Adding a second storey sounds like a great way to get more living space without losing your backyard, but living through a build can be hard if you’re not ready. When kids need quiet time, adults need work space, and everyone needs a working bathroom, things can get tricky fast.
With the right plan in place, it’s possible to keep daily life running while adding some much-needed space overhead. Summer is a good time to get serious about your plans, especially if you’ve started looking for house extension builders in Geelong. Here's what to think about before anything gets pulled apart.
Before choosing where the walls go, it helps to really think through what your family needs. That way, the new space works with your life instead of just adding extra square metres. Ask yourself what the current house is missing. Is it more bedrooms? Another bathroom? A quiet spot to get away from the TV noise?
Clear planning up front stops the second storey from becoming a catch-all storage-and-spare-room zone. It's better to go in with a clear purpose and shape the plan around that goal. Something that adds value, makes daily life easier, or helps with how you grow into the home over the next few years will be the smarter long-term move.
Some families use upstairs for
• A parents’ retreat with an ensuite, walk-in robe, or balcony
• Kids' bedrooms and a study nook to keep school stuff out of the living areas
• A second living room, especially good for teens or when guests stay over
Think through whether you want everything new upstairs, or if it makes more sense to move existing rooms up and free up space on the ground floor. Working this out early can shape the whole layout and make sure what gets built is actually useful, not just bigger.
Living at home during a second storey addition isn’t always simple, but it can be done with the right setup. Builders can often stage the work in phases so you don’t have to move out, but there’s still a lot to plan around.
Before work starts, it helps to ask a few practical questions. Where will the dust go? How long will the hallway or bathroom be blocked off? Will we need a temporary kitchen for a week or two?
You might want to
• Set up a makeshift kitchen if yours needs to be pulled apart
• Shuffle sleeping arrangements if downstairs rooms are opened up or noisy
• Talk about noise schedules with your builder so naps and video calls aren’t a problem
Builds are messier than people think, even when they’re done well. Protecting furniture, sealing off rooms, and thinking through the livable areas will help keep your family on track. And don’t forget the front yard or driveway, trades will need space for skip bins, delivery trucks, and scaffolding.
The biggest challenge during a build isn’t always noise or mess. It’s keeping up with the daily stuff like getting the kids to school, finding space to work, or making sure there’s a working toilet when everyone gets home from sport.
For a smoother run, take time before the build to plan out
• Where backpacks and shoes will go if your usual entry is closed
• What path kids will use if scaffolding blocks the normal driveway
• How you’ll handle things like bins, pets, and mail deliveries during the build
If you’re working from home or have small kids needing naps, flag this with your builder early. They can often space out louder work or adjust timelines so it lines up with school holidays. The less surprises, the better. Staying ahead of these headaches helps keep family life balanced, even when power tools are buzzing overhead.
Some design decisions might not seem urgent at the start, but they’ll matter a lot once the new space is done. Think of things like where the stairs go or how natural light reaches the old part of the house.
A second storey changes how the whole house feels, so it’s worth slowing down a bit to get these things right. We always remind people to look ahead to how the old and new will connect, especially when it comes to layout, materials, and airflow.
A few smart things to cover
• How stairs and hallways change the ground floor layout
• Whether the roofline, bricks, and windows will match what’s there
• If heating and cooling can be shared between both levels or need separate systems
Choosing house extension builders in Geelong who understand older homes can really help here. They’ll know how different materials behave, and how to blend a new upper level without it looking stuck on. The goal is never just more space, but space that feels like it was always meant to be there.
Adding a second level brings a lot of moving parts into play, but it doesn't have to turn family life upside down. With the right preparation, you can get through it without losing sleep, or your kitchen.
Careful planning around how you live today, and how the home needs to work tomorrow, makes all the difference. Good design shouldn’t make you adjust your life just to live in your house. It should support the way you already live, and give you room to grow later.
By thinking ahead, working with someone who understands homes like yours, and keeping family comfort at the centre, you can make changes that feel like part of the plan, not just part of the mess.
Planning your second storey addition doesn’t need to disrupt your daily routine. With thoughtful design and our years of experience, you can create a home that works better for your family while life keeps running smoothly. At Built by Hammond, we’ve helped families across Geelong increase their space without the hassle. When you’re ready to explore your options with trusted house extension builders in Geelong, let’s chat about how we can tailor a plan for your home and your needs.
