Renovation Builders Redlands
Custom Renovations, Extensions and House Raising Across the Redlands and Bayside
- Master Builders Member since 2008
- HIA Member since 2019
- Licensed and Fully Insured
- 20+ Years Experience
- QBCC Licensed
The Redlands is the kind of place that keeps its residents. Moreton Bay sits at the edge of it, the pace is calmer than the inner city, and the housing stock ranges from older character homes along the waterfront in Cleveland and Wellington Point through to larger family properties further back in Capalaba and Alexandra Hills. When a home stops working for the people in it, the answer in the Redlands is rarely to sell up and leave. It's to build something better, right where you are.
Alps Constructions is a family-owned builder serving the Redlands and Brisbane's Bayside, and we have been working in this area since 2008. As renovation builders across the Redlands, we take on the projects that need more than a standard package: layout transformations on established homes, rear extensions that open older floor plans to coastal air and outdoor living, house raising for properties in flood-mapped zones closer to the bay, and Queenslander character work for the older homes that carry their own structural history. Paul and Kristie run Alps directly, and when you call, you reach the people responsible for your project from the very first conversation.
Start Your Redlands Renovation Conversation With Alps Constructions Today
- You don't need finished plans to get in touch
- Speak directly with the owners, not a consultant or a call centre
- We guide you from the early idea through to final handove
Alps takes on a limited number of projects each quarter so every renovation gets the attention it deserves. Reach out now and we'll be in touch within 48 hours.
Renovations Corinda Form
WHY REDLANDS HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE ALPS CONSTRUCTIONS
Family-Owned, Directly Accessible
Paul and Kristie run Alps from the ground up. When a Redlands client calls, they reach the decision-makers, not a project coordinator acting as a go-between. For complex, high-value renovations, that direct line matters from the very first conversation, and it holds all the way through to handover.
Custom From the Ground Up
No two Redlands properties are the same, and no two Alps projects are either. Every brief starts with your specific home, your block and how your family actually uses the space day to day. There is no renovation formula being applied here and presented as something tailored to you.
Transparent Cost-Plus Pricing
Alps operates on a cost-plus model for the majority of renovation and extension work. You pay the actual cost of materials and labour plus a construction margin, with itemised weekly invoices accounting for every dollar spent. No lump-sum padding and no surprises waiting at the end of the job.
20+ Years of Renovation Experience
Paul has been building since 2005 and holds both low-rise and medium-rise builder's licences. Alps has been transforming Brisbane homes since 2008, with projects that have appeared on Selling Houses Australia and House Rules. Finalist in the Master Builders Housing and Construction Awards. Recognised in the Top 10 Bathroom Renovators Australia. The complex, structural and character-heavy jobs are what this team was built for.
The Jobs Other Builders Step Back From
Older homes with structural surprises inside the walls, flood-affected properties that need raising, character homes where materials require careful sourcing and matching: Alps takes this work on actively. Paul's background in structural problem-solving means challenges are identified before they become expensive decisions, not after the walls are already open. This depth of experience is the difference that counts when choosing custom home builders in the Redlands.
HOME RENOVATIONS REDLANDS: WHAT ALPS CONSTRUCTIONS DELIVERS
Full Home Renovations
Redlands homeowners who love where they live but whose house no longer fits how the family has grown face a straightforward choice: move, or transform the home they have. For families committed to the area, the lifestyle and the school catchments that come with it, moving is rarely the right answer. Home renovations across the Redlands Coast are at the core of what Alps does: layout redesigns, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, structural changes that alter how a home flows, and indoor-outdoor connections that suit the climate and the block.
Clients can come to Alps with a fully developed scope or with little more than a rough sense of what is not working about their current home. Alps meets people wherever they are in that process and helps them develop the brief before any money goes into plans.
Home Extensions Redlands and Additions
There are good reasons why home extensions across the Redlands are among the most common projects Alps takes on in this area. Established properties here hold strong value, and blocks in suburbs like Capalaba, Cleveland and Victoria Point give architects and builders genuine room to work with. A rear extension that opens an older floor plan to alfresco living, a second-storey addition that creates bedrooms without sacrificing yard space, a rumpus or media room for a family that has outgrown its layout: these outcomes make more sense than selling and starting over in most Redlands markets.
