Does an extension add value to a house?

Yes — extensions add significant value by increasing floor area, one of the strongest drivers of property value, and they can be tailored to blend seamlessly with the existing home when designed and built well.

What kind of projects do you take on?

Renovations, extensions, new builds, decks and pergolas, kitchens and bathrooms, and granny flats — across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter. Most of our work is in existing family homes: opening up a layout, adding a second storey or a rear extension, or rebuilding the outdoor living space.

Where do we start if we're thinking about a project?

With a conversation, and it costs nothing. Bring whatever you've got — full plans, a rough concept, or just an idea and a budget in mind — and we'll walk through what's realistic, what it involves, and what it's likely to cost. Sharing a ballpark budget early means the design gets developed around it, not the other way round.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Delaney Construction Projects Pty Ltd holds NSW builder licence 369751C and is fully insured. ABN 57 649 015 341, GST-registered since March 2021. You can verify the licence on the NSW Fair Trading register.

Fixed-price or cost-plus — which contract is better?

Both have their place. If your plans and selections are mostly finalised — often the case on a new build — a fixed price can work well. For renovations and extensions, where hidden conditions and evolving decisions are common, we prefer cost-plus: you pay the actual cost of materials and labour plus our agreed margin, with a detailed budget before work begins, fortnightly cost updates, and every invoice and receipt available to you. No inflated "just in case" allowances.

What do you need from us to price the job?

To prepare an estimated cost breakdown and an initial budget we only need architectural plans and engineering plans. Approvals (DA, construction certificate, stamped plans) aren't required at that stage but help, because they show the job can legally proceed. For a fixed-price contract you'd also finalise electrical and lighting plans, cabinetry drawings, fixtures and fittings schedules, and finishes selections.

How accurate is a builder's estimate?

It depends on the detail in your plans. Concept or sketch plans: roughly ±20–25%. Architectural and engineering plans: ±10–15%. Full specifications with item schedules and finishes: within about ±5%, which is usually enough for a fixed-price contract. We also recommend setting aside a 10–15% contingency for hidden issues, upgrades or changes.

Who will actually be on site?

Tobin and his own crew. You deal directly with the builder who quoted the job — not a sales rep who hands you over once the contract is signed.

Can we live in the house during a renovation?

Often, yes — it depends on the scope. We'll tell you straight up whether it's workable, and if it is we plan the staging around it so there's always a usable kitchen or bathroom.

Journal

September 2026 · 5 min read · Delaney Construction Projects

Which adds more value to your home — a renovation, an extension, or a new build?

Three paths, three very different outcomes. Here's how each one adds value — and real examples from the families we've worked with.

Two-storey extension with white cladding completed by Delaney Construction Projects

Renovations

Renovations focus on upgrading what's already there. This might be refreshing a tired bathroom, modernising a kitchen, or reworking the flow of existing rooms.

Renovations can:

Improve functionality and comfort without changing your home's footprint
Bring an older home up to modern standards
Be cost-effective compared to starting from scratch — depending on the condition of the existing structure

Extensions

Extensions are about creating more space — an extra bedroom, a bigger living area, a home office, or a new entertaining space.

Extensions can:

Increase liveability for a growing family without leaving the home you love
Add significant value by increasing floor area, one of the strongest drivers of property value
Be tailored to blend seamlessly with the existing home when designed and built well

New builds

Building new means starting with a blank canvas. This can be a knock-down rebuild on your existing block or building on a new site.

New builds can:

Deliver maximum design freedom — every element can be customised
Provide a modern, energy-efficient home built to today's standards
Avoid many of the compromises that come with working around an existing structure

Three examples from our own projects

Renovation: We recently worked with a family who loved their home's character but felt the layout was outdated. By reconfiguring the kitchen and living areas, and updating finishes throughout, they achieved a modern, open-plan feel at a fraction of the cost of an extension or rebuild — while retaining the charm of their original home.

Extension: A young couple expecting their second child came to us with a two-bedroom home they didn't want to leave. By adding a new master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe, plus a larger open-plan living space at the rear, they not only solved their immediate space issues but also significantly boosted the property's market appeal.

New build: One family weighed up the cost of extending their small, 1950s home versus starting fresh. Because the existing structure had significant issues with plumbing, wiring, and foundations, renovating or extending would have been a series of compromises. They opted for a knock-down rebuild, giving them a spacious, modern home with solar power, efficient insulation, and a layout designed exactly for their lifestyle.

Our advice

For most homeowners in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, renovations and extensions often strike the best balance between lifestyle and value. They allow you to stay in the location you love, improve the home you already have, and avoid the costs and disruptions of starting over.

A new build can certainly offer the biggest long-term gain, but it usually makes sense only when the existing structure is in poor condition, the block has untapped potential, or you're ready for a major reset.

Every project is different — and that's why we work closely with you to explore all three paths, weigh up the numbers, and help you make the choice that delivers the best result for your family and your investment.

Common questions

Is a renovation or an extension better value?: For most homeowners in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, renovations and extensions strike the best balance between lifestyle and value — you stay in the location you love, improve the home you already have, and avoid the cost and disruption of starting over. A renovation upgrades what's there; an extension adds floor area, one of the strongest drivers of property value.
When does a knock-down rebuild make sense?: Usually when the existing structure is in poor condition — significant issues with plumbing, wiring or foundations — the block has untapped potential, or you're ready for a major reset. Starting fresh gives maximum design freedom and a modern, energy-efficient home built to today's standards.
Does an extension add value to a house?: Yes — extensions add significant value by increasing floor area, one of the strongest drivers of property value, and they can be tailored to blend seamlessly with the existing home when designed and built well.