Home Extensions in Melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How much does a home extension cost in Melbourne?

Single storey extensions in Melbourne generally cost $2,500 to $4,500 per square metre for construction, rising to $5,000 and beyond for high end finishes. A 40 square metre rear extension typically lands between $100,000 and $180,000 once permits, engineering and finishes are included. Second storey extensions cost more per square metre because the existing footings usually need reinforcement. Roof works commonly add $15,000 to $30,000 on a medium extension.

Q2. How long does a home extension take?

A typical 40 to 50 square metre single storey extension takes around 12 to 20 weeks to build once permits are issued. The approvals stage is separate and is usually the longer half: a building permit is a matter of weeks, but a planning permit can take several months if your property is affected by a heritage or neighbourhood character overlay. We check the overlays before quoting so the timeline you are given is realistic.

Q3. Do I need a planning permit or just a building permit?

Every extension needs a building permit, which is issued by a registered building surveyor and confirms the work meets the building code. A planning permit is separate, is issued by your council, and deals with the effect on the street and neighbours. It is triggered by things like heritage overlays, neighbourhood character overlays, setbacks, site coverage, overshadowing and overlooking. Much of Kew, Hawthorn, Armadale, Malvern, Albert Park and Brighton is covered by an overlay of some kind, so it is worth checking early.

Q4. Can I live at home during an extension?

Usually yes, for most of the build. Because an extension is largely built alongside the existing house rather than inside it, the disruptive period is concentrated at the point where the two are joined and the existing wall comes out. We plan the sequence, dust barriers and site access around keeping you in the house, and we will tell you upfront which weeks will be difficult.

Q5. Is it cheaper to extend or to move?

It depends on the numbers in your suburb, but stamp duty alone on a Melbourne inner east purchase is often enough to fund a substantial part of an extension, before agent fees, conveyancing and moving costs. Extending also lets you keep the location, the school zone and the neighbours. The case for moving gets stronger when what you need is a fundamentally different house rather than more of the one you have.

Q6. Can you extend a period home?

Yes, and it is most of what we do. Melbourne's inner east and bayside suburbs are full of Victorian, Edwardian and interwar homes, and extending them well is a specific skill. The usual approach is to keep the front rooms and the street presentation intact and put the contemporary open plan living at the rear, so the two eras read as deliberate rather than accidental. Heritage overlays will influence what is possible and we assess that before quoting.

Q7. Do you handle the architect, engineer and surveyor?

Yes. We can develop the design in house or work with your architect if you already have one. Structural engineering, energy rating, land survey and the building permit application are all coordinated by us as part of the contract. You are not left chasing three consultants and a surveyor while trying to hold a build date.

Q8. What is a small home extension and what does it cost?

A small extension is typically a single room addition of around 15 to 25 square metres, such as a larger master bedroom with an ensuite, a study, a mudroom or a modest living room extension. At $2,500 to $4,500 per square metre, that generally means $40,000 to $110,000 depending on finishes and complexity. Small extensions often deliver the best value per dollar because the fixed costs of permits, site setup and roof tie in are spread across a project you can actually afford to finish properly.