RENOVATIONS / EXTENSIONS

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In the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, there are large sized blocks of land, solidly built homes, great infrastructure and wonderful neighbourhoods with lots of cultural diversity!  These are just some of the reasons why it makes more sense to extend rather than move homes! 

When it comes to deciding what kind of extension you want, there are a number of factors to take into account - the type of home you own, the size of your block, local Council building regulations, your end objective and your budget.

Here’s our guide to the most popular ways to increase your living space:

Adding another storey allows homeowners to virtually double their living space without cutting into the rest of their block. 

Upward additions can also allow more light into a home, help catch the breeze and create access to views that can enhance the value of the property.

The disadvantage of this type of addition is that the roof has to come off and be replaced at the end of the build and there may be some foundation or structural reinforcement which needs to occur.

In places where land prices are more reasonable and block sizes more generous, people often prefer to build out to extend their living space, for example to create an open plan kitchen/dining/living area.

This type of addition is a major build, but is usually less disruptive and costs less than adding another storey. Check with your local draftsperson or architect to see the council restrictions and regulations in your area.  Most block sizes in Oakleigh, Clayton, Huntingdale and other nearby suburbs are quite generous and will allow these types of extensions.

Having an alfresco area which is designed to get the most use from it means it needs to be close to the main property and can be an extension to the dining or lounge area of the home.  An experienced draftsperson would be in the best position to help you design an effective and functional outside living area which would also complement your home.