Milk Chocolate
Case study · Brisbane Buy and Build

Raise and renovate

Strategic deployment of funds to maximise the return on investment.

Completed project · Leased

Lyndhurst St, Boondall QLD 4034

Purchase price$515,000
PurchasedOctober, 2019
StrategyRaise and renovate
Completion due2020
Game plan + search
Settle
Design + DA
Pre-construction
Construction
Handover
Find out more

Updated August, 2026 · page updated as the project moves

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 + DAM6–11
Pre-constructionM11–13
ConstructionM13–16
HandoverM16–17

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

Boondall offered what the inner suburbs couldn't: a character home on a 506m² block at an entry price with genuine room to add value. Close to the train line, schools and parkland, it was the right asset at the right price point.

506 m² blockPurchased OCT 2019No overlays13.4 km to CBD
02

The plan

Raise the original character home and build in underneath, adding two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen below to roughly double the useable footprint, then finish throughout for the rental market.

Completed home — Lyndhurst St, Boondall QLD 4034

Completed home

03

The numbers

Every project starts with a full feasibility. Here's how the numbers landed against the base case we ran before purchase.

~$550K
Block + acquisition costs
~$210K
Total project cost
~$800K
Post-build market appraisal
~$40K
Gross profit
~$1.327M
Current value
The strategy is to buy, renovate and lease.

The home presented with a strong income play too.

$785/wk
Current rent
3.08%
Gross rental yield (based on post-build market appraisal)
79+Projects delivered
~$25MBuilt & renovated
4.5★100+ Google reviews
5.0★Houzz rating
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 →
Project renderProject rendersave as live/os3-render.pngRender
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

Local builds with the numbers to back them

Renovations, raises, subdivisions and new builds delivered across Greater Brisbane.
Tap a project for photos and the full story.

Zillmere subdivision Brisbane new dwellingsHero photo25-zillmere-subdiv-qld/01.jpg

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.

View the full case study →
Surfers Paradise knockdown rebuild waterfront homeHero photo19-surfers-paradise-qld/01.jpg

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.

Zillmere Hamptons renovation Brisbane

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.

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.

Zillmere renovation bedroom bathroom addition Brisbane

Zillmere Renovation, Brisbane

3-bed to 4-bed in 6 weeks
Project value $70K
Read the case study →

We purchased this property for a client with the intention to add an additional bedroom and bathroom without a structural extension (mitigating the need for any council approvals). The home was a 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 2 car, and we turned it into a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car property, within 6 weeks.

View the full case study →
Geebung renovation Brisbane

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. 

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.

RichieHeadshotteam/richie.jpg

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. 

Mark DumrowHeadshotteam/mark.jpg

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.

Erica RoundsHeadshotteam/erica.jpg

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.

Credentials & memberships

Licensed, insured and accredited

QBCC Builders Licence 15213582
Professional Indemnity Policy #201607-1166 BIA
Public Liability Policy #15T5590335
Proudly awarded for
2026 Proptech Awards Winner — Buyer, Renter & Owner Solutions, Scale Up 2026 Proptech Awards Winner — Proptech Leader of the Year 2025 Proptech Awards Winner — Scale Up, Buying & Ownership 2025 PIPA Awards for Excellence Finalist — Large Business of the Year 2025 Proptech Awards Finalist — Residential Proptech of the Year 2025 Proptech Awards Finalist — Proptech Team of the Year
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.
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. 

Let’s talk through your Brisbane project

Bring your idea, your address or just your questions. In about 30 minutes we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible and what it’s likely to take.

  • An honest read on feasibility and rough numbers
  • The smartest first step for your property and goal
  • No obligation, and no pressure to proceed