Whether you are a first-time developer or an established homeowner, two dwellings on one block provides more options. You could own your own home and sell or rent the other.

Now is a great time to plan ahead and improve your financial position. We sat down with Gerald Stutterd – Carter Grange Director to learn about Dual Occupancy Building.

Q: Why are Dual Occupancy builds becoming increasingly popular?

A: It’s typically based on a financial decision to maximise your land value, to get ahead. We’ve seen an influx of clients wanting to understand how their block would work for a Dual Occupancy home in recent years. Two dwellings on one block can offer you greater financial flexibility. The potential for our clients to own their own home and rent or sell the other can create both financial and lifestyle benefits.

Q. Who is a Dual Occupancy Build suitable for?

A. We build for everyone from experienced developers, through to baby boomers who want to create an investment opportunity for their older children, to younger families wanting to pay off their debt and get ahead. Our aim is to make the process as structured and transparent as possible. We have a specialist in-house Urban team who take care of everything from design to handover and have the experience to make the process as streamlined for our clients as possible. This means you don’t need to be a builder or developer to benefit.

Q. With so much change in the world is now a good time to build, or is it better to wait a couple of years?

A. With Melbourne’s real estate market becoming harder to crack and the cost of living on the rise, now is the perfect time to optimise your land and secure your financial future. Anyone who’s in the building or real estate industry understands that real estate and building is a long game. It’s good to start the conversation to explore your options so you can make informed decisions.

Q. What advice would you give someone deciding between builders?

A. Without question, go and see their work firsthand. And not just one build, go and see as many as you can. Speak to their clients and team to get a feel for their knowledge and experience – can they really deliver? Do they have a structure and service model in place to see you from the beginning to the end of your build.
We pride ourselves on being dual occupancy building specialists, with over 500 builds under our belt over the past 12 years. We take care of everything from knockdown, to design, permits and build, through to handover. We have an in-house interior design team and a design centre that you can visit anytime. We also have anywhere between 8-10 show homes open across Melbourne that you may visit to see our work, our finishes and meet with our team.

We sat down with our client and experienced property developer Ian Fayman, to hear about his recent Dual Occupancy build journey with Carter Grange.

Q: What was your first impression of Carter Grange?

A: I had seen Carter Grange’s Dual Occupancy work in the market and had heard good things.

I visited several Carter Grange display homes (with different sizes and specifications) and spoke with their team. I appreciated the quality of finishes and the specifications included.

Q: What made you decide to build with Carter Grange?

A: In March 2020, when I was considering my next project, I decided to reach out to see if Carter Grange would be a good fit. I needed to buy a block, and I had identified two sites worth considering, both in Caulfield North. Once I called Carter Grange, we met the same day, and visited both sites. The first site was 630sqm, and the second site was much larger being 900sqm.

Within 3 days Carter Grange provided me with a concept design & development feasibility for 2 x 32 SQ dwellings on the 630sqm block and 2 x 45+ SQ dwellings on the 900sqm site.

Having this information allowed me to decide (with confidence) to purchase the 900sqm site

I then began work with the Carter Grange team, which encompassed a Carter Grange Dual Occupancy specialist, a Town Planner, and their design team.

Q: What was your Design Brief?

A: My brief to the Carter Grange team was to design two large 45SQ+ dwellings (4 generous bedrooms, each with own ensuite & walk in robe), 2 separate living areas, separate dining area plus a study. A wow powder room was a must, with a beautiful kitchen, floor to ceiling 3 metre windows with double garages to both.

We decided to put in a lift, so that all bedrooms would be on the first floor, making ground floor all living.

Q: What stood out most when working with Carter Grange, compared to other builders you’ve worked with? 

A: The attention to detail, the formalised paperwork and process, their friendliness, and build knowledge.  Their staff went out of their way to explain every detail. And of course, as a developer – the price! 

Q: What elements of Carter Grange’s pricing stood out to you?

 A: Carter Grange offers a 24-month fixed price guarantee on the base house price of the build. Many of the other builders I met with offered 12-months or no price guarantee at all.

A 24-month guarantee showed to me that Carter Grange are realistic in the timeframes it takes to design a Dual Occupancy home and proceed through Council. (I’ve learnt this the hard way) I didn’t feel like I was given empty promises to get my business. 

Q: Would you build with Carter Grange again?

 A: Yes, I am. I bought another block on Bambra Road in March 2022; Carter Grange have advised we will start Construction in early 2023. With a 12-month build it will be a two-year project start-to-finish.

When clients Mia and Simon approached us, we were really excited by all the great ideas they had for their new home and the interesting challenges their block presented.

They wanted a new home that would work with their existing block and would carry them into the future with their two daughters.

The Brief

Our goal was to create a home that ticked all our client’s boxes, all while working within the constraints of the block size and within budget. The brief included a downstairs master bedroom giving their teenage girls space and privacy upstairs, as well as a functional space for the family.

“Both Mia & Simon didn’t get caught up in making the house too big, so a shared bathroom and separate powder room worked for the girls. In short, every inch of the house design was put to use,” says John.

The Challenge

Every build has its own unique set of challenges, and this build was no exception. Getting a custom modern façade right was very important and a delicate matter considering the heritage overlay on the block.

We used 3D software to help shape the overall design and guide our clients through different scenarios. This allowed them to make informed decisions which included step-downs in the design, resulting in better window placement and maximised light. They also chose to separate the dining and family areas without compromising on the open plan feel.

Every build has its own unique set of challenges, and this build was no exception. Getting a custom modern façade right was very important and a delicate matter considering the heritage overlay on the block.

We used 3D software to help shape the overall design and guide our clients through different scenarios. This allowed them to make informed decisions which included step-downs in the design, resulting in better window placement and maximised light. They also chose to separate the dining and family areas without compromising on the open plan feel.

The Look

Mia and Simon worked with our in-house Interior Designers to create a look that would suit the family’s individual style. The façade takes the well-loved gabled roof look, but a mix of materials gives it a modern twist. Timber melds with black steel and brick for a unique style that offers a nod to the heritage of the area.

Inside is a fresh, neutral pallet that reflects light and creates a sense of calm in this busy family’s life.

At Carter Grange, we value working closely with our clients to design a unique home that truly meets their needs.

For this build in Mt Waverley our clients were looking to create a warm, modern family home where they could effortlessly entertain. They prioritised a modern yet timeless design with open living spaces that seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor areas.

Our Process

Our in-house team handles everything from design and permits to knockdown, construction, and handover, providing a full end-to-end service. Starting with the floorplan, we designed a layout tailored to our client’s needs, block, and budget. We then brought our clients desire for a contemporary, timeless look to life in our design, starting with a unique façade that incorporated cultured stone cladding – all inspired by their personal architectural style and character.

The Design

After incorporating special features into the client’s home design that would enhance their lifestyle and enjoyment, the final touch was to hand-select materials and finishes to match their vision.

We’re hiring! Calling all Trades.

We’re on the hunt for additional trades due to significant growth and expansion into more suburbs across Melbourne. Are you a carpenter, concreter, tiler, or painter looking to work on custom homes?  We would like to hear from you.