Is your house bursting at the seams?
You need more space, but you have run out of land. You face a tough choice: sell the family home, or lose the backyard to a ground-floor extension.
- Kids fighting because they have to share a room?
- Craving a parents' retreat away from the noise of the TV?
- Worried that extending out leaves no grass for the dog?
- Frustrated by a lack of privacy in a single-level layout?
Adding a second floor is the solution. It allows you to stay in your preferred location while doubling your living space on the same footprint.
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Why Build Up instead of Out?
Second-story additions offer specific lifestyle advantages for Illawarra homes that a rear extension cannot match:
Capture the View: Many single-level homes in our region have hidden potential. Going up often reveals ocean views or escarpment views you did not know you had. This adds significant value to the property.
Privacy Zoning: A single-level home often feels noisy. By building up, you create a physical separation between the living areas (downstairs) and sleeping quarters (upstairs). This reduces noise transfer and provides parents and teenagers with distinct zones.
Keep the Yard: Land is valuable. By building vertically, you preserve your garden for a pool, a shed, or just open space for the kids to run.
Capture the View: Many single-level homes in our region have hidden potential. Going up often reveals ocean views or escarpment views you did not know you had. This adds significant value to the property.
Privacy Zoning: A single-level home often feels noisy. By building up, you create a physical separation between the living areas (downstairs) and sleeping quarters (upstairs). This reduces noise transfer and provides parents and teenagers with distinct zones.
Keep the Yard: Land is valuable. By building vertically, you preserve your garden for a pool, a shed, or just open space for the kids to run.
Critical Considerations for a Double Storey Extension
“Going up” is technically complex. You need a builder who understands structural loads and weatherproofing. We manage these technical risks so you don’t have to worry about them.
1. Structural Reinforcement Your existing walls were built to hold a roof, not a second house. We must determine if your current frame can support the new weight. This often involves an engineering assessment to determine whether we need to install steel beams. We handle this investigation early to prevent budget surprises.
2. Roof Removal & Weatherproofing To build up, we must remove your existing roof. This exposes your home to the elements. We use strict weatherproofing protocols to protect your ground floor ceilings and walls from rain damage. We plan our builds to complete the new roof quickly to make the structure watertight.
3. Staircase Placement You will lose some space downstairs for the stairs. The art is in the placement. A bad design cuts into your living room. A good design utilises “dead space.” We aim to use existing hallways or sacrifice a small study to keep your main living flow uninterrupted.
1. Structural Reinforcement Your existing walls were built to hold a roof, not a second house. We must determine if your current frame can support the new weight. This often involves an engineering assessment to determine whether we need to install steel beams. We handle this investigation early to prevent budget surprises.
2. Roof Removal & Weatherproofing To build up, we must remove your existing roof. This exposes your home to the elements. We use strict weatherproofing protocols to protect your ground floor ceilings and walls from rain damage. We plan our builds to complete the new roof quickly to make the structure watertight.
3. Staircase Placement You will lose some space downstairs for the stairs. The art is in the placement. A bad design cuts into your living room. A good design utilises “dead space.” We aim to use existing hallways or sacrifice a small study to keep your main living flow uninterrupted.
How We Build Your Second Story
We follow a strict sequence to minimise risk and disruption.
- Feasibility & Engineering: We confirm your foundations are strong enough.
- Design & Approval: We design the upper level to match your existing roof pitch and cladding, ensuring it looks original. We handle the DA Approval or CDC.
- Demolition & Protection: We remove the roof and tarp the structure.
- Framing: We crane in the steel and timber frames.
- Lock-Up: We install the roof, windows, and cladding to seal the house.
- Fit Out: We install insulation, gyprock, electrical, and plumbing.
- Breakthrough: We cut the hole for the stairs and connect the two levels.
Our team brings your vision to life. We transform your ideas into practical, beautiful living spaces that improve your lifestyle and match your existing home.
START YOUR DREAM HOME TODAY
Secure Your Complimentary Design & Build Consultation
During this consultation, you will receive:
- Personalised Design Consultation
- On-Site Walk-Thru and Inspection
- Contractor Collaboration
- Detailed Selections Checklist & Comparison
- Preliminary Estimate and Budget Outline
- Project Timeline For Completion
- Access to our Trusted Partner Network
Our Adlington Assurance
Our Adlington Assurance represents our unwavering commitment to delivering every aspect of your extension project to the highest standard of quality and craftsmanship.
We understand that extending your home is a significant financial and emotional investment, which is why we guarantee your complete satisfaction with the finished result. If any aspect of your extension doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll work closely with you to address your concerns and make it right.
This commitment extends beyond the completion of construction, encompassing ongoing support, scheduled maintenance guidance, and comprehensive warranties that give you confidence in your investment for years to come.
We understand that extending your home is a significant financial and emotional investment, which is why we guarantee your complete satisfaction with the finished result. If any aspect of your extension doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll work closely with you to address your concerns and make it right.
This commitment extends beyond the completion of construction, encompassing ongoing support, scheduled maintenance guidance, and comprehensive warranties that give you confidence in your investment for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a second-story addition, we recommend moving out. The process involves removing the roof, which creates significant dust, noise, and safety risks. Moving out allows us to work faster, which ultimately saves you money on the total 2nd-storey addition cost.
It varies by complexity, but the build typically takes 6 to 9 months. The design and approval stage can take just as long, so we recommend starting the conversation early.
Most timber frame and brick veneer homes in the Illawarra can support a second story. We may need to laminate existing studs or add steel posts. Our engineer determines this during the Feasibility Stage.
Removing the roof often requires removing existing ducting. We design a new HVAC plan to ensure both the new level and the ground floor are comfortable.
Building up often changes the height and shadow profile of your home, which affects neighbours. This usually requires a DA, but some designs fit within Complying Development (CDC). We manage this assessment for you.
Is your house strong enough?
Do not guess about structural walls. Book a site meeting with Duane Adlington. We will assess your existing home and advise you on whether “going up” is the right move.