Building Upwards with Your Home Extension

August 2, 2022

What exactly is a second-story addition? Instead of building and expanding the footprint of a home, you build up in either a partial or full addition. Between the two, a full second-story means adding an entire new upper floor to your home. In this scenario, the roof is completely removed and transformed from a one-story…

The Best Ways to Insulate a Period House

February 10, 2022

Whether it be a Victorian, Federation, Edwardian, or a Queen Anne home, older homes don’t often provide great thermal performance. With old and draughty chimneys, original double hung windows, high ceilings and many gaps around windows and doors, improving the thermal performance of an old home can be challenging. However, with the addition of modern…

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 4

July 23, 2021

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 4 Do you look at your life differently since the beginning of the pandemic? How about the way you think about your home? The truth is, the way we live life has changed due to the events of the last two years. This is reflected in the way…

Do Fireplaces Add Value to Your Home?

July 2, 2021

Nothing beat the warmth and comfort offered by genuine fireplace. Not only does a fireplace provide an ideal centrepiece to a living room, it adds a sophisticated touch of functional luxury to a space. If you are planning a home renovation or extension in Melbourne, you might be wondering if it’s worthwhile to restore old…

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 3 

June 30, 2021

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 3 The newest design trends in 2021 are all about maximizing efficiency in every way possible. From how your home uses energy to the way that you operate within it, improving these systems and their functionality has become a top priority for many people doing home renovations in…

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 2

June 18, 2021

Three Building Trends in 2021 – Part 2 With so many people spending more time in their homes during 2020 and 2021, it’s provided a greater opportunity to contemplate home improvements and a desire to reinvigorate their homes. A new look for a familiar setting is sometimes all it takes.  This may mean looking into…

Three Building Trends in 2021– Part 1

May 28, 2021

Three Building Trends in 2021– Part 1 The most current building and interior design trends always reflect the influence of the outside world. Global events, technological advancements and popular culture all play a part in shaping the newest home renovations and build designs. 2021 is no different in that sense. The way people have adapted…

What Happens if You Get Caught Without a Building Permit?

March 31, 2021

In Australia, most residential renovation and building projects require building permits or planning permits, and in many cases both. If you are looking to renovate your Melbourne house, you might be feeling excited yet overwhelmed by the paperwork required to ensure you adhere to all the necessary rules and regulations.  There are serious consequences for…

Concrete Slab Vs Traditional Stumps – Which is Better?

January 20, 2021

House foundations aren’t generally considered one of the most exciting aspects of the home renovation or building process, however they are vital to the overall structural integrity of your home. Until the 1970’s, Melbourne homes were traditionally built on timber or concrete stumps with timber bearers. As construction processes and techniques have advanced in recent…

Sustainable upgrades that can be made to your home

December 7, 2020

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have had to spend more time at home than ever before which also means that home appliances are being used more than ever before as well. As a result of this many if not all households have experienced a higher electricity bill, which may have made you wonder,…

The Importance of Domestic Building Insurance

November 27, 2020

In Victoria, domestic building insurance (also known as Builders Warranty Insurance) is managed by a state-directed home insurance fund called the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). Generally mandatory when building a new home, it may also be required for renovations and extensions too, depending on the value of the required works. Duncan Thompson Extensions is…

More multigenerational living after a Pandemic

November 25, 2020

The unexpected rise of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way of living for all members of society. In such unprecedented times, many people have been forced into multigenerational living, which simply means multiple generations living together in the same house. With aged care living arrangements now being vulnerable to COVID outbreaks, the elderly have…