How much does a ground floor extension cost in Melbourne?

A quality ground floor extension in Melbourne sits around $4,500–$5,500 per m² of new floor area in 2026. A 40m² addition typically lands $180k–$220k for the extension itself, before any refresh of the existing house.

Do I need a planning permit for a ground floor extension?

Often no. If you're within site coverage, permeability and setback rules and outside a heritage overlay, a building permit alone is usually enough. Overlays, oversized additions and boundary walls are the usual triggers for a full planning permit.

How long does a ground floor extension take?

Design and approvals typically run 2–4 months, with 4–6 months on site. Heritage-overlay approvals add another 2–3 months to the front end.

Can I live in the house during a ground floor extension?

Yes, in almost every case. The existing house stays intact and habitable through the build, with the tie-in wall opened up only once the new extension is weathertight.

Is a ground floor extension better than a second storey?

For families with young kids or anyone planning to stay long-term, ground floor is usually the smarter play — no stair loss of floor plate, no upstairs to build twice, and no disruption to living in the home during the build. Second storey wins when your block is tight and you can't push out.

Ground floor extension with timber soffit and glazing to garden

Ground floor extensions

Ground floor extensions — more house without ever climbing stairs.

For families who want more space, but not a second storey. Ground floor extensions push out to the side or rear, add real light, and keep the home usable at every age.

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The RenoWorx ground-floor extension

One level, done well, is worth more than two done cheaply.

A ground floor extension is often the smartest brief we get — it delivers open-plan living, a proper kitchen, a study or a fourth bedroom, and it never triggers the disruption or planning complexity of going up. It also future-proofs the home for ageing in place. We design ground-level additions that respect the existing floor line, borrow light through pop-up clerestories or highlight windows, and hold value long-term.

30+

Years experience

500+

Homes transformed

100%

Licensed & insured

What's included

Everything handled, end-to-end.

Site & feasibility

Boundary check, easements, site coverage and setback assessment.

Architectural design

Rear, side or wrap-around plan responding to sun and garden orientation.

Permits & approvals

Building permit; planning permit where site coverage or overlays require it.

Structural build

Footings, slab, framing, roof — all engineered for the existing house.

Light & thermal

Highlight windows, clerestories, double glazing, insulation, energy compliance.

Interior fit-out

Kitchen, joinery, flooring, painting, lighting and appliances.

Our process

A clear path from first call to handover.

Consultation

On-site visit to understand your vision, your home, and what success looks like.

Design & quote

Detailed scope, fixed pricing, design coordination with our trusted partners.

Build

Skilled trades, weekly updates, a clean and respectful site from start to finish.

Handover

Walk-through, defect-free finish, and a workmanship warranty you can rely on.

Featured work

Recent projects in this category.

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Ground Floor Extension

Timber Soffit Extension

Ground Floor Detail

Soffit Detail

Ground floor rear extension in zinc and timber opening to a landscaped courtyard

Ground Floor Extension

Zinc & Timber Courtyard

Servicing Melbourne's Inner West

Why RenoWorx

The difference is in how we build.

Three decades earning the trust of Melbourne homeowners — through the quality of our work, and the way we work.

01
One builder, end-to-end
Design coordination, trades, project management and handover — one accountable team.
02
Transparent pricing
Detailed scope and a fixed quote upfront. No vague allowances, no surprise variations.
03
Clean, respectful sites
We protect your home, communicate weekly, and leave your space tidy at end of each day.
04
Built to last
Quality fixtures, considered detailing, structural integrity — workmanship warranty included.

Where we build

Ground floor extensions across Melbourne's Inner West.

Ground-level additions are our most common brief on family homes across Newport, Williamstown and Yarraville. Each has its own planning quirks around site coverage, permeability and heritage — we handle all of them.

Inner West