Older homes. Complex renovations. Built with care.
Renovating older homes starts with understanding what's already there.
Heritage and period home renovations come with challenges that aren't always obvious on the drawings. Ageing structures, original materials, restricted access and heritage considerations all require careful planning and practical construction knowledge.
Starting early? We work alongside your architect or designer to understand the existing home, assess the proposed alterations and consider buildability, heritage requirements and budget before the design is finalised.
Already have plans? We'll review the documentation, identify potential construction challenges and prepare a detailed fixed-price proposal for your renovation.
- Early builder input or plans-ready renovation pricing
- Practical advice on existing structures, heritage constraints and buildability
- Hands-on involvement from planning through construction
Complete Clarity
We'll discuss your heritage or period home, renovation goals, budget and any existing plans. It's an opportunity to understand the property, the scope of work and any known heritage considerations before agreeing on the next steps.
We walk through your home to understand its existing structure, original features and proposed alterations. We'll assess site access, potential construction challenges and details requiring particular care.
We work alongside your architect or designer to review structural requirements, heritage considerations and buildability. Whether you're starting early or have completed plans, we'll help establish a clear scope before preparing a detailed fixed-price proposal.
Our dedicated team manages your renovation with hands-on builder involvement, clear communication and careful attention to original features, structural alterations and the quality of the finished home.
Our Commitment
We believe every home renovation deserves the time, care and attention it takes to do it properly. Working within an existing home requires careful planning, practical problem-solving and an understanding of how the old and new come together.
It's work we genuinely enjoy, and something we take pride in getting right. Rather than taking on more work than we can properly support, we deliberately limit the number of projects we undertake. This allows me to remain personally involved on site, working closely with our carpenters, clients, architects and designers throughout construction.
For us, success isn't measured by the number of renovations we complete. It's measured by the relationships we build, the experience we provide and the homes we're proud to hand over.
Director
.jpg)
Client Testimonials
Matt and his team from Rival Building Group were fantastic to work with! Matt was extremely easy to deal with and patient throughout the whole process, from beginning to end.
The team were attentive, had a great turnaround on the renovation, and communicated really well the entire way through. We were very happy with the renovation — it turned out amazing! Highly recommend!
From the very beginning the service was personalised. We were able to work directly with Matthew and his team and felt we had input into the whole process. This gave us a real sense of comfort that we were being looked after.
Thank you for being flexible with our changes along the way. Our dealings with Rival building group were more than professional, reliable, and the communication was excellent . Building done with precision. Highly recommend!
Very responsive and easy to deal with, Matt and his team delivered exactly what we wanted! Fast turn around, precise detail, and a very fair price! Couldnt recommend Matt and his team enough!! 10/10, AAA+++++++
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We work with homeowners who have completed plans and those still exploring their options. We can collaborate with your existing architect or designer, or introduce suitable professionals. Early builder involvement helps identify structural challenges, heritage considerations and construction costs before designs are finalised.
Heritage renovation costs depend on the property's condition, structural alterations, original features and extent of work. At Rival, we focus on substantial renovations, generally starting from $400,000, with complex projects often exceeding $600,000. We prepare a detailed fixed-price proposal once the scope and documentation are finalised.
Yes. We undertake renovations to established and period homes, including properties affected by heritage overlays. Planning requirements vary depending on the property and proposed works. We work alongside your architect, designer and relevant consultants to understand these requirements before construction begins.
Rival Building Group undertakes heritage and period home renovations across Melbourne's eastern and inner-eastern suburbs, including Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Balwyn and surrounding areas. We also consider suitable projects elsewhere in Melbourne.
We'll discuss your existing home, renovation plans, budget and timeframe during an initial discovery call. If the project is a good fit, we'll arrange a site consultation to review the property, discuss construction challenges and establish the next steps towards planning and pricing.
Planning a heritage or period home renovation in Melbourne?
Tell us a little about your home and what you're planning. Matt will personally review your enquiry and get in touch to discuss your renovation and the next steps.
