Home Renovations Clifton Hill

Often, yes. In Clifton Hill’s heritage precincts a new upper level is usually set well back from the street frontage, so the single-storey house still reads clearly from the footpath. A planning permit from the City of Yarra is generally needed, as well as a building permit. We look at the structure, your grading and neighbours’ outlooks before design.

Yes. The City of Yarra grades properties in its heritage precincts, and the grading affects how much change council will support, especially at the front of the house. You can find it in the Victorian Heritage Database entry for many addresses, or ask council. We check it at the start so the design suits the controls.

It depends on what is being rebuilt. If the kitchen and bathroom at the rear are replaced together, most owners move out for at least part of the job. In larger houses, staging the work so one wet area stays in use is sometimes possible. We contain the work zone, clean up as we go and agree the stages with you.

Start with the items a building inspection will pick up: sloping floors from old stumps, damp, cracked plaster, old wiring and roof leaks. In a heritage street like most in Clifton Hill, repairing the verandah, front fence and timber windows helps the house present well. A big extension needs planning approval, so it suits a longer timeframe than most sales allow.