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Freestanding bath against a black wall
Gold Coast, QLD

Bathroom renovations and carpentry in Varsity Lakes

New bathrooms for homes around Lake Orr and Lake Azzura.

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  • 5.0 stars on Google
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Homes in Varsity Lakes at the 2021 Census

  • 42.6%separate houses
  • 33.1%townhouses and semis
  • 24.1%flats and units
  • 43.3%rented

Varsity Lakes runs east from the Pacific Motorway to Mattocks Road and Bermuda Street, with Reedy Creek Road on its south side. The suburb is built around two man-made lakes, Lake Orr and Lake Azzura, and the train line ends at Varsity Lakes station.

Much of the land was once swamp. Homes went up after Delfin Lend Lease began the Varsity Lakes project in 1999. Today you will find houses, townhouses and units side by side. Jobs that suit them include a fresh kitchen, a tidy laundry or a new sliding door out to the yard.

Close by: Robina, Burleigh Waters, Mudgeeraba.

What Brett does in Varsity Lakes

What kind of homes are in Varsity Lakes?

Varsity Lakes has a real mix. The 2021 Census counted 42.6% separate houses, 33.1% townhouses and similar homes, and 24.1% flats or apartments. Three bedrooms was the most common size, at 45.6% of homes. The suburb had 16,493 people that year.

Renting is big here. 43.3% of homes were rented, 33.5% were owned with a mortgage and 20.9% were owned outright. The median age was 36. If you own one of these rentals, plan the work for the gap between tenants.

Timber deck with steps down to the lawn

What should you plan for on a Varsity Lakes job?

Start with the ground. In 1873 Thomas Blacket Stephens bought swampy land here for dairy farms, and his family drained it. The lakes came much later. Before you lift a floor or build a low deck, look up your block on the council's flood maps. The flood depth map shows how deep water could get in a big flood.

Then think about the people next door. A third of homes are townhouses, which share walls with a neighbour. Plan where the trailer parks, when noisy work happens and how old cabinets leave the site. For a laundry renovation in a townhouse, measure doors and halls before new parts arrive.

Red timber deck with timber and wire railing

Do you need approval for a deck in Varsity Lakes?

It depends on size, height and where it sits. Gold Coast council says a raised deck needs building approval from a private certifier unless it is under 10 square metres and under 1 metre high. If your yard backs onto Lake Orr or Lake Azzura, ask if a waterfront setback applies. The council says a deck over 1 metre high in a waterfront setback area needs a referral to council too.

In a townhouse, go to your body corporate first. The committee can approve an owner's change to common property if it costs under $3,000 and does not spoil the look of the lot. Bigger work needs a vote at a general meeting. Read more on council approval for renovations.

What clients say

5.0 on Google

★★★★★

A full reno, two bathrooms and all

He was fantastic to work with and the quality of work was top notch. … Brett is a very good communicator and a great builder.
Toby Black, Ashmore
★★★★★

Deck restored, new steps from scratch

Brett did a bang-up job repairing and restoring our wooden deck … we can't fault his work ethic, craftsmanship, communication or punctuality.
Shaun Rudland
★★★★★

15 years of jobs, still calling Brett

Brett has done several renovation jobs for us over the last 15 years … quality work, great follow-through, and just a great guy to have come into our home
Katrina T-w

What clients say

5.0 on Google

★★★★★
Brett from Field Carpentry completed a renovation for us at our home in Ashmore on the Gold Coast. The project included two bathrooms, some large doors and windows, some brick work repairs, flooring modifications and some other bits. He was fantastic to work with and the quality of work was top notch. He was always very polite and considerate of us while living in the house through the Renos, always working with us to schedule things when it would suit our family movements. Brett is a very good communicator and a great builder. We will definitely use Field Carpentry again and would recommend them to other Gold Coasters.
Toby Black, Ashmore
★★★★★
Brett did a bang-up job repairing and restoring our wooden deck including building a set of fully-enclosed 2 metre wide steps from scratch. He listened to what we wanted to achieve and gave us a range of options to suit different budgets. A pleasure to deal with from go to whoa, we can't fault his work ethic, craftsmanship, communication or punctuality. Would we use him again? We're already writing our "2024 List for Brett"
Shaun Rudland
★★★★★
Brett has done several renovation jobs for us over the last 15 years - timber and stainless steel back deck and railings, timber stairwell railings, refit and installation of cupboard units in laundry and bedrooms, and timber self-close fence side gate. A skilful tradie whose work I highly recommend - quality work, great follow-through, and just a great guy to have come into our home to do the necessary work.
Katrina T-w
★★★★★
Brett has carried out a range of medium to large jobs for us, including a new deck, a daybed, and he was a key part of the team that extended our house (a large reno project). His ability to bring a bespoke idea to life is incredible, as is his attention to detail. Just a great guy to work with, would recommend him to anyone.
Brendan Ritchie
★★★★★
I have hired Brett's expert carpentry services on a couple of occasions and both jobs were carried out in a professional manner. Brett is a perfectionist and takes pride in his workmanship and what he delivers. He carried out a semi kitchen reno job most recently which by no means was straightforward however he tackled it head on and a great result was achieved.
Jodie McDonald
★★★★★
Brett does wonderful work. Would thoroughly recommend him !!!
Tracy London
★★★★★
Brett did a great job on our new deck. Professional, clear communication, attention to detail, and top-tier craftsmanship. Highly recommend Brett to any one seeking a high-quality deck or renovation for a good price.
Taylor Moss
★★★★★
Brett and the team exceeded our expectations with their impeccable work on our kitchen remodel. We're thrilled with the result and grateful for the outstanding craftsmanship that has truly transformed our home.
Channa Cohn

Questions from Varsity Lakes

Can't see your question? Ask Brett.

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Can I renovate a townhouse kitchen in Varsity Lakes?

Yes, but read your body corporate by-laws first. Queensland's body corporate guide says some schemes need approval to change flooring. It also asks owners to think about noise for neighbours. If the job touches common property, it needs the committee or a general meeting to agree. Inside the kitchen itself, plan for a licensed plumber and electrician where pipes or wiring move.

Is Varsity Lakes in a flood area?

Check your own address, not the suburb as a whole. The City of Gold Coast flood maps show whether a block is in a flood-affected area. For exact numbers, you can request a flood level search report. It gives the flood level for your property, but it will not show how far the water spreads. Use it before you set new floor heights.

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