Double Storey Extension Builders
A double-storey extension can be a great move for your property. You can add value and amenities to your home, create extra living space and even extend your floor plan.
We can help you with all your extension needs. With our design team, you’ll get all the features you want, ensuring that your home grows faster than your family and taking your home to the next level!
Things to Consider
Most people are wary of the cost of adding a double-story to their house in Melbourne. It’s common sense to be cost-conscious with any major extension, especially exterior renovations. To get the best value, talk to our experts about your renovation plans.
Like most home renovations, budgeting needs to start at the planning stage. We can give you a good idea of costs before you even start, and more importantly before you make any financial commitments. Take advantage of our budget estimates.
Beautiful, Functional Double Storey Extension Builders Melbourne
As one of our city’s premier construction firms, we proudly provide homeowners with a variety of options. For all your extension requirements, Capital Building is here to turn your vision into a stunning reality.
Our highly skilled designers provide full plans to you beforehand, ensuring that your vision combines with our expertise for the best possible outcome. On finalisation your design will be one you can see yourself enjoying or selling on with a return on investment, then we can proceed.
In a few months’ time, you will be so pleased with the results of your home’s transformation and find that it has been truly reinvigorated by the Capital Building experts.
Our Credentials
Building an extension or renovating is one of the biggest purchases in our lifetime. Therefore, it is essential that before going ahead with a project you can trust the building company that you choose.
Capital Building has an impressive list of credentials which means that should you choose it, you will be using a trusted, experienced, honest and safe building operator.
Registered Building Practitioner
Peter Harnischmacher and Travis Vinton, are ‘Registered Building Practitioners’ with the Victorian Building Authority.
Master Builder
Travis is currently a Master Builder member of Master Builders Australia.
Green Living Master Builder
Capital Building is registered as a Green Living Master Builder Master Builders Association.
Victoria Building Authority
You can check Capital Building’s registration credentials by contacting the Victorian Building Authority. (Tip: search for ‘harnischmacher’ or 'vinton' under the Practitioner Name field)
Public Liability Insurance
Capital Building has Public Liability Insurance up to $5 million. For information about Public Liability Insurance see: Public Liability Insurance
Contract Works Insurance
Capital Building has Contract Works Insurance. For information about Contract Works Insurance see: CoverForce
House Extensions Before and After
Capital strives to create the perfect harmony between style and function, and our skills and knowledge allow us to do so.
There are all sorts of reasons for extending: your family may be growing and you require extra space to all live comfortably at the property; you might want to maximise the property’s space potential; or you might be looking to add more value to your property.
Regardless of your reasons, we can make it happen for you. What’s more, we keep you informed every step of the way, ensuring that you are happy and relaxed regarding all aspects of your property’s transformation. This is all part of striving to provide the best experience possible to our valued clients.
Building a Second Storey Extension
One of the most common dilemmas we come across when people are considering extending a home is whether to build out or up. Building out means extending the floor level space of your home; building up means adding a second floor.
Here we’ll look at some great reasons why to build a second storey, with some essential information about the cost and what planning permits are required.
Reasons to Build a Second Storey
There are many good reasons to build a second storey on your existing home. One of the major advantages is that you do not compromise the space around your house – allowing you to keep, for example, your existing garden or backyard area. This is a really important consideration if you have a family, like to entertain outside or love your vegetable patch or shed.
Another great advantage is that you can significantly increase your floor space even if you are on a small block of land; particularly relevant the closer you are to the city. Other significant reasons why you may want to add a second floor include:
- Building up adds dimension to your house, giving it a more imposing architectural presence.
- An upper level will provide natural insulation for your lower level, which means keeping the heat out during summer and preventing heat escaping during winter (in Melbourne).
- You’ll avoid potential site costs such as installing a new slab or footings, which are required when extending outwards.
- You can enhance your view depending on where you are. For example, the second floor can introduce a view of the city, bay or the leafy surrounding areas.
- You can add significant value to your property, especially if you are a single level property in an area that has many double storey properties.
Most double storey extensions provide additional bedrooms and a bathroom(s) so that all sleeping is contained upstairs. Just be aware that for a second floor to be a real advantage, it’s essential that you build more than just one room. By only adding one room, you won’t gain any spatial advantage as you will lose space on the ground level from the stairs – meaning you will have no extra floor space overall.
Cost
Popular perception suggests that adding a second floor costs significantly more than extending a home outwards. In our experience, this is not the case and it very much depends on what is required and the condition of your building site.
For example, extending a home outward can mean a hefty cost in excavation and disposal and the installation of foundations. An experienced extension builder will charge you about the same per square metre price for an upper as they would for a ground floor shell. However, there is an extra cost for the stairs.
In terms of the cost of cooling or heating an upper storey, there is little difference to that of a ground floor extension. Insulating an upper storey is about the same as insulating a single storey. A second floor does add an extra layer of insulation, resulting in the ground floor being cooler during the summer months whilst also providing opportunities for cooling through *chimney stack ventilation effect if designed correctly. Generally speaking, heating is only required on the ground floor and air-conditioning on the upper level and maybe in the main living area at ground level. Hot air rises, cold air falls.
The Planning Process
When deciding whether to add a second level, the first consideration is whether the existing structure is strong enough to hold another storey. A good building practitioner will be able to advise you from the outset. In our experience, we find that in most situations second-storey extensions are possible.
One of the challenges in designing a second storey is where locate the stair access. Most people do not realise how much space a staircase can require – for example the best part of a small room (approx. 4m2) downstairs to accommodate it. Therefore, some minor redesign of your ground level is always required, for upper storey extensions.
It’s also really important from an aesthetical, functional and value perspective that the second storey blends in with your original property, giving it the appearance that it was built at the same time. This is where hiring a designer-builder is a major advantage.
Before having your plans drawn up, it is essential to check the rules and regulations of your local council. There are specific rules covering areas such as not blocking out neighbours’ sunlight and regulations to prevent your extension ‘overlooking’ neighbouring properties.
Also, the existing structure needs to be considered and taken best advantage of; to attain an aesthetic, efficient result.
In most cases, a second storey can be built whilst you still occupy part of your home. However, builders will need access to your home throughout the construction process. In some cases, you may need to move out of your house, especially if your existing bathrooms, kitchens and laundry are affected.
Our Reviews
A double storey extension involves expanding a single-story home to improve its functionality, aesthetics, and value. It typically includes renovations to multiple areas of the house, adding rooms, extending living spaces, or upgrading existing features.
Double storey extensions provide an opportunity to maximise space, increase living area, enhance comfort, and improve the overall layout of your home. They allow for better utilisation of the available space and can add value to your property.
Capital Building offer a range of double storey extension options, including adding levels, expanding living areas, remodelling bathrooms or kitchens, creating additional bedrooms, and optimising the floor plan to better suit your needs.
The need for planning permits depends on the specific proposal and planning regulations for your property. Our team will guide you through the permit application process and ensure compliance with all necessary permits and permissions.
The duration of a double storey renovation varies depending on the size, complexity, and scope of the project. It can range from several months to a year or more. During the planning phase, we provide estimated timelines based on your specific project.
Yes, Capital Building offer design and build services to help you plan and visualise your double storey extension . Our team of experts can create concept designs and work with you to ensure the proposal meets your aesthetic and functional goals.
Relocating during a double storey renovation depends on the scope of the work and your personal preferences. In some cases, it may be necessary to temporarily relocate to manage disruptions. However, we strive to complete the construction with minimal inconvenience to you.
