spacemaker logo white

Custom home extensions and renovations in Melbourne

Upgrade your lifestyle with our house extensions and renovations

Extending and renovating your home is both exciting and rewarding.

As a boutique building company with more than 50 years of experience, Spacemaker Home Extensions is highly regarded within the industry for our high-quality custom-designed home extensions and renovations in Melbourne. We work with our clients from the beginning to the end of the building process, from creating bespoke home designs, construction, project management and site supervision to assisting with council planning permits and liaising with your local planning department. We engage the finest tradespeople and work with premium building partners and suppliers.

Contact Us
Home extension icon, representing Spacemaker's expertise

Single Storey Home Extensions

A single-storey house extension can be the perfect solution when you have outgrown your home but love your neighbourhood. Our home designs maximise your block’s size whilst improving your home's overall layout, functionality and resale value.

We have specialised in customised single storey home extensions for over five decades.

Second Storey Home Extensions

When it isn’t possible to build out, sometimes it makes sense to build up. In many cases, particularly in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs, blocks are tiny and there is simply no space to extend the footprint of your house on the ground floor.

We have been transforming Melbourne homes with custom second storey home extensions since 1969.

Renovation icon, symbolising Spacemaker's renovation services

Custom Home Renovations

Our specialty is customised home designs and renovation projects tailored to suit our clients' individual lifestyles. Our team is highly experienced in upgrading Melbourne properties and is expert in renovations for heritage homes, Federation and Victorian-style properties, and more contemporary designs.

Begin your home improvement journey with a superior custom home renovation.

Request a call back to discuss your next project

CONTACT US

The benefits of house extensions and renovations

There are many advantages to undertaking a home extension and renovation project. From remaining close to family, friends and schools in a place where many happy family memories have occurred to opting for a more cost-effective option than relocating, here are some of the key reasons to choose a home renovation or extension:
Value-adding icon for Spacemaker's home renovation services

1. Add value

Whether you’re adding a ground-floor or second-storey extension or fully renovating your home, Spacemaker’s well-designed and constructed home renovations and extensions will substantially increase its value. 

It’s money well spent, especially if you plan to sell your home in the future. As well as enhancing your lifestyle while you live there, a quality custom extension or renovation will make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

2. Improve functionality and layout

Inviting more natural light into your home, increasing ventilation, improving the overall flow between rooms and zones, or just enhancing the general functionality of your home will make it more liveable. Take note of aspects of your home that could be changed, updated or improved, and view our project gallery to get inspiration about how we can help you maximise your spaces.

Make the most of your current abode by using a reputable extension and renovation builder to integrate innovative solutions, better storage and cohesive flow between all zones.  

3. Extend your floor plan

If your existing house no longer meets your lifestyle needs, for example, if you have a growing family or young adult children who need more privacy, a home improvement could be the ideal solution to help you take advantage of the space available on your block. 

By extending your home’s footprint and maximising areas that are currently underutilised, you can significantly improve your family’s comfort levels and lifestyle. Speak with Spacemaker Home Extensions, one of Melbourne’s most highly regarded and awarded home renovation and extension builders, and let us show you what can be done! 

Icon for savings on upfront costs with Spacemaker projects

4. Save on relocation costs

With a reputable extension and renovation builder, even the most unappealing, poorly laid-out house can be converted into an amazing home without substantial relocation costs or inconvenience.

Giving your existing home a facelift is often more cost-effective than a new build or buying a bigger house. The actual cost of relocation includes real estate fees, legal bills, moving costs, stamp duty and many other expenses, sometimes greater than 8% of the home’s value. It may be wiser to channel that money into a home improvement using the expertise of your renovation and extension builder. 

Enjoyment icon, representing client satisfaction with Spacemaker

5. Greater enjoyment

Anyone who’s lived in a house that needs work or has an impractical layout will appreciate the transformation a home improvement can bring. A home that has been given a fresh makeover with cleverly designed spaces, enhanced features and new fittings can bring enormous lifestyle benefits. 

