Building & Renovation Advice

If your home has enough floor area but the layout feels cramped or dated, a renovation is usually the better spend. Opening up walls, reworking the kitchen or adding storage can transform how a home feels without changing its footprint.

If you are genuinely short on bedrooms, bathrooms or living space, an extension is often the smarter long-term move. Building out or up costs more than renovating, but it is usually far cheaper than selling, paying stamp duty and moving.

In Victoria, a building permit is generally needed for a deck that sits more than 800 mm above ground level, and pergolas and verandahs can also need one depending on their size and position on the block.

Rules vary with your block, overlays and council, so it pays to check early. A good builder will coordinate with a registered building surveyor and handle the paperwork before any footings go in.

Hardwood timber such as spotted gum or merbau gives a warm, natural look and can be sanded and re-oiled to look new again. It does need regular oiling to stop greying and surface cracking in the summer sun.

Composite boards cost more upfront but need little more than an occasional wash. They will not split or splinter and keep their colour well, which suits busy families and coastal homes near the bay.

Most new builds follow five main stages: base (slab), frame, lock-up, fixing and practical completion. Each one is inspected before the next begins, and progress payments are usually tied to these stages.

Knowing what happens at each stage helps you plan selections, finances and site visits. Ask your builder for a written schedule up front so you can see where your project is at any time.