Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations, one of Canberra’s most recommended renovation companies. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
If you’ve ever tackled a home renovation project, you’ll understand how important it is to hire the right professional for the job. Whether you’re looking to remodel your kitchen, update your bathroom, or undertake a full home makeover, you’ll need to hire a reliable renovation company to ensure the job is done right.
These days the construction sector is highly nuanced, with most companies focusing on a certain area of industry. When choosing a team to rely on for your next renovation, it’s important to recognise the difference between builders, who work mostly in new builds and knock-down-rebuilds, extension contractors, who focus on structural extensions, and specialist renovators.
Specialist renovators are experts in non-structural reconfigurations of the home – the ‘internal’ stuff, if you will. If you want to refresh your kitchen, laundry, bathroom, flooring or electricals, go with a renovator.
When you speak with potential companies to help with your renovation, be sure to ask what their speciality is!
What makes a great renovation company?
Choosing the right renovation company can make all the difference in the success of your project and your peace of mind. Here are some key traits to look for:
- Experience and expertise. A great renovation company should have extensive experience in the industry and a proven track record of successful projects. Look for companies that specialize in the type of renovation you need, whether it’s residential, commercial, or a specific room like kitchens or bathrooms.
- Quality of workmanship. High-quality workmanship is crucial for a lasting renovation. Check portfolios and previous projects to assess the quality of their work. Look for attention to detail and high standards of finish.
- Customer service. Excellent customer service is a hallmark of a great renovation company. They should be communicative, responsive, and willing to work with you to meet your specific needs and preferences. Positive client testimonials and reviews can provide insight into their customer service.
- Project management skills. Effective project management ensures that renovations are completed on time and within budget. A reliable company will have skilled project managers to coordinate various aspects of the project, from sourcing materials to scheduling tradespeople.
- Transparency and honesty: Transparency in pricing and honesty about potential challenges are essential traits. A trustworthy renovation company will provide clear, detailed quotes and be upfront about what the project will entail.
The best renovation companies in Canberra
Riotact’s editorial team has combed through 20 years of on-site comments to compile a list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best of Canberra series, each business needs to have consistently received positive feedback on Riotact and Facebook as well as maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google.
The Bathroom Company
The Bathroom Company has helped Canberrans create the bathrooms of their dreams since 1994.
Delivering top-class bathroom, ensuite, powder room, laundry and kitchen renovations throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding regions, this team also works on accessible, ambulant and assisted living home modifications.
The Bathroom Company divides renovation projects into three stages. It all starts with an in-depth consultation, where clients pinpoint exactly what they want in their new bathroom.
Next, the design phase brings their ideas to life with the help of a highly trained in-house designer, who is certified in home modification design and has extensive experience collaborating with occupational therapists on accessible bathrooms.
They also won silver in the 2023 International Muse Design Awards for NDIS Bathroom Design. This expertise ensures that every project is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also can be fully compliant with AS1428 standards for accessibility.
Finally comes the renovation itself, throughout which a dedicated on-site foreman acts as clients' first and single point of contact. The Bathroom Company aims to make every renovation as stress free as possible, and according to reviews like this one, they deliver.
"Andrew, Justin and the team of very skilled trades did an amazing job with my bathroom," Nikki Thurbon says on Google.
"We had a few hiccups along the way to no fault of the team... Justin helped ensure I was well informed throughout and looked after everything. They treated my home and the whole build with respect and I felt confident every step of the way."
Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations
Homeowners undertaking a renovation want their vision brought to life by someone they can trust. Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations (MSBR) is Canberra’s only fixed-price renovator, which means no hidden costs and no surprises.
As 'Canberra’s most trusted partner in redefining the essence of living spaces', MSBR understands the true weight of their mission - to design and deliver renovations that make each home they work on a sanctuary for those living within.
This family business is leading the industry, using an online project management tool to provide daily updates and photos, making each renovation fully transparent, trackable and shareable. Through the tool clients can also choose, approve and alter their design and products.
A dedicated interior designer helps plan each dream space, and will even go shopping with clients to help them pick the perfect products. All tradespeople are fully qualified and the majority are employed directly by MSBR, rather than subcontracted. The company also guarantees its work with an industry-first 20 year waterproofing warranty.
