Hirschfield St, Zillmere · live project

Where we're up to

Signed. Sealed and delivered. Our construction team handed over to our Property Management team, and we are currently leasing this property.

Six phases, one team, from the day the search started to the day the keys are handed over.

Game plan + searchM0–4

SettleM4–6

Design + DAM6–8

Pre-constructionM8–9

ConstructionM9–12

HandoverM12–13

Last updated August, 2026. This page is updated as the project moves through each phase.

The project

The block, the plan and the numbers

01

The block

A solid post-war home on 607m² in Zillmere, bought well for the suburb. The bones were good and the floor plan had slack in it, which is exactly the inefficiency we look for: value that can be unlocked without touching the structure.

607 m² blockPurchased AUG 2021No overlays11.5 km to CBD

02

The plan

Reconfigure the existing floor plan to add a fourth bedroom and a second bathroom inside the original footprint, with no extension and no council approvals needed, then renovate throughout. Six weeks on the tools, tailored to what renters in this pocket want.

Completed home

Living and dining

Open-plan living

The added second bathroom

Main bedroom

The added fourth bedroom

Renovated kitchen

Rear deck and yard

03

The numbers

Every project starts with a full feasibility. Here's how the numbers stacked up, six weeks of work included.

~$660K

Block + acquisition costs

~$215K

Total project cost

~$950K

Post-build market appraisal

~$75K

Gross profit

~$1.09M

Current value

The strategy is to buy, renovate and lease.

The home presented with a strong income play too.

$615/wk

Current rent

2.93%

Gross rental yield (based on post-build market appraisal)

Currently taking on bookings for Q4 2026, limited spots remaining.

Happening now

On the tools across Brisbane right now

Here’s what’s on site and in the pipeline today, and where each project is up to.

Currently on site

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On site

Stafford, Brisbane

Knock-down & rebuild

Brand new build of a two-storey, architecturally designed home, with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2 car garage and alfresco dining. The property will be leased on completion.

Latest from site

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Expected completion: August 2026

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

View the full case study →

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On site

Banyo, Brisbane

subdivide, knockdown, 2 x new homes

We are knocking down the existing house, already positioned on two separate titles. We are then constructing two freestanding 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car, architecturally designed houses. Both will be leased.

Latest from site

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Expected completion: October 2026

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

View the full case study →

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On site

Carina Heights, Brisbane

subdivide, knockdown, 2 x new homes

Knock down the existing house, already positioned on two separate titles. We are then constructing two freestanding 4.5 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car, architecturally designed houses with pools. Both will be leased.

Latest from site

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Expected completion: March 2027

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

View the full case study →

In the pipeline

In planning

Mt Gravatt, Brisbane

subdivide, knockdown, 2 x new homes

We will knock down the existing house, already positioned on two separate titles. We are then constructing two freestanding 4.5 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car, architecturally designed houses, with an intention to sell on completion.

Expected build start:
November 2026

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

In design

Kedron, Brisbane

Lift, raise, subdivide + 1 x new home

A large Queenslander is positioned on the centre of the block. We will pick up and move that home to one side of the block, then raise and build in underneath. We will then subdivide the block, and build a new 5 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car architecturally designed home on the other side of the block. Both will be leased on completion.

Expected build start:
March 2027

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

In planning

Boondall, Brisbane

subdivide, knockdown, 2 x new homes

We will knockdown the existing property, and sub-divide the block to create a battle-axe land allotment. We will then build two freestanding, 4.5 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car homes, which will then be leased on completion.

Expected build start:
March 2027

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

In planning

Nudgee, Brisbane

Lift, raise, subdivide + 1 x new home

A large Queenslander is positioned on the centre of the block. We will pick up and move that home to one side of the block, then raise and build in underneath. We will then subdivide the block, and build a new 5 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car architecturally designed home on the other side of the block. Both will be leased on completion.

Expected build start:
Late 2027

Plan

Design

Approvals

On site

Handover

Recent COMPLETED SEQ projects

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Tap a project for photos and the full story.

Zillmere subdivision Brisbane new dwellings

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Zillmere, Brisbane

Subdivision, knockdown, 2 x new dwellings

Project value $1.2M

Read the case study →

This project was part of a client's Game Plan that included a purchase, requiring a subdivision and construction of two new dwellings to maximise their equity and provide future options to leverage value. Both properties are now leased.

Zillmere subdivision Brisbane streetscape

Streetscape01.jpgStreetscape

Zillmere subdivision Brisbane kitchen & dining

Kitchen & dining02.jpgKitchen & dining

Living03.jpgLiving

Kitchen04.jpgKitchen

Bedroom05.jpgBedroom

Bedroom06.jpgBedroom

Bathroom07.jpgBathroom

View the full case study →

Surfers Paradise knockdown rebuild waterfront home

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Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Knockdown rebuild · 5 bed, 5 bath, 2 car

Project value $1.5M

A complete knockdown and rebuild. The original home was cleared to make way for a two-storey waterfront residence with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool and a private pontoon on the canal. Mark Dumrow led the project as builder and site supervisor, with construction delivered in 12 months.

Surfers Paradise waterfront exterior with pontoon

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Kitchen02.jpgKitchen

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Front04.jpgFront Exterior

Surfers Paradise outdoor living and pool

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Surfers Paradise aerial view of waterfront home

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Zillmere, Brisbane

Full house cosmetic renovation

Project value $250K

After successfully purchasing this quaint character home in Brisbane as an investment for our client, we underwent a complete cosmetic renovation to add further value and increase its rental yield. What was once a run-down property has been transformed into a stunning modern Hamptons home that secured great quality tenants within just a couple of days of being listed.

