A Second Storey Extension That Looks
(And Feels) Like It's Always Been Part of Your Home
For Mornington Peninsula Homeowners Who
Want to Avoid Expensive Mistakes (And
Regrets) With Their Second Storey Extension
A Second Storey Extension That Looks
(And Feels) Like It's Always Been Part of Your Home
For Mornington Peninsula Homeowners Who
Want to Avoid Expensive Mistakes (And
Regrets) With Their Second Storey Extension
20+ YRS building on the Mornington Peninsula
Lifetime Structural Warranty
Supervisors managing 2 projects, not 25
5-star Google reviews
Because It's Designed to Integrate, Built With Millimetre Precision,
and Backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty
Adding a second storey is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make in your home. It's also the one renovation where problems can't hide behind fresh paint for long.
You won't notice the wall framed a few millimetres out of true on handover day. You won't feel that the floors were nailed instead of glued and screwed. But give it two years -- or ten. When cracks track above doorways and the floor starts to move, you know something expensive is wrong.
And then there's the comment you'll never forget -- a visitor, first time in your home, looking up at your second storey and saying, "Oh, you can tell it was added on, can't you."
At Alberse Homes, approximately 90% of our work is second-storey extensions -- and most of it arrives the same way: one family tells the next.
Clients who've been through the process put it better than we can:
"Very few surprises and variations -- which isn't the norm these days." -- Luke Cattanach, double-storey extension client
Here's what that looks like in practice:
A Second Storey That Looks Like It Was Always There
Integrated from the roofline down, designed with the right builder involved before the plans are locked in, so it never looks like a box plonked on top.
Zero-Tolerance Construction From the Slab Up
Laser-levelled slab, true walls, bolts instead of nails, floors glued and screwed -- because the millimetre decisions made during construction are what determine whether your home still feels solid in ten years.
A Supervisor on Your Site, Not Across Twenty-Five Others
So nothing gets missed, nothing gets buried, and problems are resolved before the next trade arrives.
A Fixed-Price Contract With Honest Numbers
Minimal provisional sums, because we know exactly what's involved before we quote it. And a builder who tells you upfront what to hold in reserve, rather than hiding surprises in the fine print once you're committed.
A Lifetime Structural Warranty
The only warranty of its kind on the Peninsula, because genuine confidence in how you build is the only reason to offer it.
What Your Home (And Life) Looks Like
With a Second Storey Done Right
Imagine your teenagers heading upstairs to their own bedrooms at the end of the day -- their own space, their own privacy, their own corner of the house. You and your partner, finally, with a living area that feels like yours again. Room for the grandparents to stay over without anyone sleeping on the couch. Space for the adult kids to come back to -- because home is actually big enough to want to come back to.
The house you already love, on the street you never wanted to leave, with the backyard still intact -- just with the space your family actually needs built right into it. No moving. No starting over somewhere else.
As for the second storey -- a visitor walking through for the first time wouldn't know which part was original and which part was added. The roofline flows. The proportions feel right. The floors feel solid and quiet -- not in a way anyone could point to specifically, just in a way that feels the way a well-built home should feel. Like it was always meant to be exactly this way.
If that's the second storey you've been picturing -- you're in exactly the right place.
The Questions Every Family Should Be Asking Before Signing With A Second Storey Builder -- And How We Answer Each One
Most families come to us with the same concerns – and they're the right ones to have. Because on a build this complex, the wrong answers are expensive.
Here are the questions and concerns we hear most often. And exactly what we do about each of them.
What If the Builder We Choose Has Never Really Done This Before?
Any licensed builder can legally take on a second-storey extension. That doesn't mean they've done one before -- or that they know what they don't know until they're already on your roof.
An inexperienced builder loads the contract with provisional sums and prime costs -- vague placeholders that look like a price but aren't. You sign on a number that seems reasonable. Then the real costs emerge, one variation at a time, once you're too committed to walk away.
"I fear that a builder that hasn't done it before will quote low and deliver very high. They don't know what they don't know." -- David Alberse
EXPERIENCE IS WHAT MAKES A SECOND STOREY GO RIGHT.
At Alberse Homes, approximately 90% of our work is second-storey extensions. Which means there isn't a structural problem, a sequencing challenge, or a weatherproofing decision this type of build produces that we haven't already encountered -- and solved -- more than once.
We've seen the mistakes that get made when someone is doing this for the first time. The load path that wasn't properly calculated. The waterproofing decision made too late. The sequencing error that held up three trades and cost the client six weeks. We know where the problems hide on a second-storey build -- because we've navigated every one of them, on builds across the Peninsula, over twenty years.
That experience is what you're buying when you choose a specialist. Not just confidence -- certainty.
