If you’re considering a first-floor addition to your 100-year-old cottage, terrace, or semi-detached home in Sydney, you can’t go rushing in. Read below to know why choosing the wrong Sydney builder could ruin your renovation dreams
This isn’t a knockdown rebuild where you can just drive a loader through and start over. These types of homes are special, and they require a specialist’s touch.
Without it, you’re looking at potential damaged property, delays, a blown budget — and most likely arguments with the neighbours.
Take What Happened to Jane and Adam, For Example
Jane and Adam were excited about adding a first-floor addition to their 100-year-old semi in Sydney’s inner west. It was their shot at creating the space they’d always dreamed of, without having to move out of the area they loved. They hired a builder who promised a quick turnaround and a budget-friendly price.
But it wasn’t long before the cracks (literal and figurative) began to show.
The first major issue was the roof
Instead of carefully dismantling it, the builder tore into it like it was a large-scale demolition job. Only then did they realise it wasn’t a simple structure; it was connected to the neighbour’s house, with shared structural elements that needed a delicate touch. Their heavy-handed approach had damaged original timber beams that had stood for over a century — beams that couldn’t simply be replaced. Worse, they’d caused cracks in the neighbour’s wall, defacing the historic brickwork. Fixing the mess wasn’t just expensive; it meant weeks of delays and specialist trades brought in to undo the damage. The fuming neighbours only added to the stress.
And the setbacks didn’t stop there
Jane and Adam’s street was notoriously tight (barely enough room for a ute, let alone the trucks and equipment needed for the job). The builder hadn’t planned for it, so deliveries kept getting blocked or delayed, and materials were piled up wherever there was space. Now it wasn’t just their immediate neighbours complaining; it was the whole street.
Then there was the design itself
When the addition finally took shape, it was obvious the new build didn’t match the charm of the original home. The bricks were the wrong colour, the timber finishes didn’t align, and the modern windows clashed with the period facade. What should have been a seamless extension ended up looking slapped together, making their once beautiful home feel disjointed.
And in the end…
What was supposed to be an eight-month breeze stretched into a fifteen-month slog, leaving the couple emotionally exhausted and financially tapped out. Instead of adding value to their home, they’d spent far more than they ever imagined, fixing problems they never should’ve had to deal with in the first place.
That’s Why It’s So Important to Get the Right Sydney Builder for the Job
Specialist builders who focus on first-floor additions for older Sydney homes know exactly what’s needed to get the job done right — the first time.
Here’s what sets them apart:
They don’t blow the timeline or budget. These kinds of projects aren’t quick or easy, but inexperienced builders often think they are — and that’s when things go wrong. They under-quote, overpromise, and leave you stuck halfway through with unexpected expenses and delays. A specialist knows better. For example, they’ve seen how timber in older homes shifts over time and know it’s never perfectly square. That’s why they’ll bring in skilled carpenters to carefully dismantle and rebuild sections instead of rushing in and causing bigger problems. They get it right from the start so you don’t end up paying for mistakes later.
They match the old with the new. One of the hardest parts of an extension or first-floor addition is making it look like it belongs. You don’t want the new addition to stick out like it’s been slapped on as an afterthought. A specialist builder knows how to match your home’s materials, like brickwork and timber, so it all feels seamless. Even when adding modern features like better insulation or energy-efficient windows, they’ll make sure it’s done in a way that works with the original style of the house.
They know Sydney inside and out. If you’re building in the inner west or eastern suburbs, you know how tight it can get. There’s barely room to get a delivery truck in, let alone the materials for a big job. A specialist builder gets this. They’ll sort smaller deliveries in stages or organise parking permits ahead of time to avoid hold-ups. And when it comes to council requirements or heritage overlays, they already know the rules and how to work within them, saving you time and headaches.
They know how to work around neighbours. In older suburbs, it’s not just your house you have to think about; it’s your neighbours as well. You’re dealing with shared walls, roofs, and even drainage systems, so one wrong move could cause damage to someone else’s property. A good builder knows how to avoid this. For example, they’ll stabilise a shared wall before cutting into the roof, making sure there’s no cracking, no leaks, and no angry calls from next door (or legal disputes).
The Bottom Line: Don’t Leave it to Chance
They just don’t build houses like yours anymore, and there’s no replacing that history. Rushing an extension risks losing everything that makes it special. That’s why you need a builder who gets the quirks of these homes and cares about preserving their charm as much as you do.
With that said, there’s more to extending a period home in Sydney than hiring a specialist team who’ll give your property the care it deserves.
That’s why we’ve put together this free guide for you to download:
7 Things You Must Know Before Designing a New Home
It’s packed with insights to help you sidestep the common construction pitfalls that catch far too many homeowners off guard.
*Disclaimer: Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. These stories are based on real events, and any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental.
Learn more about Jay and Davids Story. HDMB are proud APB and HIA members.
