Sarah and Warren loved their home. It was where they brought their children home from the hospital for the first time, it was in the perfect location, and they couldn’t picture living anywhere else. But it just wasn’t big enough. Upsizing locally to a three-bedroom home with a second living area was financially out of reach, so an extension became the obvious way to stay where they loved while creating the space they needed.
From the outset, the design process was challenging, which we love because it really gets our creative juices flowing. Despite being a modest home, it was not straightforward to extend, and Sarah and Warren’s initial ideas were quite ambitious. One of the benefits of working with a one-stop-shop team like ours is that we can give honest, early guidance to shape ideas into something achievable, functional, and within budget. For Sarah and Warren, this meant steering them away from a second-storey extension and instead showing them a practical single-level option that delivered everything they wanted and better value for money, a key goal for most of our clients.
The property was also on a cross-lease title, which can feel daunting for homeowners looking to extend. In reality, it is a straightforward process when guided correctly and with the right support. We introduced them to a surveyor we work closely with, who helped them through the process and ensured everything progressed smoothly, giving them confidence at every step.
Once we had worked through the options, the final concept was to extend the house in three directions. This approach unlocked a third bedroom, a master suite with ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, and a significantly larger living space. Extending the lounge also created the opportunity for a striking new front entry and allowed us to incorporate the kitchen island Sarah had always wanted, creating the perfect place for the family to reconnect after busy days at work and school.
During the build, Sarah and Warren chose to move out, which made the process easier for them. Had they not had family nearby, they could have remained in the home for the duration of construction with minimal disruption, as the family bathroom remained untouched and we enforce a strict barefoot walking guarantee with all trades, keeping little toes and even the cat’s paws safe. Weekly progress reports kept them fully informed, allowing them to follow the transformation without day-to-day stress.
The finished home now works beautifully for family life. A third bedroom, ensuite, and walk-in wardrobe give everyone their own space, while the extended living areas create a sense of openness and flow that suits a young family perfectly. At the heart of it all, the kitchen island has become the central hub for cooking, gathering, and entertaining, and now when visitors arrive, the kids are the first to proudly show them around.