What If It Ends Up Looking Like It Was Bolted On?
This is one of the most common -- and most visible -- failures in second-storey construction. A designer who has never worked closely with a builder draws plans that look beautiful on screen. The builder constructs exactly what's drawn. And the result looks like exactly what it is: a box placed on top of a house by someone who never asked how it would sit with what was already there.
By the time a client sees it, the plans are approved, the contract is signed, and changing anything means starting again.
"You can 100% get a designer who just goes, 'Oh yeah, no worries -- plonk a box on top. There you go.' And it looks terrible." -- David Alberse
WE GET INVOLVED BEFORE THE PLANS ARE LOCKED IN -- SO INTEGRATION IS BUILT INTO THE DESIGN, NOT RETROFITTED ONTO IT.
David introduces clients to designers who understand how to build a second storey that integrates -- not just one who can produce something that looks good on a screen. He brings his construction knowledge to the design process early, so the roofline, the proportions, and the structural logic are right before anything goes to planning.
If you already have plans drawn, David will review them carefully -- checking buildability, flagging anything that could create problems on site, and making sure every detail is optimised for your budget before construction begins.
The result is a second storey that a visitor to your home will think was always there.
What If Water Gets Into Our Home During Construction?
When a roof is opened for a second-storey build, the existing home below is exposed. One badly secured tarp, one unexpected storm, and the consequences are severe.
"The tarp fills up with water like a swimming pool, then it gives way -- and water comes cascading downstairs and destroys everything." -- David Alberse
This isn't a theoretical risk. It's what happens when a builder hasn't done enough second storeys to know what they're dealing with.
WE PLAN FOR WATER AS AN INEVITABILITY -- NOT A POSSIBILITY.
At Alberse Homes, every second-storey build includes replacing all downstairs plaster and floor coverings as a matter of course. Not because we expect catastrophic failure, but because experience has taught us that no matter how well a site is protected, water finds a way in.
Which means our clients move back into a home that looks brand new downstairs. As David tells every second-storey client: "Your house is going to look like a brand new house."
We'll Have to Move Out -- and We're Already Dreading It
For most second-storey builds, moving out is unavoidable. The roof comes off. The structure is open. Which means on top of a significant construction cost, you're looking at months of rent, months of living out of boxes, and months of relying entirely on your builder to keep you informed about a project you can't easily check on in person.
Communication gaps in this situation don't just cause anxiety. They erode trust. And once that's gone, no update can fully restore it.
YOU'LL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING ON YOUR SITE -- EVEN FROM 60 KILOMETRES AWAY.
Every Alberse Homes client receives access to a dedicated client portal -- updated regularly throughout the build with photos, notes, and progress reports. You open it and you can see exactly what's happening, what's been completed, and what's coming next.
David communicates early when timelines shift -- not with a week's notice, but as soon as he knows, so you're never scrambling for accommodation at the last minute. And the fixed-price contract means the financial commitment you made before you left is the one that holds while you're gone.
"They might be 60 kilometres away -- but they still feel like they're there." -- David Alberse
What If the Budget Blows Out Once We've Started?
Budget blowouts are the fear most commonly associated with renovations -- and second-storey extensions are particularly vulnerable. Above the slab, blowouts almost always trace back to one source: a builder who quoted vaguely, loaded the contract with provisional sums, and left the financial risk sitting squarely with the client.
"A lot of builders will put the whole frame down as a provisional sum just in case the price goes up -- and that's not running a business on honesty." -- David Alberse
THE NUMBER YOU AGREE TO IS THE NUMBER YOU PAY.
Alberse Homes works on a fixed-price contract with minimal provisional sums -- because honest quoting is non-negotiable.
David is upfront about the one area where unforeseen costs can genuinely arise -- underground conditions -- and always advises clients to hold a five to ten percent contingency for exactly this reason. Above the slab, the price holds. No variations for rising material costs. No mid-build renegotiation. And if something unexpected does arise below ground, you hear about it immediately -- not after it's been buried under the next stage of work.
What If Nobody Is Really Watching What's Happening on Site?
In volume building, one supervisor may be managing twenty-five to thirty homes simultaneously. Which means your site gets attention when someone gets around to it -- not when something needs it. Problems don't get caught early. They get stacked on top of. By the time they're visible, fixing them means undoing work that's already been done.
For a second-storey build -- where structural sequencing, weatherproofing, and load path integrity demand close and consistent oversight -- an absent supervisor isn't just inconvenient. It's a direct risk to the quality of your home.
YOUR SUPERVISOR MANAGES TWO PROJECTS -- NOT TWENTY-FIVE.
