Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, McColl Cabinetmakers are fully licensed and insured for all kinds of bathroom and kitchen renovations in Ipswich (and throughout South East Queensland). We’re Registered Building Practitioners (QBCC Licence No: 61004) and members of the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the major industry association for cabinetmakers and builders.

We have a custom-built showroom that’s conveniently located just 4 km from the centre of Ipswich. During a visit to our showroom, you’ll be able to view an extensive collection of hardware, materials and accessories in the very latest colours and styles. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with an experienced member of our design team, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss your specific project needs in detail. Showroom appointments can be easily booked online.

An unrealistic budget can be a source of great anxiety for homeowners. To avoid this unnecessary stress, it’s a good idea to talk to an experienced bathroom or kitchen remodelling company during the very earliest stages of your project. At McColl Cabinetmakers, our design team will be able to assist you in establishing a realistic budget that includes all aspects of the planned project. We also recommend allowing a 10% buffer in any construction budget, as this will cover any unexpected costs (such as finding asbestos or rotted timber during the initial demolition phase).

The cost of a kitchen renovation will vary dramatically depending on the scope of the project and your choice of finishes. A budget kitchen renovation will typically cost between $15,000 and $25,000, while a mid-range kitchen renovation may cost anywhere from $25,000 up to $45,000. If you’re looking for a luxury kitchen renovation, the cost will likely start at around $45,000 (although the final cost could be considerably higher). Bathroom renovation costs will also be impacted by the extent of the proposed works (for example, replacing existing finishes vs. completely changing the layout) and your choice of finishes and fixtures. According to the 2018/2019 HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms survey, the average cost of a bathroom renovation in Australia is just over $19,500. To find out how much your proposed kitchen or bathroom renovation would cost, contact the team at McColl Cabinetmakers for a customised quote.

While you’re welcome to handle these tasks yourself (if you’d prefer), McColl Cabinetmakers include total project management as part of our bathroom and kitchen renovation services. This means that we can organise all the different trades and order all the necessary materials for you (saving you a lot of time and stress).

Your Project Manager will be responsible for delivering your renovation project on time and on budget. They’ll handle the schedule, coordinate with suppliers and ensure the relevant trades are onsite when they need to be. They’ll keep the project moving, smooth over any issues that may arise and keep you thoroughly up to date on what’s happening with your renovation project.

Many people assume that they’ll save a substantial amount of money by handling a renovation project themselves. But the reality is, these projects often end up costing more in the long run due to scheduling conflicts, materials being purchased at retail cost or because unscrupulous trades charge more than they should. In contrast, a Project Manager would give you access to trade discounts and a reliable team of tradespeople who charge a fair rate for their work. Your Project Manager will also help to eliminate unnecessary delays or scheduling conflicts that could end up having a negative impact on the budget. At McColl Cabinetmakers, we include project management as a standard inclusion in all our renovation projects (so you won’t have to worry about any additional fees)

The average kitchen or bathroom renovation project will usually take between two and four weeks to complete. The length of time required will depend on the scale of the work involved, the time of year (demand usually increases in the weeks leading up to Christmas, when many suppliers will close for a few weeks) and the lead time on any custom or imported finishes. While the HIA Kitchens and Bathroom survey found that the average renovation in Australia takes about 16 days, almost 1 in 4 renovations took longer than 26 days to complete.

At McColl, we specialise in custom-designed kitchen and bathroom renovations. This means you won’t be limited to choosing from a set number of predetermined layouts for your kitchen or bathroom. Instead, we can help you design a kitchen or bathroom that will offer an ideal solution for your family and your budget. A custom design will allow you to make the most of your available space and tailor the finished layout to maximise style and functionality

If changing the existing layout will improve the overall design and create a more functional space, this could be an option to consider. However, significantly changing the existing layout of a kitchen or bathroom will typically cost more and take longer to complete. This is because changing the layout usually involves changing the electrical, plumbing and gas connections – work that can take a considerable amount of time. Try to weigh up all the pros and cons of changing the layout before you commit to a final design, and talk to an experienced designer for some expert advice.

When choosing a style for your new kitchen renovation, it’s important to think about the overall design of your home. A modern industrial kitchen may look fantastic in some homes but could be jarring if it’s adjacent to a traditional country-style living area. If you’re concerned about the design quickly starting to look dated, then opt for design elements with a timeless appeal (such as neutral colours and the use of natural materials). But remember that, ultimately, the right style for your home will be a personal choice.

While the McColl construction team will always take time to clean up after themselves, there will always be a certain (inevitable) amount of dust that gets into things (particularly during the demolition phase). But there are things you can do to minimise the mess. Start by removing anything that you can from the construction area and adjacent living space. If your linen is stored near the work zone, it’s a good idea to empty everything out prior to work commencing – that way, you won’t have to worry about washing dusty sheets and towels. It’s also helpful to wrap furniture in protective sheeting, as this will prevent them from getting unduly dusty.

The team at McColl Cabinetmakers would be happy to help you achieve an eco-friendly bathroom or kitchen renovation. This can be achieved by incorporating power- and water-saving fixtures, selecting natural materials and using suppliers who are committed to environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.

A kitchen or bathroom renovation is a long-term investment. So, it makes sense to invest in high-quality and long-lasting materials. That’s why McColl only recommends brands with a proven track record of reliability and value. Some of our preferred brands include Polytec, Caesarstone and Laminex (for cabinetry and benchtops), as well as Oliveri (for sinks and tapware), Blum and Hafele (for kitchen hardware and storage solutions).

These are the three main materials that can be used for creating custom cabinetry, and they’re all manufactured in different ways. Laminate is usually the most affordable of the three and is made by covering MDF board with a thin piece of plasticised sheeting. Meanwhile, 2 PAC cabinetry is created by dipping MDF in a two-part substance that hardens to create a tick and durable finish (similar to the paintwork you’d see on a new car). A vinyl finish also begins with MDF board, but in this case, the board is wrapped in vinyl and then heated so the finish moulds perfectly to the substrate. There’s no single product that is always going to be “the best”, as all three of these materials come with their own unique pros and cons. The helpful team at McColl Cabinetmakers can help you to determine which product is going to be most suitable for your proposed kitchen or bathroom renovation.