Planning a renovation or extension in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs? Whether in Box Hill, Blackburn, Glen Waverley or Surrey Hills, a crucial early step is having a building designer visit your property. Andrew Slattery ensures your home, block and goals are fully understood, helping your project succeed and creating a space that serves your family for decades.
1. Every block is different, especially in the east
Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are known for their established homes, leafy streets, sloped sites and strict local planning overlays. From tree protection zones to setback requirements, no two properties are the same and no responsible designer should quote or draw up plans without seeing the site first.
A site visit allows the designer to understand:
- Site orientation and natural light
- Access and slope conditions
- Neighbouring homes and overlooking issues
- Mature vegetation and drainage
- The flow and structure of your existing home
These are things you simply can’t assess over email or on a phone call.
2. Face-to-face is where great design begins
A home isn’t just bricks and mortar, it’s how you live inside it. That’s why meeting in person matters. It helps your designer understand your family, your lifestyle and what’s truly important in your renovation.
Are you upsizing for a growing family? Downsizing for better flow? Adding light, space or functionality? These conversations are much more valuable when they happen on site, where your goals and your home can be discussed together.
3. The cost of getting it wrong is too high
Renovations and extensions are one of the biggest investments a family can make. If the design is rushed or based on assumptions, you risk:
- Budget blowouts from unexpected site conditions
- Delays due to planning permit issues or redesigns
- Compromises in layout, style or structural feasibility
- Long-term regrets from poor functionality or missed opportunities
Getting the design right from day one, with a site-informed approach, gives your project the best chance of success, both now and into the future.
4. Designers who don’t visit? That’s a red flag
If a building designer is unwilling to visit your property before quoting, it could signal a lack of care, experience or attention to detail. You deserve a professional who treats your home as if it were their own, not someone who’s just trying to send out a fast quote and move on to the next job.
5. Your home’s future starts with today’s design
In Melbourne’s east, homes are often passed down or lived in for generations. That’s why your renovation or extension should do more than just look good in the short term, it should:
- Honour the character of the existing home
- Add genuine value through improved functionality
- Maximise space and energy efficiency
- Provide a timeless sense of style that endures for decades
Design done right isn’t just about now, it’s about the legacy you leave in your home for the next ten, 20 or 50 years.
This article was written by Andrew Slattery, founder of Anabode Design and Drafting. Anabode Design provides residential design and drafting services across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, specialising in custom homes, extensions and renovations tailored to your family’s needs and lifestyle.