David's head supervisor Cal has been with Alberse Homes for a decade -- trained by David from his first day as an apprentice, and now a profit-share partner in the business. He doesn't just follow the standard. He owns it.
Which means when something needs attention on your site, it gets attention that day. Problems are resolved before the next trade arrives -- not after the next three trades have built on top of them. And the careful sequencing of each phase of a vertical build is maintained throughout, so structural work is completed and verified before the next stage begins.
What If the Structure Isn't Done Properly -- and We Don't Find Out for Years?
This is the fear that's hardest to shake -- because it's the one with the longest delay between cause and consequence. A second-storey build is where "she'll be right" and "close enough is good enough" do the most damage -- because on a vertical build, the decisions made early are the ones that get buried deepest. A wall framed a few millimetres out of true doesn't get easier to fix once the frame is up, the brickwork is started, and three more trades have worked on top of it. It gets invisible. Until years later, when it isn't.
Concrete nails instead of bolts. Floors nailed instead of glued and screwed. Each individual shortcut seems minor. Together, over time, they produce a home that moves, cracks, and settles in ways that are expensive to diagnose and even more expensive to fix.
And by the time the evidence appears, the builder is long gone and the warranty has expired.
A LIFETIME STRUCTURAL WARRANTY -- BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT GENUINE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR WORK LOOKS LIKE.
Most builders offer a ten-year structural warranty. Alberse Homes offers a lifetime structural warranty -- the only one of its kind on the Peninsula. It exists because David knows exactly what goes into every build, and has no reservations about standing behind it indefinitely.
The standard that makes it possible: walls built to zero deviation -- not the 6mm the Australian standard allows, but zero. Bolts where walls meet foundations, not concrete nails -- triple the cost, no movement, no cracking. Floors glued and screwed, not just nailed -- because nails alone mean squeaky floors within a decade. 45mm framing used as standard rather than the engineer-specified 35mm minimum -- straighter timber, more solid result.
"I stand by the materials we use and the way we build. I know there are no issues." -- David Alberse
We Don't Want to Lose Our Backyard -- But We're Running Out of Room Inside
The trampoline. The space for the dog. The outdoor area where the kids actually spend their afternoons. For most families on the Mornington Peninsula, that backyard isn't just a yard -- it's the part of the property everyone actually uses. The idea of sacrificing it for an extra room or two is a trade-off that simply doesn't work.
Going up solves that. But only if the builder you choose actually specialises in vertical construction -- because a second storey demands structural reinforcement, precise sequencing, and integration expertise that most builders encounter rarely, if at all.
BUILDING UP PRESERVES YOUR BACKYARD. CHOOSING THE RIGHT BUILDER PROTECTS EVERYTHING ELSE.
Your outdoor space stays intact (for garden, play or a pool). And the builder adding a level above your head has encountered and solved every structural, sequencing, and weatherproofing challenge this type of build produces -- more than once, and in more than one configuration.
What Families Actually Say When the Build Is Done and They're Living in It
We've told you how we build. Here's what the people we've built for say about the experience -- and the result.
These aren't sanitised comments collected on handover day when everyone is relieved it's over. They're honest reflections from families who've now lived in their Alberse Homes second-storey extensions long enough to know whether the promises held up. Read them the way you'd read a recommendation from a friend -- for the specific details that tell you what it's actually like to hand your home over to this team.
"We had Dave and the team carry out a significant double-storey extension adding two bedrooms, another living area, and an additional bathroom. The process from quoting to carrying out the works was efficient and we are very happy with the build quality and attention to detail. Great communication throughout the build and very few surprises and variations -- which isn't the norm these days. Very happy with the additional space we now have and the renovation experience."
Luke Cattanach, double-storey extension client
"I have a growing family and didn't want to move so decided an extension was an economical choice. Prior to contacting Dave I was frustrated by the indifference and the lack of consideration for what I needed. I found many builders out there just wanted your coin but had little regard for what is a difficult and stressful experience. Dave and his team were consummate professionals with peerless craft who genuinely care about their workmanship and their clients. Dave was available throughout the entire process with transparency and authenticity that made it an exciting and involved experience. The final result was simply exceptional quality from a team with mastery in their trade. Dave and the boys -- I cannot thank you enough."
G., Mornington Peninsula
"Alberse Homes built us such an amazing home. The workmanship, skill and attention to detail from Dave and his staff truly exceeded our expectations. From start to finish we shared a wonderful relationship and they showed genuine commitment to making sure every part of the house was exactly how we imagined it. They brought our vision to life and created our forever home. If you are looking for a high quality home with a builder that cares, we would highly recommend Alberse Homes."
