Home Extensions Melbourne
Brownlow Building are Melbourne's trusted home extension builders. From ground floor rear extensions to full second storey additions, we design and build seamless extensions that add living space, increase property value, and complement your existing home.
Home Extensions Melbourne — Add Space Without Moving
For Melbourne families who've outgrown their home but love their location, a home extension is often the smartest solution. Rather than the cost and disruption of moving — stamp duty, agent fees, and leaving a neighbourhood you love — extending your existing home delivers the space you need without sacrificing what matters most.
Brownlow Building specialise in designing and building home extensions across Melbourne that blend seamlessly with the existing structure, maintain street appeal, and comply with all local council regulations. With more than 40 years of combined construction experience and registration as a Victorian builder (CDB-U 100870), our family-run building company manages every stage — from design concept and council approvals through to construction and handover.
Types of Home Extensions We Build in Melbourne
Rear Extensions
The most popular home extension type in Melbourne — extending towards the rear garden to create open-plan kitchen, dining, and living spaces that connect to the outdoors.
Second Storey Additions
Add a full or partial second storey to your Melbourne home to create additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and living space without reducing your garden or outdoor area.
Side Return Extensions
Utilise the narrow side passage of your Melbourne home to add valuable floor space — common in terrace homes and narrow-block properties across the inner suburbs.
Ground Floor Additions
Extend your ground floor living areas, add a master suite, create a home office, or build an additional family room — all on ground level with minimal structural complexity.
Open-Plan Extension Conversions
Extend and reconfigure your rear living area to create a modern open-plan kitchen, dining, and living space that flows to the outdoor entertaining area.
Multi-Level Extensions
Complex multi-level extensions adding significant living space across two or more levels — ideal for large families requiring substantial additional accommodation.
Home Extension Cost Melbourne — What to Budget
Home extension costs in Melbourne vary significantly depending on size, complexity, material selection, and council requirements. The following provides a general guide:
Small Ground Floor Extension (30–50m²)
$120,000 – $200,000
Basic structural extension, standard finishes, single room addition
Medium Ground Floor Extension (50–100m²)
$200,000 – $350,000
Open-plan living and kitchen extension, premium finishes, outdoor connection
Second Storey Addition
$250,000 – $500,000+
Full or partial second storey adding 2–4 bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas
Please note: Extension pricing does not include kitchen or bathroom fit-outs unless specified. These can be quoted separately as part of your overall project. For a personalised quote, contact Brownlow Building for a free consultation.
Council Permits for Home Extensions in Melbourne
Most home extensions in Melbourne require a building permit, and many will also require a planning permit — particularly in heritage overlay areas, in properties with strict setback requirements, or where the extension affects neighbourhood character. Brownlow Building manages the entire permit process, including:
Designing an Extension That Blends With Your Melbourne Home
One of the most critical aspects of a successful home extension is architectural integration — ensuring the extension feels like it was always part of the home, not an afterthought bolted on the back. Brownlow Building takes a design-led approach to every extension, considering the existing roofline, materials, window proportions, and internal flow before a single line is drawn.
We work with qualified architects and designers where the project requires it, and for many standard extensions our experienced team can develop design documentation in-house. Every extension is presented in 3D visualisation so you can see exactly how your finished home will look before work commences.
Home Extensions Across All Melbourne Suburbs
We deliver home extensions across all Melbourne suburbs including Camberwell, Hawthorn, Box Hill, Balwyn, Kew, Surrey Hills, Canterbury, Toorak, South Yarra, Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham, Mentone, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Northcote, Richmond, Ringwood, Croydon, Frankston, Mornington, and Mount Eliza. We also service Geelong, Ballarat, and the Mornington Peninsula.
Whether you're in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs or coastal Bayside areas, our team brings the same design expertise, construction quality, and project management excellence to every home extension project.
Pair Your Extension With Other Services
Frequently Asked Questions — Home Extensions Melbourne
Do I need a planning permit for a home extension in Melbourne?
It depends on your council, zone, and the size of the extension. Many extensions under a certain size (typically 40–60m² depending on council) are exempt from planning permits but still require a building permit. Heritage overlay properties almost always require planning permits. Brownlow Building assesses permit requirements at no cost during the consultation.
How long does a home extension take to build in Melbourne?
Most home extensions take 3–6 months to build once permits are approved. The permit process itself can take 6–12 weeks for a building permit, or 3–6 months if a planning permit is required. We provide realistic timelines upfront.
What is the difference between a rear extension and a second storey addition?
A rear extension extends your home's footprint at ground level, typically towards the rear garden. A second storey addition adds a new floor above the existing structure. Both add significant living space but differ in cost, complexity, council requirements, and impact on outdoor space.
Can you manage both the extension and kitchen/bathroom fit-out?
Yes. Brownlow Building regularly manages the complete extension project including kitchen, bathroom, and laundry fit-outs. Doing everything with one builder simplifies communication, reduces costs, and ensures a cohesive result.
Does a home extension require Home Warranty?
From 1 July 2026, Home Warranty replaced Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) for new eligible domestic building work in Victoria, generally applying to eligible contracts valued at more than $20,000. Existing DBI policies continue under the previous scheme. Read our guide to Home Warranty and Domestic Building Insurance. Brownlow Building arranges the required insurance for eligible extension projects.
- Registered Victorian Builder — CDB-U 100870
- Home Warranty for eligible domestic building work
- 40+ Years Combined Construction Experience
- Melbourne Based
Clear advice. Experienced people. A structured approach from the first conversation through to completion.
Ready to Extend Your Melbourne Home?
Book a free on-site consultation with Brownlow Building. We'll assess your property, discuss your vision, and provide a comprehensive fixed-price extension quote.
Registered Victorian Builder CDB-U 100870 · Council Permits Managed · Home Warranty where required · All Melbourne Suburbs