More Space, Same
Neighbourhood—
Done Right the First Time
Ground floor, second storey, alfresco, or granny flat — every Sync extension is personally managed by Fady, your licensed ACT builder. We handle the design, approvals, trades, and delivery from start to finish.
DA, BA & certifications managed
Lic. No. 20181299
Why Extensions Beat Moving
Love Your Location.
Outgrow Your Space.
Moving house in Canberra means stamp duty, agent fees, legal costs, and the disruption of leaving a suburb you know — often just to get the extra bedroom or living space your family needs.
A well-planned home extension gives you the space you need without sacrificing the neighbourhood, the school, and the lifestyle you've already built. And in most cases, the investment adds more value to your property than it costs.
agent commissions
school & community
more value than cost
from start to finish
Extension Types We Build
Every Kind of Extension —
One Builder, Start to Finish
Whether you need a single bedroom, a whole new storey, or a self-contained living space — Fady manages the full project from design and approvals through to handover.
Ground Floor Extension
Expand your living area, add a bedroom, create an open-plan kitchen and family room, or build a dedicated home office — extending your home's footprint on its existing slab or with new foundations.
Second Storey Addition
Add a master suite, multiple bedrooms, a second living area, or a home office above your existing home — without sacrificing backyard space. One of the highest-ROI projects in Canberra's property market.
Alfresco & Outdoor Living
A covered outdoor entertaining area that flows from your living room and can be used year-round in the Canberra climate — with integrated lighting, outdoor kitchen options, and weather-rated materials.
Garage & Workshop Extension
New double garage, workshop, or storage structure — built to complement your home's design and fully permitted. We handle slab, framing, cladding, roller doors, and all electrical.
Granny Flat & Secondary Dwelling
A self-contained dwelling on your existing block — for ageing parents, adult children, rental income, or guest accommodation. ACT secondary dwelling approvals managed by Sync from application to handover.
Garage Conversion
Transform an existing garage into a liveable space — home office, studio, bedroom, teenager's retreat, or gym. We handle insulation, lining, electrical, plumbing (if required), and any council approvals needed.
We Handle Every
Part of the Approvals Process
ACT planning and building approval requirements are among the most complex in Australia. Most homeowners find them overwhelming — and most builders leave it to you to figure out.
At Sync, approvals are our problem, not yours. We assess what's needed, prepare the documentation, liaise with the ACT Planning Authority and certifiers, and keep you informed throughout — without you having to decipher planning codes or wait on hold.
What we manage for you:
How the ACT Approval Process Works
Feasibility assessment
Sync reviews your block, setbacks, easements, and ACT planning overlays to confirm what's permissible before any design work begins. No surprises later.
Handled by Sync — no cost to youDevelopment Application (if required)
For extensions that don't meet exempt development criteria, we prepare and lodge a DA with the ACT Planning Authority. We manage all responses and conditions.
Typically 4–8 weeks for DA approvalBuilding Approval via private certifier
We engage a private building certifier to assess and approve the structural drawings. Faster than council assessment and managed entirely by Sync.
Typically 2–4 weeksConstruction inspections
The certifier conducts mandatory inspections at key build stages — footing, frame, and final. Sync schedules all inspections and ensures nothing holds up the build.
Scheduled around build progressOccupation Certificate at handover
On completion, the certifier issues an Occupation Certificate — confirming the extension is legally compliant and approved for occupation. Provided to you at handover.
Required — and managed by SyncACT Planning Rules — Simplified
Do I Need Approval
for My Extension?
ACT planning rules allow some small works without formal approval — but the rules around setbacks, block coverage, and height are strict, and getting it wrong can be very costly.
Sync assesses your specific block and project in the feasibility stage and advises exactly what's needed — before you commit to anything. The table on the right is a general guide only.
Key ACT planning considerations for extensions:
| Extension Type | DA Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rear ground floor extension (small) | Sometimes | Depends on setbacks, block coverage, and zone. Sync assesses your specific block. |
| Rear ground floor extension (large) | Usually | Larger additions typically exceed exempt development thresholds. DA required. |
| Second storey addition | Almost always | Height changes, overlooking, and shadow impact require DA in most ACT zones. |
| Attached alfresco / pergola | Sometimes | Unroofed or lightweight pergolas may be exempt. Roofed structures often require BA. |
| Detached garage / workshop | Sometimes | Depends on size, setback, and block coverage. Building Approval generally required. |
| Granny flat / secondary dwelling | Yes | Secondary dwellings require both DA and BA. Must meet ACT secondary dwelling criteria. |
| Garage conversion to living space | Usually | Change of use requires building approval. Sync assesses and lodges the application. |
⚠️ This is a general guide only. ACT planning rules are complex and site-specific. Sync Building Projects conducts a free feasibility assessment for every project — book a consultation to get an accurate assessment for your block.
Investment Guide
What Does a Home Extension
Cost in Canberra?
Extension costs depend heavily on scope, structural complexity, and finishes. Here's an honest range for each extension type in the Canberra ACT market — confirmed with your free consultation.
