As Brisbane builders, Queenslander homes are a renovation project we see everyday! While they come in many forms, with lots of unique touches, there are a few key elements and challenges with this iconic house style that we have learned from over our years of working with them. We gathered our top tips to give you a helping hand:
Expert help is worth it
Ensure you hire a renovation builder who has experience with Queenslander renovations. They should be able to advise you on what can be saved and what is at the end of its life (gauging a baseline of your properties condition), how to best utilise the design of the house and how to give you a modern, practical space while retaining the charm of the structure. This will ensure things are done right the first time and you don’t lose the Queenslander feel you love.
Don’t lose the Queenslander charm
On that note, always remember to design around your home’s style – the best Queenslander home looks like a piece from a time capsule! Period features like an art deco door handle, stained glass windows, French doors, fretwork and pressed-metal ceilings are all pieces of history that aren’t common in modern design, so don’t ignore this!
But remember the unique challenges
There are as many beautiful things about Queenslanders as there are potential problems – particularly if you are purchasing a space that hasn’t been renovated previously. There are many good reasons a Queenslander is so popular and has been around for so long but it’s important to consider the pitfalls with any older home. Queenslanders are often more limited in space and may not have as much natural light or storage as a modern home. A good builder will be able to help you navigate around these issues.
Consider house raising for more space
If you do feel limited on space, you may want to raise your Queenslander to expand your livable area. Make sure you discuss this idea thoroughly with your builder as raising and building under in a Brisbane home could affect the street appeal of the property. However, a house raise can also have many benefits, as long as you have an experienced team on your side.
Renovating a Queenslander can be an exciting challenge with lots of potential, if done right. For advice from the experts, get in touch with our Queenslander renovation builders for a chat today!
