Every potential home owner has different requirements to consider when building a new house, whether a single-dwelling or duplex home. Building a duplex has an extra layer of complexity because two homes are being constructed on one block of land, so there are several important things to consider.
The dwelling needs to be the right size, your land needs to accommodate the two homes, and you need to consider customisation and how you will optimise the space.
Find the Right Land to Build a Duplex NSW
The most crucial step is finding the right block of land on which to build a duplex home. Not every block of land is suitable. This applies equally if you already own the block of land or are looking for a block on which to build. You need to ensure that the land you are considering is zoned correctly to construct a dual occupancy home and that it’s the right size.
NSW has a Government code designed to simplify the approval process for medium-density housing like duplexes. The Low Rise Housing Diversity Code (LRHDC) applies to all local government areas in NSW and allows dual occupancies to be approved through the fast-tracked Complying Development process.
But beware, the code applies only to properties zoned R1, R2, R3, and RU5 across NSW, where this type of housing is already permitted under a council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP).
Here is a quick summary of some key minimum requirements contained in the code, including:
- Blocks must be either 400 square metres or the minimum lot size required by the council, whichever is greater.
- Blocks need to be a minimum of 15 metres wide, or 12 metres wide, where the required car parking is provided at the rear or accessed by a secondary road.
- The dwellings must be located side-by-side, and each dwelling must have a frontage on a public road.
- No dwelling can be located behind another dwelling on the same lot except on a corner or a parallel road where each dwelling fronts a different road.
- Dwellings must be no higher than 8.5 metres and no more than two-storey.
- here are setback requirements for both primary and secondary roads and adjoining properties, and the minimum side setback is 0.9 metres.
- Each dwelling must be at least five metres wide, and off-street parking must be provided for at least one car per dwelling.
It’s not just the size and approvals you need to consider, you also need to assess the aspect of a site, the land depth, easements, access to gas, water, electricity, and sewage, and soil type and the slope of the block.
Kurmond Homes has built many duplex homes in Sydney. We can advise you of the suitability of your block and call on experts where required.
Choosing the Right Size Duplex Home
Just like building a standalone home, when you build a duplex home, you need to consider how you and your family live. Consider questions like:
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
- How much living space do you require for your family?
- Do you entertain and need a large kitchen/dining and alfresco area?
- What changing needs will you have to accommodate?
- Will you be living in just one of the homes or both?
By developing a list of your minimum requirements, you can choose the right size duplex home. Experienced duplex builders like Kurmond Homes offer a range of duplex home designs from the single-storey duplex Redleaf 39 to the double-storey duplex Arcadian 57, and many others.
Customise Your Duplex Home Plans
After compiling your list of requirements, you might find that no builder has precisely what you require in a standard design, so perhaps you should build a custom duplex. Kurmond Homes can customise a duplex house design to meet the needs and requirements of your block. We’ve had loads of experience doing this for dozens of families.
Customising can be a minimal change to one of our existing designs, or you can start with a blank sheet of paper and create your own dream homes with our guidance. We work with you to meet your needs and your budget.
Meeting Your Goals with Your Duplex Investment
You also need to know if you will live in one half and rent the other half of your new duplex and budget accordingly. This is an attractive option if you already own a small, outdated home on a valuable block of land. You can knock down and rebuild a duplex home on your block, providing you with rental income and a great place to live at the same time.
Your duplex home might also be an investment property only, and you plan to rent out both homes once they are complete. Areas with strong growth and high rental yields will give you the best return, but the land will also cost more.
The first step is to thoroughly research the local property market before you take any further steps to ensure the plan is financially viable. Visit some open houses in the area, talk to local real estate agents, and find out what buyers and renters like.
Consider proximity to local services and infrastructure, such as schools, shops, public transport, healthcare facilities, sporting grounds, and more. You also need to research future developments for the suburbs of interest.
Contact the Expert Duplex Home Builders Sydney
We specialise in dual occupancy homes with a range of duplex home designs and can also create a custom home to suit your wants and needs.
To discover more about building a duplex property with Kurmond Homes, please contact us today or visit one of our display homes.