Redland City Council requires building approval before extension work can begin, and the process is not always straightforward depending on the block's overlay designations and setbacks. Alps guides every client through the approvals pathway clearly, including certifier advice and engineering input where the brief requires it, so nothing is left to chance before construction starts.
House Raising and Build Unders in the Redlands
For bayside properties sitting in flood-mapped areas, house raising does two things at once: it substantially reduces flood risk and it creates new liveable floor area underneath the home without expanding its footprint. Low-lying pockets across Cleveland, Wellington Point and Redland Bay sit within flood overlay zones under the Redland City Council planning scheme, and for owners of older high-set homes in these areas, raising is often the most practical whole-of-property improvement available.
Most house raising projects Alps completes in the Redlands also include renovation of the upper level and, frequently, a further extension, giving clients a whole-home result from a single builder relationship. For properties eligible under the Queensland Resilient Homes Funding scheme, Alps has direct experience completing work under that programme and can advise on eligibility from the first conversation.
Queenslander Renovation and Character Home Work in the Redlands
Older homes closer to the waterfront in suburbs like Cleveland, Wellington Point and Birkdale carry a structural history that standard renovation work does not account for. Walls are rarely straight, subfloor framing holds surprises, and materials need to be sourced and matched carefully to preserve what gives a home its character. Getting this wrong produces a result that looks assembled rather than considered, and it is expensive to undo.
Alps understands how to work within these constraints, bringing old and new together in a way that feels deliberate rather than pasted on. This kind of work calls for experience with what is actually inside the walls of older Queensland homes, not just familiarity with what the plans assumed was there. It is an area where genuine capability separates the builders who can handle it from those who discover the limits of their approach once the work is already underway.
Bathroom Renovations in the Redlands
Alps takes on standalone bathroom renovations across the Redlands, from a practical single-bathroom update through to a full master ensuite transformation. Scope can be as focused or as comprehensive as the brief requires. Recognised in the Top 10 Bathroom Renovators Australia, Alps Constructions brings the same standard of workmanship to every bathroom project regardless of scale.
Cost-Plus Pricing: What It Means for Your Redlands Renovation
Renovation work in the Redlands, as anywhere, comes with unknowns. Scope shifts once walls are opened. Councils give feedback that changes a design direction. A property near the bay presents subfloor conditions that plans did not anticipate. A fixed-price lump sum attempts to absorb all of that before the project begins, which means the builder either prices in a substantial contingency or takes on the risk of underquoting it.
Alps uses a cost-plus model for the majority of renovation and extension work. You pay the actual cost of materials and labour plus a clearly agreed construction margin. Once work begins on site, you receive a weekly invoice that breaks down carpenter and builder hours, all materials outlaid, all other expenses incurred, and copies of non-carpentry trade invoices. There is no contingency buried inside a fixed price.
There is no mystery at the end of the job about where your money went. You can see exactly what is being spent week by week, and you can make real decisions as the project evolves rather than being locked into choices made before the first wall was opened and examined.
WHAT OUR REDLANDS AND BAYSIDE CLIENTS SAY
Real renovations. Real results. Real clients.
RENOVATING IN THE REDLANDS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Redland City stretches from the inland suburbs of Capalaba and Alexandra Hills out to the waterfront pockets of Cleveland, Wellington Point and Redland Bay, and further still to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. It is a coastal municipality with a genuinely varied housing stock: older high-set homes on established streets close to the water, newer residential estates further from the bay, and everything in between. Suburbs like Cleveland and Wellington Point carry some of the area's most established properties, with character homes that predate surrounding development and waterfront addresses that owners hold for decades rather than years. For anyone planning home renovations in Cleveland or across Brisbane's wider Bayside, the diversity of this housing stock demands a builder who understands what each individual block and home actually requires.
- Redland City Council building approval is required for all extensions, most structural renovations and all house raising projects. Some internal work that does not affect the structure may be exempt. Alps advises every client on exactly what applies to their project before any money is committed to plans or design work.
- Low-lying pockets across Cleveland, Wellington Point and Redland Bay sit within flood mapping zones under Redland City Council's planning scheme. House raising directly addresses this risk for eligible properties, and the Queensland Resilient Homes Funding scheme may provide financial assistance for qualifying homes. Alps has direct experience with this programme.
