Alterations and additions · Sydney
Alterations and additions architects for Sydney homes
Renovate, extend or add a first floor without losing control of the approval, the budget or the build. We design the change, choose the right approval pathway and coordinate the team that delivers it.
- Registered Architect, NSW No. 11683
- CDC and DA approvals across Sydney
- Heritage and conservation area experience
- Stage-by-stage fees, quoted to your scope
Every project is quoted to its scope. Tell us about your home and we will come back with a clear fee proposal.
Renovate, extend or rebuild?
Start with the right question, not the first drawing
Most homeowners come to us with a wish list. The better starting point is what your house and your block can realistically take, and what each option will cost in time and approvals.
- Renovate when the structure is sound and the layout can be reworked within the existing footprint.
- Extend when you need more space and the site has room within the planning controls for setbacks, height and landscaped area.
- Add a first floor when the block is tight and the existing walls and footings can carry the load, or can be strengthened at a reasonable cost.
- Rebuild when the cost of fixing the existing house approaches the cost of starting again.
Renovate or rebuild? Read our guide · Check what you can build on your land
What we design
Renovations of every size, from one room to the whole house
LVA leads the design and coordinates a trusted network of consultants and builders, so you deal with one team from first sketch to construction.
| Service | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Rear and side extensions | New living, kitchen and outdoor connections, designed to the setbacks and landscaped area your site allows |
| First floor additions | Extra bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs, with early structural input on existing walls and footings |
| Kitchen and living reconfiguration | Opening up or reworking the existing floor plan for light, flow and everyday use |
| Heritage and conservation area alterations | Additions that respect the existing house and satisfy Council's heritage controls |
| Granny flats and secondary dwellings | A second dwelling on your block, for family or rental income |
| Accessible home modifications | Changes that let people age in place or live with a disability, with access advice built in. See our SDA and accessibility work |
| Interior design | Finishes, joinery and lighting coordinated with the architecture |
Every project is different. Contact us to discuss scope and a quotation.
CDC or DA
The approval pathway shapes the design, the cost and the timeline
A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can be the faster route for alterations and additions, but only when the site and the design meet every applicable standard. A Development Application (DA) gives more design flexibility and is required when a CDC is not available.
- Heritage. Heritage items, and many properties in heritage conservation areas, generally need a DA.
- Site constraints. Bushfire, flooding, easements and lot size can rule out a CDC or add requirements.
- Setbacks, height and floor area. A design that goes beyond the complying development standards needs a DA, or needs to be adjusted to fit.
- Your priorities. Sometimes a DA is worth it to get the layout you actually want.
We check the controls for your address before design starts, so the drawings are prepared for the right pathway from day one.
Budget
A design you can actually afford to build
Renovations go over budget when the design runs ahead of the money. We keep the two together from the start.
Budget in the brief
We agree your construction budget before design starts and design to it.
Early builder and consultant input
Structural and builder feedback at concept stage, before costly decisions are locked in.
Options, not surprises
Where the brief and the budget pull apart, we show you the trade-offs early.
Stage-by-stage fees
You commit one stage at a time, with a clear scope and fee for each.
Selected renovation projects
Renovations and extensions across Sydney
Riverview Luxury House, North Sydney
Riverside home with pool
View project → CDC approved and builtHouse renovation, Dulwich Hill
Inner West house renovation
View project → CDC approved and builtInside Out house extension, Hornsby
House extension and redesign
View project → CDC approved and builtHouse renovation, Lindfield
Renovation of a house on a rugged site
View project → CDC approved and builtHouse renovation, Kingsgrove
Renovation and interiors for an 837 m² home
View project → DA approvedHeritage building, Stanmore
One of our most challenging heritage projects in the Inner West
View project → CDC applicationHouse renovation, Carss Bush Park
Full CDC design and application
View project → CompletedKitchen transformation, Wahroonga
North West Sydney kitchen transformation
View project →Victorian house renovation, Stanmore
Renovation of a Victorian-era home
View project →29 Grove Street, Dulwich Hill
Inner West renovation with walkthrough animation
View project →Our process
From first conversation to construction
- First conversation. You tell us about your home, your wish list and your budget. We tell you honestly what is realistic.
- Site review and fee proposal. We check the planning controls and approval pathway for your address, then send a written proposal with a clear scope.
- Concept design. Options tested against your budget and the planning controls, with early structural and builder input.
- Approval. CDC or DA documentation, lodgement and responses to the certifier or Council.
- Construction documentation. Coordinated drawings and specifications for the Construction Certificate and for builders to price accurately.
- Construction. Support through tender and construction, so what gets built matches what was approved.
FAQs
Common questions about renovating
Do I need an architect for an extension?
In NSW you are not legally required to use an architect for a house extension. A registered architect helps you get more from the site, avoid redesigns at approval stage and give builders documents they can price accurately.
Can a first floor addition be approved under a CDC?
Often, yes, if the site and design meet every complying development standard and the property is not affected by heritage or other constraints. Our free CDC or DA tool gives a first indication for your address.
How long does approval take?
It depends on the pathway and the Council. A CDC is usually faster than a DA. We give you a realistic timeline once we have reviewed your site.
My house is in a heritage conservation area. Can I still extend?
Usually, yes. Heritage controls shape what can be seen from the street and how the addition relates to the original house. These projects generally need a DA, and good design makes the difference at assessment.
Can you work with my builder?
Yes. We can document the project for your builder, or introduce builders from our network for you to compare.
How much does a renovation design cost?
Every project is quoted to its scope. Contact us with your address and brief and we will prepare a fee proposal.
Further reading
Read more before you renovate
- Renovate or Rebuild? Making the Right Choice for Your Home's Future
- How to Prepare for a Successful Development Application in Sydney
- CDC vs DA in NSW: Which Approval Does Your Project Need?
- How an Architect Can Help Maximise Your Property Value
- Design for Waterproofing
Ready to talk about your renovation?
Tell us your address and what you have in mind. Kevin will come back to you within two business days with initial thoughts and a fee proposal.