Ben and Maddison Daly at their latest Burleigh Waters project going under the hammer in February. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Builder couple Ben and Maddison Daly near-doubled their cash on their first home flip, allowing them to scale up to luxury projects over the past seven years.
But rising interest rates and soaring construction costs have made turning a profit from renovating tough – even when the end product sells for a multimillion-dollar price.
The Gold Coast mum-and-dad team’s latest project is a single-level stunner at 23 Bellbird Ave, Burleigh Waters, going to auction with Kollosche on February 14.
The home was completed to a tight 15-week timeline. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Ben Daly said the four-bedroom home was completed to a tight 15-week timeline ahead of the birth of their second child, baby Daisy, 4 months, a sister for 3-year-old Koa.
They had lived in the house for a year, Mr Daly building for clients and his wife launching wedding business Mon Cherie, deciding it was time to “pull the trigger” on the renovation on finding out they were expecting again.
“We moved out to the in-laws to save costs because we didn’t want to spend another $30,$40,000 on rent,” Mr Daly, 32, said.
“I had time off with bubs coming along, so as our client jobs came to an end we programmed the next ones to kick back in after so for that 15 weeks we went gung ho, all hands on deck on our job, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week,” he said.
The home in the popular Gold Coast suburb of Burleigh Waters
They took the original 1970s house back to its slab, crafting a contemporary light-filled home with high-end finishes and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living spaces.
High ceilings pair with Mediterranean-inspired arches, microcement and natural travertine finishes and designer lighting, the open floorplan is anchored by a luxurious kitchen with stone benchtops, and a covered al fresco entertaining space with built-in kitchen flows to a large pool flanked by a cabana.
“Our vision has always been about creating homes that feel timeless, warm and genuinely liveable – not just impressive to look at,” said Maddison Daly, 29.
“We’re not about flashy for the sake of it, we want homes that feel luxurious but still comfortable, practical and inviting for real families.”
Light-filled living spaces
There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms
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Mr Daly said standout features included its multiple living areas, with “one for the adults, one for the kids,” and a grassed front yard with seating, perfect for watching kids play.
Their journey began with a townhouse in Burleigh Waters, bought for $508,000 in 2017 and sold for just under $1m in 2021.
Next was a four-bedroom family home in Mermaid Waters sold for $2.55m in 2023 — they paid $1.141m for the site two years prior.
Despite their success, the couple is feeling the squeeze from the current economic climate.
“Rising interest rates and construction costs affect everyone, no matter the price point,” Ms Daly said.
Smeg appliances and a butler’s pantry complete the kitchen
This pressure forced them to be more strategic and hands-on.
“It’s intense, especially with young kids, but it allows us to save money and stay closely involved in every decision. It’s also pushed us to be more disciplined with budgeting and smarter with how and where we spend.”
Mr Daly highlighted the harsh reality of the current market for renovators, noting a knockdown property in their target areas now costs around $2.1m.
Move-in ready homes were in demand, but Ms Daly said high-end buyers were now more cautious and selective.
A cosy cabana by the pool
Ideal for al fresco entertaining
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