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Renovating Canberra’s mid-century brick homes

Large parts of Belconnen, Woden, Weston Creek and the older Tuggeranong suburbs were built as single-storey brick homes on generous blocks. They’re solid, but they’re cold. Single-glazed windows, little or no wall insulation and small closed-off rooms are what a lot of renovations here set out to fix, and an extension or second storey is a common way to get more space without leaving a suburb you like.

Age also brings asbestos. Fibro eaves, wet-area wall sheeting, vinyl floor tiles and old meter panels in homes of that era can all contain it, so a good builder will arrange an asbestos survey before any wall comes out. Closer to the city, in the inner north and south, plenty of owners skip the renovation and knock down to rebuild.

Approvals, bushfire zones and building for the cold

Extensions, new homes and structural renovations in the ACT generally need building approval from a licensed building certifier, and some projects also need development approval, depending on the block and the Territory Plan. Your builder or designer should tell you early which applies, because approvals take time and cost money.

Blocks on the edge of the city, from Weston Creek and the Molonglo Valley to the hills around Tuggeranong, can sit in a bushfire prone area. Building there has to meet a bushfire attack level, which affects windows, decking, cladding and gutters, and adds to the cost. And because Canberra’s winters are long and frosty, insulation, glazing and draught sealing are worth getting right while the walls are open. It’s far cheaper than retrofitting later.

The ACT builder licence classes

Access Canberra issues ACT builder licences on behalf of the Construction Occupations Registrar, and the class printed on the licence matters. Class A is unlimited, class B covers buildings up to three storeys, class C covers houses and other low-rise homes up to two storeys, and class D is limited to non-structural work. Search the List of licensed Builders to confirm the class and that the licence is current.

On home building work worth $12,000 or more that needs approval, the builder also needs residential building work insurance or a Master Builders Fidelity Fund certificate. Ask for it before you pay a deposit. Our ACT licence check guide explains how to read the register.

Canberra building costs

Builders mostly quote by the project, and Canberra prices sit toward the top of the national range, close to Sydney. For a new home, budget somewhere from $1,800 to $4,000 for every square metre built. Extending at ground level typically costs $2,500–$4,500 per m², while going up a storey runs higher, about $3,500–$6,000 per m², because of the extra structure, scaffolding and roof work. Mid-range bathroom renos commonly land between $15,000 and $35,000. For small jobs and variations, expect an hourly rate of $85–$150. See our builder price guide for more projects.

Finding the right builder through us

Tell us what you’re planning and where, whether that’s a second storey in Kambah or a rebuild in O’Connor, and we’ll match you with one licensed Canberra builder whose class suits the job and whose insurance and reviews we’ve checked. One builder to sit down with, and it’s free.

Building outside the ACT? See builders around Australia. For smaller jobs, look through Canberra tradies, or start a free quote.