Surrey Hills is renowned for its beautiful, tree-lined streets and historic properties, making it an incredible place to live, but a highly specific area to build in. Whether you own a classic Edwardian, a Californian Bungalow, or a mid-century home, updating these properties requires deep respect for heritage alongside an understanding of strict local council overlays.
Operating just a straightforward drive away from our Kilsyth base, we bring the exact expertise needed to handle complex period extensions and premium custom builds in Melbourne’s inner east.
For over 25 years, our family-owned business has been delivering high-end residential construction without the typical industry stress. Led by Nicholas and Renee Ralph, our approach is anchored in total transparency: we run on fixed-price contracts and provide honest, practical advice long before you commit to architectural drawings. If your property falls under the Boroondara or Whitehorse City Councils, we help you navigate the tricky landscape of neighbourhood character and heritage requirements right from the start.
If you are looking to respectfully extend, extensively renovate, or build a premium new home in Surrey Hills, a builder-led feasibility process is the most secure way to begin your journey.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENTKey Features:
- 25+ Years Building Excellence
- Family-Owned, Personally Invested
- Fixed Pricing, Zero Surprises
- Latest Industry Innovation Adopted
- Lifetime Aftercare Support Guaranteed
Start With The Right Planning Team For Your Project
In Surrey Hills, thoughtful collaboration is essential. Architects, designers, and builders all play important roles, especially where period homes, heritage context, and premium expectations intersect.
Because many properties here involve older structures and strict local character considerations, it is important to test ideas against site realities and likely council pathways early. That creates better decisions and helps avoid unnecessary redesign later.
Our builder-led Step 1 Feasibility Study gives you a clear starting point. For $3,500, we assess your property, prepare concept direction and 3D visuals, and provide practical cost guidance and a roadmap for what comes next.
If you are already working with an architect or designer, we can integrate seamlessly. Our job is to keep your design intent, budget, and construction pathway aligned so the project progresses with confidence.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENTBuilding in Surrey Hills
Located just 11 kilometres east of the CBD, Surrey Hills straddles the boundary between the City of Boroondara and the City of Whitehorse. It is a highly sought-after, affluent suburb characterised by large family blocks, magnificent plane trees, and local hubs like Union Road Village and Surrey Park. Families choose to invest heavily in their properties here because the lifestyle, proximity to elite schools, and heritage charm are almost impossible to replace.
Because of the area’s rich history, the most common projects we manage here involve preserving a beautiful period facade while adding a massive, light-filled modern extension to the rear. This requires navigating tight access constraints, upgrading century-old plumbing and wiring, and ensuring a seamless transition between the old structure and the new addition. For non-heritage blocks, we also see a high demand for premium knockdown-rebuilds designed to suit the upscale streetscape.
Permit applications in Surrey Hills are notoriously detailed. Heritage Overlays (HO) and Neighbourhood Character Overlays (NCO) indicate that the council is deeply invested in street presence, building height, and even the protection of significant canopy trees. Our experience navigating these exact eastern-suburb requirements allows us to give you realistic timelines and clear boundaries before you spend a single dollar on detailed design.
GET AN ONLINE ESTIMATEOur Services in Surrey Hills
Custom New Builds
When an older home lacks heritage protection or structural integrity, we design and build premium custom homes that complement Surrey Hills’ prestigious, leafy streetscapes and deliver ultimate modern luxury.
Home Extensions
We specialise in building high-end, modern rear extensions that breathe new life into period homes, carefully managing the structural transition to give your family the open-plan space you need.
Major Renovations
Our major renovation service is ideal for Surrey Hills properties that require complete internal modernisations, layout reconfigurations, and the careful restoration of historic architectural details.
Second Storey Additions
Adding a second storey allows you to double your floor space without sacrificing your valuable backyard, and we expertly navigate the strict neighbourhood character height limits to ensure a smooth approval process.
How We Work
- Initial Call – Everything begins with a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll chat about your Surrey Hills property, your overarching vision, your expected investment level, and whether we are the right fit to bring your ideas to life.
- Step 1 Site Visit – Nicholas will personally visit your home to conduct a thorough walkthrough. We look at the existing structure, access points, and heritage features, discussing what is genuinely achievable on your specific block.
- Feasibility Package Delivered – For $3,500, we complete our Step 1 Feasibility Study. This equips you with custom concept drawings, 3D visualisations, a preliminary cost estimate, and a detailed map of the permit, engineering, and energy-rating steps required.
- Review Meeting – We don’t just email you a quote; we sit down with you face-to-face to present the feasibility package, ensuring you have total clarity on the costs and the path forward before you commit to detailed planning.
- Move to Detailed Design – Once you are confident in the concept and budget, we guide the project into final working drawings and engineering, ultimately presenting you with an iron-clad, fixed-price construction contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in your Step 1 Feasibility Study?
Our $3,500 Step 1 Feasibility Study is a comprehensive planning package. It includes a site visit from Nicholas, tailored concept drawings, 3D renders, a highly realistic cost estimate, and a detailed breakdown of the engineering and council permits you will need. It is the ultimate tool for making informed financial decisions before committing to a major build.
Do you offer fixed-price contracts?
Absolutely. We strongly believe in financial transparency. Once your working drawings and engineering are finalised, we provide a fixed-price contract with zero hidden fees, ensuring you know exactly what your build will cost from day one.
How long does a typical extension take in Surrey Hills?
While the physical build usually spans several months depending on the complexity of the design, the longest phase for Surrey Hills projects is often securing council planning and heritage permits. This is why we focus so heavily on our early feasibility process, to identify the fastest and most compliant pathway forward.
What’s the cost per square metre for extensions in Surrey Hills?
We don’t use generic square-metre rates because they are rarely honest or accurate, especially when dealing with 100-year-old homes. The cost heavily relies on your chosen finishes, the condition of the existing structure, and site access. We provide you with a specific, realistic estimate during the feasibility stage so you have numbers you can actually trust.
Do I need to hire an architect before contacting you?
No, and we actually recommend that you don’t. By engaging our builder-led feasibility process first, we ensure your design ideas align with real-world construction costs and council regulations, saving you from paying for beautiful architectural plans that you cannot afford to build.
What’s your service area from Kilsyth?
Our operations comfortably cover Melbourne’s eastern suburbs within roughly a 45-minute drive of our Kilsyth headquarters. Surrey Hills is a core part of our service area and a straightforward trip for our team and trusted local trades.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes, we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We pair our decades of building expertise with dedicated aftercare support, ensuring your new home performs flawlessly long after we hand over the keys.
How long do Boroondara or Whitehorse permits take?
Permit timelines in Surrey Hills can vary greatly. If your property is in a Heritage Overlay or requires planning permission for a second storey, the council process will take significantly longer than a standard building permit. We evaluate your specific address early so we can set realistic expectations regarding council timelines.
Can I extend a heritage-listed or period home in Surrey Hills?
Yes, and it is one of the most common projects we undertake. However, updating period homes requires a delicate balance of preserving the street-facing heritage facade while building a highly modern addition at the rear. We assess the structural capacity of the old building first to ensure the transition is safe, compliant, and visually stunning.
What are the common challenges of extending homes in Surrey Hills?
The most frequent challenges involve protecting significant trees on the property, updating ancient plumbing and electrical systems hidden in the walls, and adhering to strict neighbourhood character rules regarding roof pitches and setbacks. None of this is a roadblock for our experienced team, but it must be properly planned for in Step 1.