- The Redlands' older bayside housing stock includes high-set timber homes where subfloor conditions frequently differ from what the original plans indicate. Structural surprises are a known quantity in these properties, and character considerations apply to some homes, affecting material choices and construction approach throughout the renovation.
- Proximity to Moreton Bay means coastal construction requirements can apply in exposed bayside locations, including material specifications for corrosion resistance. These requirements add a planning layer that standard suburban renovation work does not typically involve, and they need to be worked into the design brief from the outset.
- For builders in Capalaba and across the broader Redlands, block sizes shift considerably: compact residential lots in the inland suburbs, generous bayside allotments nearer the water, and everything in between. The renovation approach changes based on block size, setbacks and the specific constraints of the Redland City Council planning scheme for that site.
As renovation builders on the Redlands Coast, Alps brings direct structural experience with this housing stock, a clear understanding of how flood overlays, coastal requirements and council constraints affect a renovation brief, and a genuinely personal approach to every project. For builders across the Redlands and Brisbane's Bayside, that combination of technical depth and direct owner involvement is not something a volume operation can replicate. For Alps, it is simply how the business has worked since 2008.
Our Process, Your Journey
1
Get in Touch
Call or email and start with a conversation about your home and what you want to change about it. You do not need plans, a confirmed budget or a fully developed brief before you reach out. The first conversation is about understanding what you are working with and where you want to get to.
2
Inquiry Form
Alps sends a short project inquiry form to understand scope and project type before committing further time on either side. It gives Alps the context needed to make the next conversation genuinely useful, and it confirms whether the project is a good fit before either party goes any further.
3
Initial Consultation
Once the form is reviewed, Kristie follows up to discuss next steps. If it looks like a strong fit, a paid site visit with Paul and Kristie is arranged. They walk the property with you, assess what is structurally possible and discuss the brief on the ground, where the real considerations begin to take shape.
4
Feasibility, Design and Approvals
Alps assesses the feasibility of the project, works through design direction and advises on the approvals pathway, including certifier and engineering input where Redland City Council approval is required. This stage is completed before significant money goes into drafting, so the design is structurally sound and approvable before it becomes a formal set of plans.
5
Estimating and Contract
Once design direction is settled, Alps prepares a cost-plus estimate and contract documentation. You have full visibility of costs before construction begins, with nothing embedded in the numbers that has not been clearly explained.
6
Build and Handover
Construction proceeds to the agreed programme with regular updates throughout. A final walkthrough confirms that everything is resolved to your satisfaction before the project is handed over and the job is complete.
For smaller projects such as a standalone bathroom renovation that does not require council approval, the process is considerably more direct. Alps walks every client through exactly what their specific project involves from the very first conversation.
READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR REDLANDS HOME?
Alps takes on a limited number of projects each quarter, which means every Redlands client gets direct access to Paul and Kristie and the kind of sustained, considered attention that a volume operation simply cannot offer. Get in touch with or without plans and we will help you work out the right next step for your property.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RENOVATION BUILDERS IN THE REDLANDS
How much does a home renovation in the Redlands typically cost?
Renovation costs in the Redlands vary considerably depending on scope, structural complexity, finish level and whether council approvals and engineering are involved. A standalone bathroom renovation sits in a very different bracket from a full home transformation with a rear extension, council approval and structural work. Alps operates on a cost-plus model, so clients see the actual costs as they are incurred rather than receiving a lump-sum figure with contingency already folded in. The most useful starting point is a conversation about scope, and realistic budget ranges for your specific project can be discussed from that first call.
Do I need Redland City Council approval for a renovation or extension?
It depends on the scope of the work. Extensions, house raising and most structural renovations require building approval before work can legally begin. Some internal renovations that do not affect the structure may not require formal approval at all. Flood overlays, setbacks, site-specific planning constraints and proximity to the waterfront can all add complexity to what applies for a given Redlands property. Alps advises every client on exactly what their project requires before any money is committed to plans, which is one reason an early site visit is a practical and worthwhile first step.
Can you help with house raising in the Redlands?