MSBR specialises in quality renovations of bathrooms, laundries, kitchens, and full homes. It's an end-to-end service from design to build that has garnered plenty of attention, with clients across Canberra singing the team's praises.
Riotact commenter Michael M says, "I had all my bathrooms renovated by Mark Sheppard Bathrooms and Renovations. I was extremely happy with their expertise, customer service, product knowledge, tradesmen and final result. That was a few years ago and they look and perform brilliantly.... They are brilliant."
Refined Building
Refined Building brings more than 50+ collective years of experience to each project with a well earned reputation for consistent communication, great results and a motivated team.
They understand that home renovations can be a stressful process but they're determined to minimise hassle through a detail oriented approach that takes care of all aspects of the job.
Refined Building is led by Josh Sammak, who acts as both director and on-site builder meaning there is no divide between management and labour. This hands-on approach ensures quality work on-site every day.
Cost blowouts always linger in the back of everyone's mind when considering a renovation, which is why Refined Building has a transparent pricing system, ensuring the customer that each job is planned in line with material needs, regulations and time restraints.
They cover small upgrades all the way up to total remodelling and they guide the clients through every step of the way, from planning all the way to final touches.
With Refined Building, aesthetics never come at the expense of functionality, their meticulous planning and consultation brings your vision to life and their qualified building team make sure that it all works flawlessly.
With more than 150 successful projects across the ACT, Refined Building is quickly becoming one of the go-to choices for home, kitchen and bathroom renovations in Canberra.
"Thanks to Refined Building for a beautiful bathroom renovation – I am stoked with the final result! Josh and his team are great communicators and completed the project on-time and on-budget, exceeding my expectations. I would not hesitate to recommend," Kath Sullivan said.
Elite Renovations
Elite Renovations is an end-to-end renovation company servicing Canberra and surrounds. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Elite's team takes clients from the initial design concept all the way through to completion, delivering exceptional end results.
"Elias and Jason were a pleasure to work with," Lucy Palmer says on Google. "They were patient and flexible and we'll be calling them when it's time to redo the kitchen!"
Salt Renovations
Salt Renovations is a local kitchen, bathroom and home renovations specialist that delivers high-quality, customised projects throughout Canberra and Queanbeyan. The team breathes new life into homes by improving functionality and aesthetics, which in turn improves the value of the home.
Riotact commenter Elaine Woord writes, "Oliver and his team from Salt Renovations delivered a bathroom/laundry renovation far exceeding our dreams and expectations ... the work was done on schedule and we had no hidden surprises."
If you’re looking for more information on local trades, you might also like our articles on the best bathroom renovators, architects, joiners, bricklayers, flooring specialists, house painters, landscapers, and fencing contractors Canberra has to offer.
Your experience with renovation companies in Canberra
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Have you had experience with any of the Canberra renovation companies listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my renovation cost?
This is a difficult question to answer. First, consider the construction of your home. A brick veneer house with timber flooring will be cheaper to renovate than full brick walls with concrete on ground.
Next, ask yourself what kind of renovation you're doing. Will you be making changes to the layout, walls or doors? What level of quality (and expense) will your materials, appliances and additions be? Will your renovator professionally manage the entire project?Is there silica or asbestos in the home, and are plumbing approvals required?
While there's no truly comprehensive answer, a good starting point for your budget is $50K to $66K for bathrooms, $50K to $75K plus appliances for the average kitchen, and $30K to $35K for your laundry.
And remember - you get what you pay for!
How long will my renovation take?
The timeframe for a renovation depends on what room or rooms are being worked on. For example, a standard kitchen renovation can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, dependent upon joinery, benchtop and splashback selections. Set aside 6 to 8 weeks if you want to renovate your bathroom, toilet and laundry at once.
Can I live at home during renovations?
You can live at home during renovations, but it's a challenge. Be sure to have a frank conversation with your chosen company about your routine, security and access needs to minimise disruption.
Can I do my own renovations?
Doing your own renovations is possible but not advisable. While painting walls and retiling floors might be achievable, navigating plumbing and installing new systems requires professional help that renovation companies specialise in. Hiring a professional ensures a high-quality, durable and good-looking space.
Should I get multiple quotes for my renovation?
It’s wise to get more than one quote, especially if your project is complex and/or going to cost a lot. When seeking quotes, do so in a consistent way so you can compare apples with apples.
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