How to Design a Home Renovation and Extension, with Ben

Mar 3, 2025

In a candid conversation, a couple shares their journey of renovating a Melbourne Californian Bungalow. They discuss the budget constraints that forced them to reconsider their initial design. This leads to an exploration of emotional and practical challenges during the renovation process. Listeners gain insights on the importance of thoughtful planning and collaboration with design professionals. They also touch on how to balance personal desires with functional needs to create a harmonious living space, even when faced with obstacles.

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ANECDOTE

Californian Bungalow Renovation

Ben and Mike bought a 1920s Californian bungalow in Melbourne.
The house was largely unrenovated, with a small extension from the 1970s.

ADVICE

Seeking Expert Help

Acknowledge the uncertainties of large renovation projects.
Seek outside help and expertise for better outcomes.

INSIGHT

Prioritizing Feelings and Functionality

Prioritize how you want to feel and the functionality of your home over resale value.
Consider how spaces will be used individually and together to create long-term harmony.

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Hello! This is Episode 352, and in it, I’m talking with HOME Method member, Ben. He and his partner, Mike, are designing the renovation and extension of their Melbourne Californian Bungalow.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Ben and Mike came up with their renovation and extension design, and some of the challenges they had along the way. They followed a more traditional route of tendering the design, only to discover that the cost to deliver exceeded their budget, which meant they had two choices.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352]

One: revisit and amend the existing design to see if they can pull it back financially, without compromising the functionality and livability of the home overall.

Or two: take some steps back - or as we call it in HOME Method, get up to helicopter view, and assess whether there is a different design option altogether that can satisfy the brief, and meet the budget expectations more closely.

Many reach this point in their project, and it is always a challenging decision to make. If you’ve already sunk money and time into a design outcome that isn’t exactly what you asked for or thought you’d have, should you just keep going?

Or do you risk halting the project, and also contending with potential construction cost increases in the interim whilst you change the design, so you can scale back what you’re doing, and create a design outcome that’s more efficient, more in alignment with your brief, and also benefits from all the learnings you’ve had in the experience so far?

Well: Spoiler Alert! You’ll hear in this episode that Ben and Mike chose to renew their design. And you’ll also hear how they started first with a feasibility study of two options, and then were able to proceed much more confidently on that basis. And interestingly, VERY speedily as well … so much so, that in the end, they’ve not really ‘lost’ much time at all.

And as a result of their pivot, they’ve ended up with a design that:

aligns far more significantly with their ideal lifestyle
is able to be delivered within their means
Isn’t as disruptive to the structure and layout of the existing home
and they’ve developed a toolset, skillset and mindset that’s elevated their agency in their project as well.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find all of that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/352.

Now, let’s dive in!

SHOW NOTES:

If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.

Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/352

Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

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