Yes. House raising is particularly relevant for properties in the low-lying bayside pockets of Cleveland, Wellington Point and Redland Bay, where flood mapping is a genuine consideration for homeowners. Raising a home and building underneath adds substantial liveable floor area without expanding the footprint, and it directly reduces flood risk for properties in designated zones. Alps has experience completing work under the Queensland Resilient Homes Funding scheme for eligible properties and can advise on whether your home may qualify from the very first conversation.
What is cost-plus pricing and why does Alps use it for renovations?
Under a cost-plus arrangement, you pay the actual cost of materials and labour plus a construction margin, rather than a fixed lump sum agreed before the work begins. For renovation and extension work, this approach is fairer than a fixed price because scope frequently evolves once a project is underway. Walls get opened, councils give feedback and clients make real decisions as the project takes shape. Cost-plus means you have full visibility of where your money is going at all times, with itemised weekly invoices and copies of all trade and materials costs throughout the build. There is no contingency hidden inside a fixed figure and no guesswork about what you are paying for.
Can you help with home extensions in the Redlands if I don't have plans yet?
Yes, absolutely. Most clients come to Alps without a finished set of plans, and many arrive with little more than a sense of what is not working about their current layout. Alps assists with early feasibility discussions, design direction, certifier advice and drafting as the project develops. The key is to start the conversation before committing money to plans rather than after, so the design is structurally viable and approvable from the outset. Home extensions across the Redlands benefit significantly from early structural input, particularly on properties with flood overlays, site constraints or coastal construction requirements.
Do you work across the Redlands, including Capalaba and Cleveland?
Yes. Alps serves the Redlands broadly, including Capalaba, Cleveland, Wellington Point, Victoria Point, Alexandra Hills, Birkdale, Thornlands, Redland Bay and surrounding Bayside suburbs. Paul and Kristie are directly involved in every project from the first conversation through to handover. There are no franchisees, no consultants acting as intermediaries between you and the builder, and no call centres. Most of the work Alps takes on in the Redlands area comes through referrals and repeat clients, and that track record speaks more clearly than any claim we could make on a page.
Why do you charge for site visits and initial quotes?
A paid site visit reflects the time and expertise Paul and Kristie invest in properly assessing a project before committing to a scope or cost direction. It also ensures both parties are genuinely invested in the process before significant time and resources are committed on either side. Unlike a free quote from a volume builder, a paid site visit with Alps includes a real conversation about what is structurally possible on your specific block, what the Redland City Council approvals process involves for your type of project, and what a realistic budget range looks like for your home. That depth of engagement is something a complimentary quote rarely delivers.
Can Alps handle character homes and older Queenslanders in the Redlands?
Yes. Older homes close to the waterfront in the Redlands carry structural characteristics that newer builds simply do not: uneven framing, subfloor conditions that differ from what plans indicate, materials that need to be carefully sourced and matched to preserve the home's character. Paul's background in complex renovation work means these challenges are a known quantity rather than an unexpected complication discovered mid-build. Preserving what makes an older Redlands home distinctive while genuinely modernising how it functions is some of the most satisfying work Alps does, and it is where experience makes the difference between a result that feels deliberate and one that feels assembled.
How long does a renovation in the Redlands typically take?
Timeframes vary considerably by scope. A standalone bathroom renovation without council approval can often be completed within weeks. A full home renovation with a rear extension, council approval and structural engineering can take several months from design sign-off through to handover, with the pre-construction phase covering design, certifier, engineering and approvals adding time before the build itself begins. Flood overlay designations, coastal construction requirements and site-specific council constraints can affect pre-construction timelines on certain Redlands properties. Alps gives every client an honest picture of realistic timeframes from the first conversation, including what the approvals process typically involves for a project of that scope.
I'm not sure where to start with my renovation. Can Alps help me work it out?
Yes. Many clients come to Alps with a general sense of what is not working about their home and no clear brief beyond that starting point. Alps can assist from the earliest stage of an idea, helping you work through what is structurally feasible on your specific block, what the council approvals process involves for your type of project and what a realistic scope and budget might look like before any money goes into plans. You do not need to have it figured out before you call. The first conversation is simply about understanding your home, your situation and your direction.