Apollo Care Gets $100,000 Bonus: SKOPE Delivers Refurbishment Without Shutdown!

How SKOPE delivered a full-scale Aged-care refurbishment on time, under budget, and saved the client a six-figure sum

When Apollo Care purchased the 30-plus-year-old Charingfield facility, the challenge in front of them was clear: the building had served its purpose well, but it was dated; the lives of residents and staff were constrained by the old layout, tired finishes and mechanical systems approaching their limit. Rather than a simple refresh, the site needed a full refurbishment: living and dining rooms that felt homely, amenity areas that supported modern resident expectations, upgraded staff zones, and critical mechanical and structural works — all while the facility remained fully operational, with more than 30 staff on site and residents in daily care.

For John Carolan, Managing Director of SKOPE, the task was to design and build a solution that didn’t compromise the ongoing operations of the facility, but rather enhanced them — and did so in a timeframe and budget that delivered real value.

“We knew from the outset that this site couldn’t shut down,” John says. “Residents were living their lives. Staff were working. We had to plan every stage so that operations could continue with minimal disruption.”

The Complexity of the Brief

The building presented a long list of challenges. Leaking roof areas during heavy rain were not just an inconvenience; they were actively damaging internal finishes. The layouts that had served decades were no longer appropriate for modern aged-care living — zones needed to be re-imagined for comfort, dignity and flexibility. The staff work areas had not kept pace with evolving standards. The food service, living and dining rooms sought not just a refresh, but a complete reinvention: a warm, homely feel, design that supported both residents and staff.

On the mechanical and structural front, every system had to be addressed. The roof across two buildings required full replacement. All condenser and cooling tower units had to be removed and replaced via crane. Internal air conditioning units had to be replaced. SKOPE removed a redundant lift service and installed new concrete floors inside the lifted shaft at every level. And the site lay within a battleaxe block — access was tight, crane lifts had to be planned, and logistics had to be managed carefully. All these works had to be undertaken while the facility remained live and caring for residents.

“It was a live environment the entire way,” John recalls. “We couldn’t isolate zones and say ‘we’ll do the works when people aren’t here’. The residents were here. Staff were working. We had to design for that from day one.”

Planning for Live Operations and Safety

From the earliest stage, communication and staging were front and centre. SKOPE didn’t just deliver construction; they delivered a plan of operations that allowed the facility to stay open, safe and functioning. Weekly coordination meetings with centre management, detailed scheduling of crane lifts, safe segregation zones, resident-friendly access routes — all played a part.

“One of our core strengths is communication,” says John. “We worked side-by-side with centre management every step of the way. No surprises. No hidden costs. No disruption that couldn’t be managed.”

Staging the project in four major phases over 12 months allowed continuous operation. Over this period, SKOPE delivered works totalling more than $8.5 million. Yet disruption to residents was kept to a minimum, and the safety of staff and residents remained absolutely paramount.

Executing Major Structural, Mechanical and Refurbishment Works

Stage 3 of the works proved one of the most transformational: major structural demolition of internal walls, installation of large structural steel support members, and conversion of four existing two-bedroom units into ten new resident bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. It was a complex, heavy-engineering phase inserted into the live facility environment and executed with precision.

Meanwhile, on the mechanical front, SKOPE removed the redundant lift service, laid new concrete floors in the shaft on each level, and replaced all the condenser and cooling tower units via crane — including internal AC units across the building. The roof replacement across two buildings eliminated the leaks that had plagued the facility during rain events and prevented further damage to internal finishes.

Internally, the living and dining rooms, bedrooms, food service areas, administration zones and external amenities were all refreshed to modern standards. The design team worked with SKOPE to shift from “functional but dated” to “warm, homely, fit for purpose”.

“We aimed not just to refurbish — we aimed to transform the environment. Residents were moving into modern rooms with ensuites, dining in spaces designed for quality of life, staff working in zones that supported care delivery. That matters,” John notes.

Delivering Real Cost Savings

Perhaps the most telling indicator of success wasn’t just that the project was delivered — it’s that it delivered value. During the project planning, SKOPE identified major passive fire-compliance issues. Others had quoted over $200,000 just to bring the facility up to standard. SKOPE took a detailed review of the passive fire requirements, identified alternative compliant methods under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and relevant standards, and saved the client over $100,000.

“This is where our experience pays off,” says John. “We don’t just accept high budgets, we challenge them. We find compliant alternatives. We build in value. In this case, the client saved over six figures. That’s real.”

Cost savings were realised without compromise to quality or compliance. The structural, mechanical and aesthetic standards remained high. The facility didn’t simply operate; it elevated. And, as the finishing touch, when the newly renovated rooms were offered to the market, they sold within a week — a clear indication of market demand and the finish standard achieved.

“When the rooms went live they sold within a week. That tells me we hit the mark. The market responded instantly,” John remarks.

Why it Worked — Three Key Factors

1. Quality of finish and market alignment
The outcome wasn’t just a refurbishment; it was a transformation. When the rooms were put on the market and sold so quickly, it demonstrated SKOPE’s alignment with resident and market expectations. Quality finishes coupled with functional layouts meant the facility wasn’t just modernised — it appealed.

2. Communication, staging and live-site management
Four major stages over 12 months, more than $8.5 million in works, live operations throughout — this doesn’t happen without tight coordination. SKOPE’s approach of weekly updates, clear access planning, resident-safe zones and stakeholder management made the difference.

3. Structural/mechanical execution and cost engineering
From heavy structural works (steel support members, conversion of units) to the full mechanical system overhaul (roof, AC, lift shaft) and firefighting compliance savings — SKOPE brought deep capability. Building in savings by challenging high quotes and finding alternative compliant solutions meant the client got more value.

What it Means for Aged Care Providers

For providers operating live facilities, the SKOPE project offers a blueprint: you don’t need to shut down, you don’t need to accept high-cost solutions, and you don’t need to compromise on finish. With the right partner, you can deliver:

• Minimal disruption to residents and staff
• On-time delivery within tight schedule constraints
• Structural/technical scopes alongside internal lifestyle upgrades
• Real cost savings with no quality sacrifice

“If you’re going to upgrade a live facility, you need a builder who understands the environment — not just on paper, but in practice. That’s us,” John explains. “We work in complex, occupied settings. We innovate. We communicate. We deliver.”

Final Word

This refurbishment tells a compelling story of transformation: an older facility, a lot of legacy issues, live environment, access constraints — and yet, delivered on time, delivered safely, delivered with strong cost savings and market-proof results. That’s the value SKOPE brought.

For aged-care providers looking ahead — whether it’s internal layouts, major mechanical upgrades, structural overhaul or full-scale refurbishments — the message is clear: with the right builder, your project can succeed without the usual headaches of shutdown, disruption or runaway budget.

Are you looking to refurbish your Aged Care centre?

Then talk to John Carolan from Skope Constructions on 02 9659 8461.