A Dual Occupancy development allows you to make better use of your land by creating two homes on one site. For some clients, it is a way to unlock equity and improve resale potential. For others, it provides rental income, multi-generational living options, or the flexibility to live in one home and sell or lease the other.

With land becoming harder to secure in established Melbourne suburbs, Dual Occupancy can be a smart way to maximise the value, usability and long-term potential of your property.

The suitability of your land depends on a range of factors including site dimensions, orientation, slope, zoning, overlays, neighbourhood character, trees, access, parking and private open space requirements.

At Carter Grange, our Dual Occupancy team can review your site and help identify what may be possible before you commit to the process. We consider the practical, planning and design requirements that can influence whether a dual occupancy project is achievable on your land.

Yes. All our Dual Occupancy projects begin with the demolition of an existing home, followed by the construction of two new dwellings on the same site.

This approach can be ideal for clients who own an older home on a well-located block and want to create more value, improve liveability or support a family or investment strategy. The key is ensuring the site is suitable and that the design responds to council requirements, your budget and vision and the overall development potential of the land.

The planning process begins with understanding your site, then preparing the documentation required for a Council planning application. This includes survey information, arborist advice, town planning documentation, landscape plans, shadow diagrams, design response material and external colours and finishes plus any additional reports.

Carter Grange works with the relevant consultants, including town planners, to help coordinate this process and respond to Council requirements along the way. Planning timeframes can vary depending on the site, Council, overlays and the level of feedback received during assessment.

Carter Grange helps guide you through the required approval pathway. This includes coordinating the relevant consultants and documentation for both the Planning Permit and Building Permit stages.

The Planning Permit generally relates to what Council will allow to be developed on the site. The Building Permit relates to the technical construction documentation required before building can commence. Our team works with the relevant professionals to help move your project from concept through to construction readiness.

Timeframes vary depending on the site, Council requirements, planning complexity, documentation, permits and construction conditions. As a guide, the early design and reporting stages may take a few months, while town planning approval can take longer depending on the application and Council process.

Once approvals, documentation and permits are in place, the project can move into construction. Our team will give you clearer guidance on expected timeframes once we understand your site and project requirements. Because every journey is different, we provide a 24-month fixed base house price guarantee and further have an additional 12-month of capped price increases.

Yes. If you are considering purchasing a property for a Dual Occupancy development, speaking with our team early can help you make a more informed decision.

We can help identify key site considerations such as frontage, depth, slope, orientation, trees, zoning, overlays and general design potential. While every site requires proper due diligence, early advice can help you avoid common issues and better understand whether the property may suit your goals.

Yes. Carter Grange specialises in custom design, which means each Dual Occupancy project is developed to respond to the site, the brief and the intended outcome.

Some clients want both homes to feel consistent and market-ready. Others want one dwelling tailored for their own lifestyle and the second designed for sale, rental or family use. Our design team works with you to create a considered solution that balances your needs and requirements, functionality, Council considerations and visual appeal.

The best place to start is by speaking with our Dual Occupancy team. We will discuss your property, goals, timing and whether you are looking to live, sell, lease or invest.

From there, we can review the key site details and guide you through the next steps, including feasibility, design, planning requirements and the overall pathway from initial concept to construction.