Think of a retreat for mum and dad, room for the children to play, an extra bathroom or open-plan living to entertain in style with family and friends! Our clients often tell us how thrilled they are with the greater enjoyment the skilled renovations by our experienced team have brought to their lifestyle. 

Stress-free experience icon for Spacemaker's hassle-free service

6. Less fuss

With home extensions and renovations, there is no need to move or spend time searching for another property. This often means less cost, less effort and less stress, particularly if you love your neighbourhood and the connections you have in the area. 

While you can expect some lifestyle changes while building works are underway, this phase is short-lived. With Spacemaker Home Extensions as your quality home improvement builder, disruption is kept to a minimum. Our courteous team respects you and your property, cleaning up as they go and keeping you informed as work progresses.  

Icon of Spacemaker's commitment to personal touch in projects

7. The personal touch

House extensions and renovations give you complete freedom to unleash your personality into all aspects of your home by selecting the options that work best for your family. Let your imagination run wild as your choices turn your home into a showcase of your personal style and flair. 

It can be deeply exhilarating, exciting and addictive to make your own decisions about everything from the number of bedrooms, kitchen layout, home appliances and type of storage space to the design style of your home, so much so that many people can’t seem to shake off the renovation bug once they start!   

Key icon, symbolising access to Spacemaker's quality services

8. You're in control

Quality home extension and renovation builders are not always easy to find. Many come and go, while others are unreliable or go over budget. Spacemaker Home Extensions ticks all the boxes, which is why we have been in business for over 50 years and why our customers refer us to their friends and families. 

We work closely with you to ensure your home improvement project stays on track and is completed on time and within budget. We arrange all the relevant council approvals and tailor the project according to your preferences. That way, you can enjoy the process and always feel in control.  

Icon for homes with character, a hallmark of Spacemaker designs

9. Retain the original character

Often our clients love their home’s original features but are frustrated with its impractical layout and dated fittings. A custom renovation with a quality extension and renovation builder can preserve the home’s original character while incorporating fresh solutions.

Our team is expert at working your home’s original unique character or historic features into the new design to give you modern comfort and convenience with the charm and appeal of the past. Alternatively, we can introduce a more contemporary feel to your Melbourne home extension while working within heritage requirements. 

Request a call back to discuss your next project

CONTACT US

The different types of house extensions

Depending on your family’s needs and the lifestyle you would like to create, different types of home extensions can cater to your requirements.
tour

Single storey house extensions

A ground floor or single storey home extension is a popular choice when you have space surrounding the property to build outwards. This type of project may involve expanding existing living areas such as the meals, dining or lounge, or adding multiple new rooms such as bedrooms. Speak with one of our design consultants to learn more about our single storey house extensions and the many advantages you can gain from extending your home.

Hawthorn extension and renovations - view of house from the pool area

Second storey house extensions

If space on your property is limited, or you would like to build upwards to take advantage of the views, a second storey home extension may be the solution. Many of our clients experience significant lifestyle improvements from a second or double storey home extension project. It gives them the same advantages as a single storey extension, without sacrificing precious space in the backyard or gardens.

Brunswick West project rear decking area

Rear home extensions

Extending the rear of the home can help maximise the space on a narrow city block in Melbourne. A rear extension opens up the home and invites the outdoors in, increasing natural light and creating an open-plan layout for your family to enjoy. Similar to a single storey extension, a rear extension can add a single room or multiple rooms to your home. Talk to us about planning permits and design recommendations to suit your family’s needs. 

