Case Studies
Thirroul - Open Plan Coastal Transformation
Before
After
Before
After
| Project Scope | Kitchen, Living & Dining Open Plan Renovation |
| Suburb | Thirroul |
| Client | Toni A |
| The Challenge | A classic Thirroul beach cottage with three small, dark rooms and a dated kitchen. They wanted an open-plan layout to maximise natural light and capture the sea breeze, but their builder quotes were vastly different with some exceeding their budget by up to $110k. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We performed a detailed review (build tender) on the three quotes, identifying scope creep and over-specified materials. We created a new scope brief, focusing on maximising natural light and flow substituting engineered timber beams rather than steel, and re-tendered the project to three pre-vetted local builders. |
| The Result | $38,500 total savings achieved on the final build contract through targeted scope negotiation and re-tender, allowing the client to allocate the savings to high-end kitchen appliances and custom cabinetry. |
| Client Testimonial | “Betterbuild gave us the confidence to challenge the quotes. Not only did they save us thousands, but they also delivered a design that truly opens up the house to the coast. It feels 100% like the dream home we always wanted.” – Toni A. |
Woonona - Dual Occupancy Duplex Development
| Project Scope | Demolition and Duplex Build |
| Suburb | Woonona |
| Client | Mr. & Mrs. Chen |
| The Challenge | An old property in Woonona, clients were overwhelmed by the DA process, council regulations, and finding a builder with experience in dual occupancy compliance. They were concerned about their initial projected build costs leading to a negative yield. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We managed the engagement of the designer and DA process, navigating complex setback and height restrictions. We then executed a full procurement strategy, vetting three specialist duplex builders. By streamlining the selection of standard internal fixtures and negotiating a bulk-material discount, we secured a sharper contract price while maintaining quality. |
| The Result | $145,000 reduction in the total construction cost through expert procurement and negotiation. |
| Client Testimonial | “Managing a duplex development seemed impossible, but Betterbuild broke it down. They handled the complex approvals and their negotiation saved us more than double their fee. It was an essential investment for our portfolio.” – Mr. L. Chen. |
Shellharbour - Full Knockdown Rebuild (Family Home)
| Project Scope | Full Knockdown Rebuild (KDR) of a large family home. |
| Suburb | Shellharbour |
| Client | Matt & Anne S. |
| The Challenge | Matt & Anne had selected a volume builder for their KDR but were frustrated by hidden site costs, variation fees, and slow communication. Their initial budget had inflated by 15% before works had even started. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We stepped in during the contract stage. We conducted a deep dive into the site reports, identifying that the foundation costs had been unnecessarily inflated. We worked with our client and restructured the contract from a fixed-price (with multiple exclusions) to a transparent, staged agreement, defining all provisional sums clearly. |
| The Result | $55,000 in savings achieved by eliminating scope ambiguity and risk allocation, successfully challenging over-inflated site costs prior to signing the contract. We also secured a 6-week guaranteed timeline reduction through clearer scheduling. |
| Client Testimonial | “The KDR process felt like quicksand until we brought in Betterbuild. They acted as our advocate, translating the builder jargon and protecting our budget. We started the build confident, knowing we hadn’t paid a cent more than necessary.” – Matt S. |
Corrimal - Dual Bathroom Refurb
Before
After
| Project Scope | Small Bathroom Refurbishment (Main and Ensuite) |
| Suburb | Corrimal |
| Client | Ray D. |
| The Challenge | Ray wanted to upgrade the two bathrooms in his 1970s unit to improve rental potential, but he was worried about rental appeal, renovations in a strata building and renovating without overcapitalising. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We provided renovation roadmap service to Ray, focused on strata compliance and maximising value. We sourced durable, commercially available tile and fixture packages. We then managed the tender process with three specialised bathroom renovators, ensuring all quotes strictly adhered to Australian Standards for waterproofing and tiling, eliminating future compliance risks. |
| The Result (The Hook) | $8,100 saved on the final combined bathroom quote by using a volume-based material selection and preventing over-specification. The completed bathrooms were delivered 2 weeks faster than the average quote. |
| Client Testimonial | “I just needed guidance, not a full project manager. Betterbuild helped me choose fixtures that look great but don’t break the bank. Most importantly, I know the waterproofing is done right, which is peace of mind when renting out.” Ray D., Corrimal. |
Balgownie - Assess the Address
| Project Scope | Pre-Purchase Property Assessment (‘Assess the Address’ Service) |
| Suburb | Balgownie |
| Client | Frank O. |
| The Challenge | Frank had found a beautiful house in Balgownie with stunning views but was rushing to settlement. The seller’s disclosure was limited, and he had a gut feeling that the potential renovation costs were higher than estimated. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We were engaged for an Assess the Address inspection, focusing specifically on renovation risks associated with the steep block. We discovered significant, unmentioned sub-surface drainage issues and severe cracking that required major structural piling work. Estimates for this work were costing over $150,000 before any renovation could even begin. |
| The Result | $150,000+ (100% of the unforeseen structural cost) saved by advising the client not to purchase the property. This was a critical financial decision that prevented them from buying a structural money pit. |
| Client Testimonial | “We were heartbroken to walk away from that house, but Betterbuild’s report was undeniable. They saved our life savings from being buried in a foundation pit. Their honesty and expertise in property assessment is invaluable.” Frank O. |
Kiama — Architectural Home Extension & Renovation
| Project Scope | Large Extension and Full Internal Renovation |
| Suburb | Kiama |
| Client | David F |
| The Challenge | David had an architecturally complex design for a large extension, featuring unique cantilevers and marine-grade materials suitable for the coastal location. He needed a specialist builder but realised he lacked the experience and time to vet them effectively or manage the tender process for such a high-value build. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We took over the procurement, running a closed tender process exclusively for high-end, locally proven Kiama builders. We then assisted the client in negotiating the contract, defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for the builder related to the timely delivery of complex structural components and managing provisional sums. |
| The Result | $62,000 negotiated off the preferred builder’s initial quote by leveraging competitive tendering and clearly defining the contractual scope. The project was completed to an architectural standard with full cost transparency. |
| Client Testimonial | “This was a big-budget, complex build. Betterbuild’s involvement meant I wasn’t just relying on my builder’s word. They ensured the contract protected me and that the architectural integrity wasn’t compromised for cost.” David F, Kiama. |
Dapto — Granny Flat Addition & Property Strategy
| Project Scope | Granny Flat Addition (Investment/Family Use) |
| Suburb | Dapto |
| Client | Raj S. |
| The Challenge | Raj wanted to build a granny flat for passive income but was unsure about the process with Design, Council approvals and builder selection. Raj wanted to find a reliable builder while avoiding hidden charges often associated with flat-pack builders. |
| The Betterbuild Solution | We started with a Renovation Roadmap to provide Raj with a playbook of steps to follow, the costs to expect and reliable contacts. We then used our network to source materials and builders, managing the tender with three specialists to secure a truly fixed-price contract, covering all site-specific costs (like services connection and difficult access). |
| The Result | $11,500 saved on the build contract. |
| Client Testimonial | “The flat is fantastic, and the process was so smooth. Betterbuild’s advice on the process and teir guidance through the builder selection phase was invaluable. We’re happy with our flat and the saving was a bonus!” Raj S, Dapto. |