Extension Cost Guide — Canberra ACT 2025
Indicative ranges. Actual costs vary by scope, site conditions, materials, and approval requirements.
| Extension Type | Price Range (AUD) | Typical Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Ground Floor — Small (up to 30m²) | $80,000 – $130,000 | 1–2 rooms, slab, frame, cladding, roofing, electrical, plumbing, internal finishes |
| Ground Floor — Medium (30–60m²) | $130,000 – $220,000 | Open-plan living, bedroom, or combined spaces — full fit-out to match existing home |
| Ground Floor — Large (60m²+) | $220,000 – $400,000+ | Major living, kitchen, and bedroom additions — complex roof integration, premium finishes |
| Second Storey Addition | $180,000 – $400,000+ | Full upper floor — bedrooms, ensuite, living, structural, roofing, staircase, all finishes |
| Alfresco & Outdoor Living | $40,000 – $120,000 | Roof structure, paving/decking, outdoor kitchen, lighting, integration with internal living |
| Detached Garage / Workshop | $35,000 – $90,000 | Slab, frame, cladding, roller door, electrical — single or double, attached or detached |
| Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling | $120,000 – $280,000 | Self-contained dwelling — kitchen, bathroom, living, bedroom, separate utilities |
| Garage Conversion | $30,000 – $80,000 | Insulation, lining, flooring, electrical, heating/cooling, plumbing if required |
The best starting point is a free conversation with Fady
He'll assess your block, confirm what's achievable, and give you an honest picture of costs and timeline before you commit to anything.
How Your Extension Gets Built
6 Stages from First Call
to Moving Into Your New Space
Every Sync extension follows a structured, transparent process — approvals, design, and construction all managed by the builder.
Free Consultation
On-site assessment. Fady reviews your block, listens to your goals, and gives you honest advice on feasibility and costs.
30–60 minDesign & Quote
Concept design prepared. Detailed itemised quote produced. Everything agreed in writing before approvals begin.
2–4 weeksDA Lodgment
Development Application prepared and lodged by Sync. We manage all communication with the ACT Planning Authority.
4–8 weeks if requiredBuilding Approval
Structural drawings submitted to private certifier. Building Approval issued. Trade scheduling commences.
2–4 weeksConstruction
Fady on site every day. All trades coordinated and checked. Regular updates to you throughout the build.
6–16 weeksHandover & OC
Final inspection, Occupation Certificate issued, full documentation and warranty provided. Welcome to your new space.
Day you move inPlanning ahead makes everything smoother
Extensions involve approval timelines outside Sync's control. Starting the process 6–9 months before your ideal build date gives the most flexibility and the best outcome.
The Financial Case
Extend vs Move —
The Real Cost Comparison
Before committing to either path, it's worth understanding the full financial picture. For most Canberra families, extending makes stronger economic sense than moving.
Extending Your Current Home
Typical mid-range ground floor extension — Canberra 2025Moving to a Larger Property
Typical upsizing scenario — Canberra 2025In most cases, the extension costs less than the transaction fees of moving
And you end up with a home designed exactly for your family — in the suburb you already love. Book a free consultation and Fady will walk you through the numbers for your specific situation.
Completed Extension Projects
Before & After —
Real Canberra Homes
What Our Clients Say
Real Projects, Real People
Hear from Canberra homeowners who've been through the process with Sync Building Projects.
"We dealt directly with Fady from the very first phone call to the day he handed us the keys. No sales team, no runaround — just honest communication and genuinely outstanding quality. Our renovation came in on budget and we couldn't be happier."
"I'd heard so many stories about builders disappearing after you sign. Fady was on site every single day. He knew what was happening, he answered his phone, and he fixed the one small issue we had immediately. The whole experience was stress-free."
"Sync handled our extension from design through to handover. What stood out was how proactively they managed every trade and kept us informed. The finished result exceeded what we imagined, and it genuinely feels like it was always part of the house."
Where We Build
All ACT Suburbs
Including Queanbeyan region
Extension FAQs
Questions Before
You Reach Out?
The questions Canberra homeowners ask most before starting an extension project. Prefer to speak directly? Call Fady on 0452 394 567 — straight to the builder.
How long does a home extension take?
Construction typically takes 6–16 weeks depending on the extension type and scope. A small ground floor addition may take 6–8 weeks to build; a full second storey can take 12–18 weeks. Approval timelines (DA: 4–8 weeks, Building Approval: 2–4 weeks) add to the overall project timeline before construction commences. We factor all of this into the project schedule from day one.
Can I live in my home while the extension is being built?
In most cases yes — particularly for ground floor rear extensions and alfresco additions. For second storey work, it depends on the extent of structural work required to the existing roof. Fady discusses your specific living arrangements during the consultation and plans the build sequence to maintain access to your home wherever possible.
Do all extensions need a Development Application?
Not all. Some smaller additions can be approved under exempt development or via a Building Approval without a full DA — but this depends on your specific block, zone, setbacks, and current coverage. Second storey additions, large ground floor extensions, and secondary dwellings almost always require a DA. Sync assesses your project upfront and tells you exactly what's needed.
How do you make sure the extension matches the existing home?
Matching the existing home's finishes, roofline, cladding, and internal flow is a key part of good extension design. Fady pays close attention to material matching — roof tiles, brickwork, weatherboard, or render — and we use the same suppliers where possible. The goal is always an extension that looks and feels like it was always part of the original house.
Can my block handle a second storey?
Most ACT homes built from the 1960s onwards have slab foundations that can support a second storey — but this is confirmed with a structural engineering assessment as part of the design process. We engage a structural engineer to review the existing slab and footings before finalising the second storey design. If additional strengthening is needed, we design for it and include it in the quote.
Will a home extension add value to my property?
Almost always — and in Canberra, typically significantly. A well-designed extension that adds a bedroom, living space, or second storey consistently returns more than its cost in property value, particularly in inner suburbs with strong buyer demand. Real estate agents in Canberra consistently advise that extensions — especially second storeys and large open-plan additions — are among the highest-ROI improvements an owner can make.
Free Extension Consultation
Let's Plan Your
Home Extension Together
Tell us about your block and what you're hoping to achieve. Fady will call you within 24 hours to arrange a free, no-obligation on-site or phone consultation — and give you an honest picture of feasibility, approvals, and costs.