But a total renovation and extension, which ended up being a finalist in the 2017 Housing Industry Association awards, transformed this “beach shack” in Boat Harbour’s Richardson Avenue to a luxurious five-bedroom, entertainer’s holiday haven.

Orton Building were behind the transformation and managing director Luke Orton said, as with any project, it did not come without its challenges and obstacles.

“It was fairly straight forward once we got out of the ground,” Mr Orton said.

“Being where it is it’s on a rock shelf, so there was a bit of rock in the way that was unforeseen that had to be removed with the footings.

“Being an old building with brick veneer, all of the brick ties had rusted, so they all had to be replaced to make it all stable again. The existing roof and the flashings of the existing roof, once we actually took them off, the walls were just wobbling.”

The project involved a total renovation inside and out and considerations needed to be made for certain materials due to the coastal environment.

“It was a little old brick residence that we essentially knocked most of the top level off internally and the roof off and then did quite a large extension off the front of it,” Mr Orton said.

“We used a greenboard so it could be rendered, so it brought it all up to a current design.

“The front facade is a type of cladding that is good for a coastal environment and, with the coastal setting in mind, any of the metal roofing and metal cladding elements had to be a colorbond ultra. That has an extra powder coat that’s required close to the ocean, and with the aluminium windows and doors.”

The dual-level home was to be used as a holiday house and creating space was high on the list of importance.

“The staircase is quite a bit of a feature piece and, from a design point of view, because it’s all open it allows for a lot of bodies in the area at the same time,” Mr Orton said.

“It is a Blackbutt staircase with stringers and stainless steel balustrade with a Blackbutt handrail and as you walk in you see it.

“From what it was to what it became, it was a really drastic transformation.”

Orton Building specialise in custom-designed homes and Mr Orton suggested getting a builder involved early for a renovation or extension.

“I think it’s really important for custom-designed homes where people are working closely with architects to really nut the detail out as much as they can with fixtures and fittings,” he said.

“The more information you can give people, especially for a tender time, the closer you’ll get to land on or at least be aware of what the cost involved is going to be from the start. Also involving a builder early is pretty recommended. You don’t necessarily have to pick that builder but if you can get a good rapport with a builder, they can be helping you with the costing process.”