Renovate or Build New? How to Decide What’s Right for You
When you’ve fallen in love with a Queenslander or character home, one question always comes up early:
Do we renovate what’s already here, or build new from the ground up?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — the right choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, timeline, and long-term vision. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you make a confident decision.
1. Renovating — Breathing New Life into the Old
Renovating a Queenslander or character home allows you to preserve its charm and history while improving the layout, comfort, and functionality for modern living.
Pros
Keeps irreplaceable heritage features you can’t easily recreate
Often located in established, sought-after suburbs
Renovations can be staged to suit your budget and timeline
Cons
Hidden surprises (rot, termites, asbestos, footing issues) can increase costs
Heritage overlays may limit major structural changes
Structural upgrades can add complexity and time
2. Building New — A Fresh Start
Building new gives you full control over the layout, flow, materials, and how the home functions for everyday life.
Pros
Designed exactly for your lifestyle and needs
Easier to incorporate energy efficiency and new building standards
Typically lower maintenance in the early years
Cons
Finding the right block in your ideal location can be difficult
Late design changes can add to costs
New homes don’t have the instant character of an older home (unless designed with heritage influence)
3. The “New Queenslander” Option
Love the charm of a Queenslander but want the benefits of a modern build?
You can have both.
With the right builder, you can create a heritage-inspired new home complete with:
Wide verandahs
VJ walls
Fretwork and traditional details
Timber features and classic proportions
All paired with modern layouts, energy-efficient design, and the convenience of a brand-new home.
4. How Hill House Design & Construct Can Help
Whether you’re renovating or building new, our Design + Construct process keeps your budget, vision, and lifestyle at the centre.
Here’s what that means for you:
Plans and budget developed together so everything is achievable from the start
Fixed-price contracts for transparency and peace of mind
Heritage expertise for Queenslander renovations and restorations
Design-led new builds that blend traditional character with modern living
Still deciding?
We’d love to walk you through your options and help you choose the path that’s right for your home, your family, and your future.