See our home renovations and extensions

Spacemaker Home Extensions has been transforming Melbourne homes for more than five decades. Our diverse home extension and renovation project portfolio includes heritage-listed homes, Federation and Victorian-style properties, along with more modern Australian designs. Some examples of our recent projects include:

Home extension and renovation in Fairfield, Melbourne

This luxurious Fairfield property in Melbourne’s inner-city suburbs maximises space to accommodate the needs of a growing family. Spacemaker Home Extensions doubled the size of the original floor plan by including a second storey with a clever and innovative design that introduced enough space for two new bedrooms, a large sitting room ideal to use as a kid’s playroom, and a modern bathroom, toilet and powder room. Downstairs, a new kitchen and larger living spaces were added, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor zones. The alfresco area boasts a convenient outdoor kitchen and entertaining area, perfect for the whole family. 

VIEW PROJECT

Major demolition and extension in Albert Park, Melbourne

Awarded winner in the 2020 HIA Awards in the HIA Renovation / Addition Project $800,001 – $1 million category, this custom home extension in Albert Park is an exceptional example of Spacemaker’s experience as a premium custom extension builder in Melbourne. Located on a tiny block with a heritage overlay, the homeowners loved the location but needed more space with updated amenities. Taking the floorplan from 95 to 170 sqm over 46 weeks, we transformed this home into a modern three-bedroom sanctuary. Skylights and an internal lightwell invite natural light inside, opening it up and evoking a feeling of spaciousness. 

VIEW PROJECT

Preparing for home renovations and extensions

Melbourne home renovation projects are exciting but can often feel daunting and complex, or become unnecessarily expensive if you engage the wrong professional to undertake your work. It’s essential to enlist the help of a reputable design and construct renovation and extension builder. 

Our team can help you prepare for a house extension and answer your questions. Since 1969, we have helped thousands of homeowners across Melbourne transform their houses into their dream abodes.

Where to start with house extensions and renovations

With so many options available, writing down your main objectives is the best place to start. Ask yourself, what am I trying to achieve with this project? It’s important to think about the problem you are trying to solve before coming up with a solution. For example, you may have a growing family that needs more space. If so, a quick fix like an extra bedroom may only be part of the longer-term solution. Once you know what you want to achieve, use photographs and ideas to create a scrapbook or digital mood board. This will help you visualise what you have in mind and organise your wish list into one place, making it easy to discuss with others.

Create your mood board or scrapbook with those who live in your home to ensure they contribute to the process from the beginning. Once you have some visual examples of what you are hoping to achieve, speak with the experts for advice and to learn more about what is feasible for your property. 

How to start planning a home extension and renovation

When planning a house extension project, consider your key objectives, timeline and budget before you start speaking with a builder. An experienced builder will help you refine your goals to ensure they meet your lifestyle needs while explaining the required timelines. Work out your budget at the beginning of the process to ensure that your ideas and objectives align with what you can afford. 

Once you have considered your objectives and budget, it’s time to speak with a builder about the next steps in the process. 

Tips for engaging us as your custom builder

As an experienced custom home building company, we have been working with Melbourne homeowners for more than 50 years. Our streamlined process and key recommendations help our clients plan ahead and know what to expect throughout their home transformation journey.

Our six-step home transformation process

Spacemaker Home Extensions has developed a simple six-step process to help our customers plan a home extension project that maps out what to expect at each stage. We find that these easy steps are the recipe to a successful building project: 

Home icon, reflecting Spacemaker's focus on residential projects

1. Home visit

Home building icon, symbolising Spacemaker's construction expertise

2. Concept plans

Icon for detailed home extension quotes by Spacemaker

3. Detailed project plans

Budget planning icon for Spacemaker Home Extensions

4. Budgets and timings

Australian building permits icon, relevant to Spacemaker's services

5. Support with permits and town planning

Icon symbolising Spacemaker's extensive building experience

6. Management on site

If you would like some advice about your next project, speak with us about your Melbourne home extension ideas. Our experienced team will guide you in the right direction.

Preparing for the concept design phase

Our home designs blend practicality with creativity and innovation. To help with the design and concept development stage, we recommend collecting as much information as possible to help document your ideas. Think about your brief in detail before speaking with us, your custom extension and renovation builder in Melbourne.

