Apartment & Unit Renovation FAQs

Yes — almost always. Any renovation that touches common property, plumbing, waterproofing, structural walls, or anything that affects other lots requires body corporate approval. This is the single biggest difference between renovating an apartment and a house, and it's where most builders fall over. Our Coast Building handles the entire approval process for you — by-law review, application drafting, committee presentations, and all compliance paperwork. We know exactly what Gold Coast committees need to see before they'll say yes.

For minor work (painting, tapware, cabinetry without plumbing or structural changes), committee approval typically takes 2–4 weeks. For major renovations — waterproofing, plumbing, or anything affecting common property — you generally need a general meeting or ballot, which can take 4–8 weeks or longer. The smart move is to start the approval process 8–12 weeks before you want construction to begin. We front-load this so the paperwork never stalls your build.

As a guide, a Gold Coast kitchen renovation typically runs $15,000–$80,000+ and a bathroom $10,000–$60,000+, depending on scope, finishes, and access. Every project is different, which is why we give a fixed, itemised quote after seeing your space — not an estimate that drifts. You'll know exactly what you're paying for and where every dollar goes before we start. See our work for real project examples.

A single bathroom typically takes 3–4 weeks. A kitchen and bathroom combined usually runs 6–8 weeks. A whole-of-unit renovation can run 10–14 weeks on site. The biggest variable is almost always body corporate approval, not the build itself — which is why we start the paperwork immediately. Plan for around six months from initial planning to handover for a full apartment renovation.

We handle everything. Plumbing, electrical, waterproofing, joinery, tiling, painting, rubbish removal, body corporate liaison — the whole lot. You deal with one person (Darren or Brandon), and we coordinate every trade, delivery, and inspection. You don't lift a finger, and you're never left chasing a tradesperson. Learn more about our team.

For most full renovations, no — it's not practical to live in the space while waterproofing is curing, walls are coming down, and trades are coming through. For smaller jobs like a single bathroom, it can sometimes be done. We'll be straight with you about what's realistic for your specific project before we start.

We're based on the Gold Coast and work across the entire region — Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach, Currumbin, and inland through the northern Gold Coast corridor. If you're not sure whether we cover your building, just call — the answer is usually yes.

Yes. We hold a current QBCC licence (15577349) and carry full public liability and home warranty insurance. Body corporates require this documentation before any work starts — we provide it all upfront, usually within 24 hours of being engaged, so your renovation never stalls at the paperwork stage.

All workmanship is covered by our written warranty, and every wet area comes with full QBCC-compliant waterproofing certification backed in writing. Waterproofing is the number one cause of disputes in apartment buildings — we don't take shortcuts here, ever.

Because renovating an apartment is a completely different craft. Strata approvals, sound transfer, waterproofing, shared walls, neighbours — a house builder who doesn't do this daily will hit problems they don't know how to solve. We built our entire business around getting these right. It's all we do, and we do it better than anyone on the Gold Coast.

For internal, like-for-like renovations that don't change the building's structure or footprint, you usually don't need a Development Application. Some work does need Building Approval from a private certifier — around 20 working days. We'll tell you exactly what your project requires and handle it for you, so there are no surprises.

Call Darren or Brandon, or hit the quote form on the homepage. We'll come out to your unit, look at the space, and give you a straight answer — not a sales pitch. You'll get a preliminary scope, an indicative timeline, and answers to your body corporate questions within one business day.