Whether a home extension needs a planning permit in Victoria comes down to lot size, zoning and overlays - and for a large share of standard suburban blocks, the planning permit step has not applied since Amendment VC243 made the rule uniform statewide in 2023. This guide covers what actually decides it for a ground-floor or single-storey extension, including the 2025 changes to how smaller lots are assessed.
Most homeowners planning an extension call a builder first. But before a builder can price the work or start construction, there is a substantial pre-build phase: concept design, working drawings, engineering, energy assessment, and permits. This guide explains the sequence from first designer meeting to builder appointment.
The design decisions in a house extension - orientation, extension type, indoor-outdoor connection, and how new meets old - determine how well the finished space works. This guide walks through what to consider before you engage a builder or finalise your brief.
Deciding whether to demolish and build new or work with what you have is one of the bigger calls a homeowner can make. This guide covers the decision framework, demolition process, Victoria's 2025 planning changes, costs, and what makes Mornington Peninsula knockdown rebuild projects different from a standard Melbourne suburban project.
Adding a second storey is one of the most effective ways to gain space when your block won't support a ground floor extension. This guide covers structural feasibility, Victoria's September 2025 planning changes - including the bedroom overlooking exemption - permit requirements, the design process, and what to budget for a second storey addition in Melbourne.
Most Melbourne homeowners start their extension by calling a builder. Here's why that leads to quotes that are all over the place - and what the design and documentation process actually involves before any work begins.
The Mornington Peninsula has its own planning complexity, its own character, and its own design priorities. If you are planning a renovation or extension, here is what to look for in a local interior designer and why local expertise matters more than most people expect.