Exterior

Living Room

Bathroom

Bedroom

Exterior

Boondall subdivision new builds Brisbane

Boondall Subdivision, Brisbane

Subdivision, knockdown and build 2x new dwellings

Project value $1.2M

This project was part of a client’s Game Plan that included a purchase, requiring a subdivision and construction of two new dwellings to maximise their equity and provide future options to leverage value. We purchased the property and leased it out indefinitely, allowing the project team ample time and opportunity to undertake the designs and approvals before executing the build thereafter.

Exterior

Kitchen

Modern

Home Gym

Boondall house raise and build under Brisbane

Boondall Raise, Brisbane

House raise & build under

Project value $250K

Read the case study →

Transforming this character-rich house into a modern haven whilst adding significant value through increasing the internal footprint. The scope was to raise the original home and incorporate another 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen below the home.

Living Room

Traditional

Balcony

Traditional

Living Room

View the full case study →

Geebung, Brisbane

Full interior transformation

Project value $90K

A Milk Chocolate build and project-management job in Geebung, Brisbane where we completed an efficient and cost-effective make-over suitable for an immediate lease.

Kitchen

Bedroom

Living Room

What clients say

Trusted to deliver

★★★★★

We couldn’t be more delighted with the outcome of our dream home. From the initial planning stages to the final touches, Milk Chocolate demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism and expertise. They seamlessly translated our vision into reality, creating a home that not only meets but surpasses our dreams.

Victor

★★★★★

We have now just completed 2 renovations which both went smoothy and my wife and I are very satisfied with the results.

Simon

★★★★★

End to end management of the process with experts engaged at every step.

Shaun

The team

The people accountable for your build

One team, one point of contact. These are the people who plan, manage and deliver your project, start to finish.

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Richie Ragel

director, licensed real estate agent

In real estate and construction since 2006, 400+ clients guided, $25M in construction overseen since 2018. Sharp focus on quality, budget control and on-time delivery.

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Anthony Dahdah

General manager
of services

Anthony brings over 16 years across property, maintenance and construction, starting as an electrician before moving into project management and operations.

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Mark Dumrow

licensed Builder & Site Supervisor

Mark has over 30 years in construction, progressing from plasterer to carpenter, site supervisor and licensed builder. Known for quality craftsmanship and results that endure.

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Ben Van Vuuren

Construction project Manager

Ben has 17 years experience in construction and property development, most recently managing high-end residential projects. He holds a Diploma of Building and Construction (Building), and a QBCC Medium Rise Supervisor License.

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Jessica Bialkowski

Client success lead

Jess leads the end-to-end client journey across planning, purchasing, projects and management. She is the glue that coordinates and keeps every project moving forward.

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Erica Rounds

Maintenance Coordinator

Erica supports the delivery of Milk Chocolate Maintenance — a dedicated project management service covering repairs, cosmetic works, and structural renovations for landlords and purchasers.

How it works

Start where you are. We take it from there.

You do not have to start at step 01. Homeowners and investors join us at every stage: some arrive with nothing but a goal, some have just bought a block, and some hold approved plans and simply want a builder’s quote. Wherever you are up to, the same team carries it through to handover.

01

Game Plan & feasibility

Your goal, your site and the real numbers, before committing. We will complete a full feasibility so you can understand the economics of the project.

Join here if you are starting with a goal, a budget or just a suburb in mind.

02

Design & approvals

We will manage the concept and design evolution, including management of all professional services, through to council lodgement and approvals.

Join here if you already own a site, or have one under contract.

03

Build & manage

We manage the construction project from demolition, excavation and civil works, through to construction and key handover.

Join here if you have approved plans and are ready for a build quote.

04

Handover

Whether you are moving in, selling or leasing, we can manage this process for you. We have an in-house property management team, or can act as your advocate in the selling process.

Join here if you are nearing completion and want help selling, leasing or managing.

Get a quote on your plans Talk through your project

Common questions

Good things to know

Will it blow my budget and timeline?

That is exactly why we start with a Game Plan and real numbers before any work begins. You see the cost and scope up front, and we manage to it. We sense check your budget and align the design scope accordingly. We will soft quote throughout the design and approval stage to ensure there are no hidden surprises, and we engage with a professional estimator during the tender stage to ensure pricing remains realistic.

Do you manage the whole build, or just part of it?

The whole build. Once we have approved plans, we take care of the rest, from demolition, excavation, civil works, construction, through to handover, so you have a single point of accountability.

Do you take on smaller jobs?

Yes. We work across everything from cosmetic renovations, granny flats, through to multi-dwelling subdivisions.

Can you help avoid council approvals where possible?

Where it suits your goal, yes. On our Zillmere project we added a bedroom and bathroom without a structural extension, removing the need for council approval. Noting, we work to Australian Building Standards, council and state regulations.

Reconfigure and renovate

Hirschfield St, Zillmere QLD 4034

Signed. Sealed and delivered. Our construction team handed over to our Property Management team, and we are currently leasing this property.

The block, the plan and the numbers

The block

The plan

The numbers

On the tools across Brisbane right now

Stafford, Brisbane

Banyo, Brisbane

Carina Heights, Brisbane

Mt Gravatt, Brisbane

Kedron, Brisbane

Boondall, Brisbane

Nudgee, Brisbane

Local builds with the numbers to back them

Zillmere, Brisbane

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Zillmere, Brisbane

Boondall Subdivision, Brisbane

Boondall Raise, Brisbane

Geebung, Brisbane

Trusted to deliver

The people accountable for your build

Richie Ragel

Anthony Dahdah

Mark Dumrow

Ben Van Vuuren

Jessica Bialkowski

Erica Rounds

Licensed, insured and accredited

Start where you are. We take it from there.

Game Plan & feasibility

Design & approvals

Build & manage

Handover

Good things to know

Let’s talk through your Brisbane project