Consider your requirements and what type of project could be right for your property and budget. It could be a single storey extension, double storey extension, an additional wing or a renovation to revamp tired living spaces.

Be clear about your budget and priorities so our designer can create a design you love that meets your budget.

Budgets and timings

Designs and floor plans emerge only after extensive consultation with our clients, so everyone is on the same page before construction starts. You’ll receive a final fixed project price and ongoing support throughout the build, which will be delivered with a project timeline before agreements are signed.

Frequently asked questions about house extensions and renovations

Do I need an architect for a home extension or renovation project?

Engaging an architect often costs 5% to 20% of the total project fee. Spacemaker Home Extensions will save you unnecessary architectural fees and manage the entire project from the planning phase through to development of the initial design concepts and construction delivery. You won’t need an external architect when you choose us as your custom home extension and renovation builder. At Spacemaker, you will work with one designer and project manager throughout the project. They will liaise with you on all matters and answer all your questions about architectural planning and drafting.

When deciding between a home renovation or an extension, many factors influence what is best for your property and your family. 

A home extension can be an excellent choice for those with a larger plot of land where the existing floor plan can be extended or for those with space to build up. Ideal where more space is required for entertaining, accommodating a growing family or changing lifestyle needs, home extensions are also preferrable to relocating, especially if you and your family love the area you currently live in. 

Generally, an extension project will include some form of renovation to the existing building façade and merging new and old zones. Home extensions are often more expensive than renovations, especially when adding a second floor.

A custom home renovation in Melbourne is often more affordable than buying a new home. Renovations can adapt the existing floorplan and upgrade interior spaces to improve natural light, ventilation and flow between rooms or zones throughout the home, or maximise the convenience of open-plan living. A renovation can also focus on one or two areas, such as revamping dated bathroom and kitchen areas to improve resale value. 

Speak with an experienced renovation and extension builder to determine the best option for your situation. 

There are many ways to create a seamless flow between the façade of an existing house and the rooms that have been added to a home with an extension. The materials selected for the extension and the design of the new zones are key to effectively tying the old and new spaces together. A builder specialising in home extensions throughout some of Melbourne’s most premium suburbs will have an eye for details that other home builders may overlook. Our experienced design consultants have worked with homeowners in Toorak, Albert Park, Malvern and various other prestigious locations across the city. They are experts in the art of creating new spaces that blend in perfectly with the home’s existing façade and interior. While we love working on homes built in any era, our team are particularly skilled at extending and renovating character homes, period architecture and heritage-listed homes. 

Generally speaking, yes—but not all home extensions are created equal. It’s important to get expert advice and learn more about where to invest your time, effort and budget before embarking on a house extension solely to add value to your property.

Whilst many of our clients live in their updated homes for many years, they also benefit from increased property value when it’s time to sell. If adding value to your home for future resale is a key motivation to extend or renovate, we can help you with recommendations to increase its value.

The cost of a home extension can vary depending on the design and materials used to complete the project. Our home extension projects can range from anywhere between $200,000 and $3 million. It’s important to check the quotes you receive carefully for hidden or excluded costs such as demolition work, excavation and debris removal, which can often be added as an extra fee once the project is agreed upon. Other builders provide costs that are hidden within inadequate allowances within prime cost and provisional sums, resulting in unexpected additional costs to the client. At Spacemaker Home Extensions, our quotes are accurate, with a detailed description of works to avoid nasty surprises or additional costs. Our thorough quotation process means you can relax knowing your budget is protected by an experienced and highly respected building company in Melbourne. 

We have designed and constructed thousands of double storey homes in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. Costs vary significantly depending on the design, age of the home and materials needed to create a seamless flow between the new and existing elements. In our experience, the average investment for a two storey home extension in Melbourne ranges between $320,000 and $640,000.

