House Extensions & Renovations Melbourne

Whilst both of these undertakings can see your property value climb, home extensions and renovations serve distinct purposes and can vary in cost.

Home extensions are generally used to extend the size of your home, either taking advantage of backyard space, extending upwards or downwards to add an additional floor. This method can help address the growing pains many young families may encounter when they have children, letting the home grow with the family. However, due to the intensive construction required for an extension, this method can be more expensive than renovations, particularly if your home is on a slope.

Home renovations are generally revamping existing rooms or areas in your house, like a brand new kitchen or bathroom installation. Renovations can also work to expand the appearance of your space through remodelling. The terms remodelling, renovating and restoring can often be used interchangeably despite their differences. Remodelling means improving the layout and structural appearance of a building and can sometimes encompass extensions. Restoration alternatively means preserving the appearance of a building through either historic or disaster restoration. Renovations can pose a risk of going against buyer trends if you decide to add a more niche infusion of your personality into your home. Though renovations generally cost less than a full-blown home extension.

Both forms of home improvement are well worth pursuing and offer plenty of options for different budgets and design solutions. Home extensions and renovations can also include various council regulations and processes to follow; your custom builder should give you advice and assistance to understand any formalities that may be required.

There are many ways to renovate your home, with vast variations in size and scope for various areas such as:

The Kitchen: a kitchen renovation can involve updating cabinets and appliances, remodelling to improve the functionality of your space, or updating finishes such as tiling and benchtop materials. A kitchen renovation is one of the best renovations for property valuation and also one of the priciest if a complete renovation is undertaken.

The Bathroom: these renovations can help to improve the efficiency of your bathroom, reduce water wastage and boost the luxury of your space. Homeowners can also use bathroom remodelling to push up the comfort and functionality of the room.

The Bedroom: renovating a bedroom can start at a lower budget for minor improvements such as paint, window frame replacement and the addition of skirting boards. Additionally, as you move up in the budget, you can look at things such as carpet replacement, storage installation and even remodelling for an ensuite.

The Living Room: a living room renovation can improve lighting, flooring materials, wall paint, furniture and decorations. Additionally, you may consider new window and door installations to create a more cohesive look, as well as to improve your home’s insulation and energy efficiency.

In any room, renovation efforts can run deep, involving new appliances, electrical lines, plumbing and insulation, but can ultimately ramp up the quality, comfort and functionality of your home.

There are a lot of different ways to increase the amount of space in your home via a house extension, such as:

Rear or Side Extensions: These extensions focus on expanding the home’s ground floor from the rear or side of the property (or both together), allowing increased living space or even an additional bathroom. This can also include sunrooms or outdoor living areas to improve the overall light flow and usable space.

Double or Multi-Storey Extensions: A two-storey extension can bring your property upwards from single-story or expand your second story by an additional living space or bathroom.

Basement Extensions: These extensions involve lifting the home to either excavate or build underneath, creating an additional living space or basement.

Garage Extensions: By removing a side or rear wall (or roof) and extending your garage either upwards or outwards, increasing the amount of space your home has access to. Typically used for recreational rooms, additional living space, storage space or for an additional car.

Ultimately, extensions can be done in various ways and formats to achieve the look and feel that you want for your home.

Whether it’s an investment property or your family home, home improvements can be an emotional and personal undertaking, both exciting and nerve-wracking. The planning process typically starts with your vision or a consultation to discuss how to get the most out of the value and appearance of your home.

Planning can involve considering materials, budget, design style ideas and further developments that you can use to improve the value of your home. Still, the real nitty-gritty stuff can come with the red tape required to start building and renovating.

Red tape in this context can mean various plans and permits that are required by your local council. These can include many things depending on the complexity of your project, such as:

• Foundation data and soil testing
• Local council laws and regulations
• Energy efficiency requirements
• A site survey completed by a licensed land surveyor
• Written plan approval by a registered building surveyor
• Protection works notices (and subsequent consultations with neighbours)
• Building permits

These permits and formalities are typically managed and/or completed in tandem with designers, contractors and specialists employed by your custom home builders, ensuring that all the plans and specifications have been outlined for approval. You can also view more information at the following Consumer Victoria checklists:

• Plans and permits checklist.
• A checklist for extensions and renovations costing more than $10,000.

A popular rule of thumb for how much you should spend on cosmetic home renovations or extensions ranges from 10% of a house’s market value to 20% if you include areas such as the bathroom and kitchen. However, it ultimately comes down to the ratio of cost versus increased house value. Spending more to get a higher return on investment ratio is typically worth taking.

To ensure you’re getting a good return on your investment, there are several things you should consider before undertaking renovations and extensions, such as:

Research: researching your suburbs and local property market can help you evaluate the trends within successful properties.

Follow the Trends: suspending your desires and design sensibilities can be difficult, but if you’re chasing profit, it’s best to stick to safer commercially viable additions rather than niche improvements.

Find your Target Market: improvements can vary depending on the buyers you’re targeting; consider what a couple might desire from their property compared to a family. Who is your target market, and how will you cater to them?

Add space: Australians are recorded to have some of the largest homes within the world, according to the 2020 CommSec Home Size Report. Numbers don’t lie, so if this trend is anything to go off of, spacious property is sure to impress buyers.

Curb appeal: first impressions are everything, and there’s nothing more impressive than a beautiful home. Improving the exterior of your home visible to the neighbourhood can substantially ramp up your property value.

Contingencies: reserving 5 to 10% of your budget for unforeseen costs can help to cushion any issues that may arise, securing your profit potential.

No matter the vision, renovations and extensions can breathe new life into your property, with various types and techniques employed to expand your living space and refine your home’s appearance. With over 30 years of experience, Forme Homes carefully plan and execute every renovation and extension we embark on to ensure your satisfaction. Enjoy a personalised experience with a team that listens to you every step of the way.