
Second-storey additions in Melbourne
A second-storey addition builds another level above an existing home to add bedrooms, bathrooms or a retreat without using more garden space. Lambert York undertakes these additions for Melbourne homeowners across Bayside, the Inner East, Mornington Peninsula and North West Melbourne. Structural assessment comes first; Pat handles pricing and David oversees the build.
You love the street. You've outgrown the house.
A second storey adds space without giving up the yard or the postcode. We handle the engineering, the new stair and the roof — and design the addition so it reads as one house, not two.
Compare ways to change your home
| Option | What changes | What needs review | Existing guide timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retain and renovate | Keep suitable existing structure and update the layout, services or finishes | Existing structure, desired scope and heritage constraints | 3–9 months on site, depending on scope. TODO: Confirm with Pat. |
| Rear extension | Add ground-floor kitchen, living or dining space towards the garden | Garden space, access and connection to the existing house | 6–9 months overall; 5–7 months building. TODO: Confirm with Pat. |
| Second-storey addition | Add upstairs rooms without using more garden space | Footings, frame, stairs and roof work | 8–12 months overall; 7–10 months building. TODO: Confirm with Pat. |
| Knockdown rebuild | Replace the existing house on the same block | Demolition, new drawings, site constraints and approvals | 12–16 months overall; 10–14 months building. TODO: Confirm with Pat. |
Everything a second storey needs.
Structural check
Footings, frame and roof assessed by our engineer.
Design & permits
Planning, overlooking and building approvals.
Build
New floor, stair, roof and services tied in.
Defect-free handover
Walk-through, manuals and warranty certificate.
Five stages. Two owners.
The roof comes off for weeks, not months — we plan the weather window around your family.
Structural check
Can the house carry a new level?
Design & price
Plans, selections and one fixed price.
Permits
Planning and building approvals secured.
Build
Weekly updates from your supervisor.
Keys & warranty
Every defect closed before handover.
Finished the way it was drawn.
Asked before contract.
How much does a second-storey addition cost in Melbourne?+
The existing site guide lists $700K–$1.4M for the scope described on the renovations page. TODO: Confirm this range, scope and exclusions with Pat before treating it as current pricing. Your fixed price is based on the agreed drawings and selections.
How long does a second-storey addition take?+
The existing service guide lists 8–12 months overall; 7–10 months building. TODO: Confirm the current timeframe and the boundary between design, approvals and construction with Pat. Your project programme is agreed before contract, with David providing build updates.
Do I need permits for this work in Melbourne?+
Permit requirements depend on the property, proposed work and any overlays. Planning and building permits are different approvals, so the requirements must be checked for your scope before work starts.
Can my existing house support a second storey?+
The footings and frame need an engineering assessment before a second storey can be designed. Strengthening may be necessary, and roof removal can require you to move out for part of the build.
What does the $20M warranty facility mean for my project?+
The $20M figure is Lambert York's builder warranty insurance facility, not a $20M payout for your home. Your project's insurance has its own certificate, terms and limits; ask Pat to explain the documents that apply to your contract.
Who will quote my project and run the build?+
Pat Pugliese handles quotes, pricing, contracts and client contact. David Filippelli runs the site, trades, programme and build quality, and both founders stand behind the work.
Where in Melbourne does Lambert York build?+
Lambert York serves Bayside, the Inner East, Mornington Peninsula and North West Melbourne. Send Pat your address and proposed scope to discuss your site's suitability and the next step.
Where we build
We work across Bayside, including Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham; Inner East Melbourne, including Malvern, Toorak, Hawthorn; Mornington Peninsula, including Mornington, Mount Eliza, Safety Beach; and Melbourne North West, including Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Ascot Vale. Talk to Pat about your property, plans and scope.
Related services
Is it time to go up?
Send the address. Pat will discuss your scope and pricing, with David overseeing delivery on site.

