounds like the kind of build you want, get in touch.

Absolutely. Two thirds of our projects come with an existing design.

No, for some projects, engaging an architect is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, a good draftsman will do the job. We've worked with plenty of both, so we're happy to recommend someone who fits your scope (no commission either way).

Yes. Restoration of Queenslander and pre-war timber homes is one of our core disciplines. We hold the joinery skills in-house to match original profiles and trims.

Every bank handles construction lending a little differently, so the first step is always a conversation with your lender about how they want the funds released.

Our recommendation is to introduce us to your broker or lender early so the contract, drawdown schedule and construction schedule are all aligned before signing, it avoids delays at the start of the build.

It depends on the scope, but for most substantial renovations the honest answer is yes, at least for part of the build. Living on site through a major build is possible, but it's slower, more expensive and significantly harder on the family than most people expect.

For anything beyond a single-room renovation, we'll talk through the trade-off with you early. Sometimes a slightly shorter, more intensive program with the family off-site costs less overall than a longer, occupied build, and it's almost always easier on the household.

The first thing most people are told to do is "check the QBCC licence." It's worth doing, but to be honest about what it actually proves: the builder has paid their fee, lodged their financials, and hasn't (yet) been formally disciplined. That's the floor, not a quality signal.

The QBCC register is a basic background check, not a recommendation. The builders worth hiring in Brisbane are almost always found through people who have already built with them, clients, designers and trades.

On paper, owner-building looks like a way to save the builder's margin. In practice, there are the following issues:

• •As an owner builder, you are personally liable for statutory defects in the work for 6.5 years after the build is complete. From 1 August 2025, any owner builder works must be disclosed on a Form 2 on sale of a home and this can negatively impact re-sale price.
• •Builders receive commercial discounts on materials of up to 30% that owner builders are unable to access, this saving significantly offsets the builders margin that the owner builders hope to save.
• •A builder uses tried and tested trades that are hard for an owner builder to access as they book out months in advance and prioritise builders who give them repeat work, rather than one-off jobs.
• •As an owner builder you will need to take out additional insurance to cover the existing structure during the build as comprehensive home policies do not cover the home during renovation. These insurances are usually pretty hefty due to the risk and extended timeframe for completion of works by owner builders. Builders carry this insurance cover as a standard. In addition to covering the existing structure, you will also need to have insurance cover for the trades working onsite, if a trade is injured on your site or damages a neighbour's property, the exposure sits with you.
• •Builders know quality work, we can't be smooth talked if something is wrong or not of the required standard. If you're at work when the plumber is laying pipe or the electrician is running cable, you won't see defects in the work, and that can be very costly in time and money. We're onsite everyday, checking each detail as it is completed.
• •Banks look less favourably on lending to owner builders, unless you are drawing out cash against equity. If you run short during the project, it can be difficult to borrow against a renovation in progress.
• •Time saved, the builder sequences 15–30 different trades in the right order so nobody is standing around or working over the top of someone else. If you get the order wrong or a provision isn't made for a weather event that delays a trade, this cascades through every trade after it and can blow the schedule out by months. Most owner-builders underestimate the daily site management load by a factor of three or four. It is effectively a part-time job for the duration of the build.
• •With a builder you have a single point of accountability if something goes wrong, one phone call, no back and forth with trades saying the other trade is responsible.
• •Runs the program day-to-day on site, chasing materials, solving clashes between trades, dealing with disgruntled neighbours, we know the process, council regulation and we're confident fixing any issues that arise.

Organising your own trades can work for a small cosmetic project, painting, a vanity swap, a deck refresh. For anything structural, anything requiring approvals, or anything you intend to live in long term, the cost of a builder is almost always less than the cost of doing it yourself once time, risk and rework are counted.

Risks mentioned in the previous answer aside, we have worked with many owner builders and are happy to assist you with your project. Send us an enquiry to get our Owner Builder information pack, where we detail how to limit risk, the necessary caution to take, recommended stages of the build, and what to watch out for along the way.

A removal home can be a smart way into a beautiful character Queenslander, but there are obvious risks and a sizable list of compulsory works before you can live in it. We've outlined these in brief below, for a detailed cost guide, request our Information Pack via the contact page.