At Spacemaker Home Extensions, we specialise in high-quality home extensions for single and double storey homes in Melbourne. Our estimates are comprehensive and transparent, and we don’t hide costs when we quote on a home extension project. Our clients return to us multiple times because they value our honest and trustworthy approach as much as they love the homes that we create for them.

The cost per square metre varies, however, the average Spacemaker Home Extension project ranges between $400,000 and $600,000.

Request a call back to discuss your next project

CONTACT US
Malvern extensions and renovation - fireplace and outdoor entertainment area

Frequently asked questions about demolition work

What is demolition work and what does it involve?

In terms of home building and renovation, a demolition is generally the removal of a load-bearing structure within a home. This ranges in complexity and could be as straightforward as removing a single wall or the removal of a room, or an entire residence to make way for a new build to commence. 

When renovating and extending a home, it may be most appropriate to demolish part of the home or to move existing walls, depending on the home designs and the council planning requirements in your area. Before giving a quote for a renovation or extension project, our design consultants will speak with you about your ideas for your home and carry out a comprehensive inspection of your property. We will then inform you if a partial or full demolition is the most appropriate for your plans.   

The costs to demolish a house are usually calculated by the square metre. In some cases, demolition work is calculated on an hourly basis. Costs will vary depending on the size of the area that needs to be removed, the materials of the house, whether any hazardous materials need to be removed, the removal of foundations, site accessibility, and the equipment and number of personnel needed to complete the job. Before agreeing on a demolition, a quality home builder will provide you with estimated costs and timeframes based on rigorous site inspections.

When renovating or extending your kitchen, your builder usually calculates the cost of demolishing, removing, and disposing of your existing kitchen cupboards, fixtures, fittings and accessories as part of the overall project cost. Spacemaker Home Extensions specialises in kitchen renovations and extensions as part of our whole home renovations. Kitchen demolition is built into the service we provide when our clients embark on a renovation or extension project with us.

Spacemaker Home Extensions estimates that demolition costs in Melbourne start at approximately $16,000 for a complete house removal. Estimates vary significantly depending on exactly what your demolition requirements are. Spacemaker includes demolition costs in quotes for our home extension and renovation projects. If you choose to work with a different builder, speak with them to confirm the rates you should expect to pay for the demolition work needed on your property.
Speak to a trusted home builder with a reputation for handling demolition jobs in your area. At Spacemaker, our recommendations and estimates are always well-researched and focused on creating homes our customers will enjoy living in for many years. To create an estimate, we discuss the changes you would like to make to your home and the lifestyle benefits you hope to achieve. A site inspection will be planned for a time that suits you and we will work with you on the overall design of your home before we discuss demolition requirements. If demolition work is needed to achieve your goals, we will evaluate the size of the area to be removed, the materials your home is constructed from, the home’s foundations and the accessibility of the property. This information will be used to prepare an estimate for the overall project rather than demolition as an independent service.

Discover the Spacemaker difference

Spacemaker Home Extensions is a multi-award-winning Melbourne-based extension and renovation builder with more than five decades of experience. We are custom home building specialists, offering our clients a seamless process from the design and construction stage through to project completion and handover. Contact us to speak with our custom home design consultants and begin your journey towards an exciting new home.

Request a call back to discuss your next project

CONTACT US
Google review icon representing customer satisfaction at Spacemaker Home Extensions
Registration Number: CDB-U 50884

QUICK LINKS

Master builders logo
Master Builders Australia
HIAAward
Award badge for Spacemaker, an HIA-recognised builder with over 30 years of excellence

CONTACT US

Spacemaker Home Extensions Unit 1, 173-181 Rooks Road Vermont VIC 3133

CALL US

03 8873 7800

DOWNLOAD PORTFOLIO

brochure-portfolio@2x

CONNECT WITH US

Facebook Instagram

CONTACT US

Download Our Portfolio

spacemaker logo white
Mobile-alt Facebook Instagram