Duplex & Dual Occupancy Builders in Melbourne
Ardmillian designs and builds duplexes and dual occupancy homes across Melbourne, managing design, town planning, and construction under one roof. If you own a block and want to know what’s possible, start with a free site consultation.
The Duplex Construction Process
Initial Consultation
We talk through your block, your goals, and your timeline. No obligation, no sales pitch. This is where we work out whether your site is viable, what configuration makes sense, and whether we’re the right fit for your project.
01
Design & Dual Occupancy Layouts
We develop custom floor plans built around your block, not off-the-shelf layouts forced onto a site they don’t suit. Whether you’re after a side-by-side duplex design, a front-to-back dual occupancy, or a corner block development, every decision is drawn to your lot dimensions, council setbacks, and what you want from each dwelling. Natural light, privacy between the two homes, and street appeal are not afterthoughts.
02
Town Planning & Council Approvals
Dual occupancy projects require planning permits, and requirements vary by council, zoning, and site. We manage the entire process of town planning documentation, ResCode compliance, council submissions, follow-up. You don’t chase paperwork.
03
Construction & Project Management
Your build runs under a single contract with our team managing every stage, using trades we’ve worked with for years.
04
Warranty
and Maintenance
Once your home is handed over, our director provides a structured maintenance period to support you through the transition. We’ll be available to address any defects or concerns that arise, so you can settle in with confidence.
05
Is My Block Suitable for a Duplex?
There’s no single answer: minimum lot sizes and frontage requirements vary by council and zoning. As a general guide, side-by-side duplex designs in Melbourne typically need a block around 15 metres wide or more. Front-to-back configurations can work on narrower but deeper lots. Corner blocks often present the best opportunity, as each dwelling can have its own street frontage and separate access.
Overlays, heritage, vegetation, flooding can also affect what’s achievable. The fastest way to get a straight answer for your specific block is to send us the title details. We review it and come back to you with an honest assessment of what’s possible. No fee, no commitment.
06
What Is a Duplex? What Is Dual Occupancy?
A duplex is two dwellings that share a central wall, built on a single title. Dual occupancy is a broader term that covers both attached homes (like a duplex) and detached homes on the same block, and can include subdivision onto separate titles.
The most common configurations in Melbourne are side-by-side duplexes (two homes with street frontage, sharing a wall), front-to-back or tandem builds (one dwelling behind the other, often with a shared driveway), and corner block developments where each dwelling gets its own street access. The right configuration depends on your block’s width, depth, zoning, and council requirements.
Why More Melbourne Landowners Are Building Duplexes
Melbourne land is expensive. Building two dwellings on one block is one of the most direct ways to get full value from a site you already own. Whether you live in one and rent the other, build to sell both, or create space for family members who want to stay close without sharing a roof, a duplex gives you options that a single dwelling doesn’t.
Melbourne’s planning environment has also shifted in favour of medium-density housing. State policy supports dual occupancy as part of addressing housing supply, which matters both for how councils assess applications and for long-term resale.
Multigenerational living is another driver. More Melbourne families are using dual occupancy to keep parents and adult children close on the same block, with full privacy, and without the compromises of a shared home. It’s a practical arrangement that works financially and practically when it’s designed well from the start.
We build in all suburbs in Melbourne
We build duplex and dual occupancy homes across Melbourne, with completed projects in Bentleigh, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Tullamarine, Westmeadows, and Clyde North. We’re experienced across multiple councils and their planning requirements; if your block is in Melbourne, get in touch and we’ll tell you what’s possible
Duplex & Dual Occupancy FAQs
A duplex is two attached dwellings that share a wall, typically on one title. Dual occupancy is the broader planning term covering both attached and detached two-dwelling developments on a single residential lot. Both can be subdivided into separate titles, subject to council approval.
A typical duplex or dual occupancy project in Melbourne takes 18 to 24 months from initial design through to handover including design, town planning, building permit, and construction. Council assessment times vary and are often the biggest variable. Getting your builder involved early is one of the most effective ways to compress the overall timeline.
Yes. Most dual occupancy projects in Melbourne require a planning permit, and all require a building permit. Planning requirements depend on your zoning, lot size, and any overlays that apply to your property. We manage the full permit process as part of our service.
In most cases, yes. Subdivision allows each dwelling to be sold or held on a separate title, which significantly increases the financial flexibility of your project. Subdivision is applied for as part of the planning process, and we build this into the project scope where it makes sense for your goals.
Yes, and it’s one of the most common reasons clients come to us. Occupying one side while renting the other offsets holding costs, generates income, and keeps your options open on the second dwelling. Good design matters here acoustic separation, separate entries, and independent outdoor areas make a real difference to how well the arrangement works day-to-day.
Minimum lot sizes vary by council and zoning. Side-by-side configurations generally need at least 15 metres of frontage. Front-to-back designs can work on narrower lots with sufficient depth. The exact requirements depend on your specific block, zoning, and council send us the address and we’ll tell you what applies.
Construction costs for a quality dual occupancy in Melbourne typically run per dwelling, depending on size, site conditions, finishes, and specification. Total project cost also includes design, town planning permits, engineering, and landscaping.
Anyone who quotes a price without seeing your block and understanding your brief is guessing. We provide detailed, transparent costings once we’ve completed feasibility so you have accurate numbers before you commit to a design or a contract.
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Talk to Us About Your Block
We’ve been building in Melbourne for over 20 years. We take on a small number of projects at a time so every client has direct access to our team from that first conversation through to the day you get the keys. If you own a block and want to know what a duplex or dual occupancy could look like on it, book a free site consultation. We’ll assess your block, talk through what’s possible, and give you an honest picture of the process before you commit to anything.
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