Kim Sbisa
"David and his crew were trustworthy, caring and very helpful. The build was relatively timely without any corner cutting. We particularly appreciated the attention to finding excellent trades. We recommend the crew and of course David as the head very wholeheartedly."
Dr Zelman Lew
"I have been using David from Alberse for over 10 years now and I wouldn't trust anyone else to do any work at our house. Honest and professional with high attention to detail."
Andrew Peake
"David and his team were professional, accommodating, honest and reliable. Our project was delivered on time and on budget. My highest recommendation."
Joshua Pelham
"Straight forward and upfront with all costs. Rare to find a builder who takes pride in their work these days. Couldn't be happier with the end results."
Jason Humphreys
Questions Families Ask Before Committing to a Second Storey Extension
How much does a second-storey extension cost on the Mornington Peninsula?
Most second-storey extensions at Alberse Homes range from $450,000 to $1.2 million, depending on scope, site conditions, and the level of finish. David will give you an honest preliminary estimate at the first consultation -- based on what your specific project actually involves, not a number designed to get you through the door. He'll also advise on a realistic contingency buffer for underground conditions, so there are no financial surprises once construction begins.
Do I need to have plans before I contact you?
No -- and for a second-storey build specifically, getting David involved before plans are finalised can save you significant time and money. He'll connect you with a designer whose approach suits your project and stay involved to ensure the design integrates properly with your existing home before significant fees are committed. If you already have plans, David will review them carefully -- checking buildability, structural logic, and budget alignment -- and give you his honest assessment before anything is locked in.
Should we build up or extend out?
For most families on the Mornington Peninsula, the block simply doesn't allow for meaningful ground-floor expansion without sacrificing the outdoor space the family actually uses. Going up preserves the backyard, and on the Peninsula specifically, it often unlocks views that a ground-floor extension never could. David will assess both options at the first consultation based on your specific site -- so you're making the decision with a clear picture of what each involves, not an assumption.
What makes a second-storey extension more complex than a standard renovation?
A second storey isn't just building on top of what's there. It requires structural reinforcement of the existing home to carry the additional load, careful sequencing so construction proceeds without damaging what's below, weatherproofing during the open-roof stage, and integration that makes the finished result look like it was always part of the house. Every one of these demands is something most builders encounter rarely. At Alberse Homes, approximately 90% of our work is second-storey extensions -- which means there isn't a challenge this type of build produces that we haven't already solved.
Will we need to move out -- and how long for?
For most second-storey builds, moving out for the duration of construction is unavoidable. David will give you an honest timeline at the first consultation based on your specific project -- not an optimistic estimate designed to make the decision easier. If anything shifts during construction, you'll hear about it early, with enough notice to extend your accommodation arrangements rather than scrambling at the last minute.
How do you protect our home during construction -- especially when the roof is open?
This is one of the most important questions to ask any builder before signing. Water ingress during a second-storey build is not a theoretical risk -- it's an inevitability if the site isn't managed properly. At Alberse Homes, all downstairs plaster and floor coverings are removed and replaced as a matter of course, because experience has taught us that no matter how well a site is protected, water finds a way in. The result is that our clients move back into a home that looks brand new downstairs -- not one that shows the evidence of months of construction above it.
How long does a second-storey extension typically take to build?
Most second-storey extensions at Alberse Homes take between four and seven months from breaking ground to handover, depending on the scope of the build, the complexity of the structural work, and the level of finish specified. David will give you a realistic timeline at the first consultation based on your specific project -- not an optimistic estimate designed to make the decision easier.
If anything shifts during construction -- weather, material delays, unforeseen site conditions -- you'll hear about it early, with enough notice to adjust your accommodation arrangements rather than scrambling at the last minute. The client portal means you always know where things stand, so the timeline never catches you off guard.
How do we stay informed while we're living elsewhere?
Every Alberse Homes client has access to a dedicated client portal -- updated regularly with photos, notes, and progress reports throughout the build. You can see exactly what's happening on your site at any time, whether you're in temporary accommodation nearby or further afield. David communicates early when anything shifts, so you're never left wondering and never caught off guard.
How do you ensure the second storey looks like it was always part of the house?
Integration starts before the plans are drawn. David gets involved early to ensure the designer chosen for your project understands how to build a second storey that integrates -- not just one who can produce something that looks good on a screen. Roofline, proportions, structural logic -- these need to be right before anything goes to planning. If they're not, the result is the outcome every family dreads: a second storey that looks exactly like what it is. For clients who already have plans, David will review them with exactly this question in mind before construction begins.
What is the Early Works Agreement and why does it matter?
The Early Works Agreement formalises the relationship at the beginning of the design and planning stage. It sets out clearly what David will do for you in the early stages, what it costs, and what you can expect. It's not a large commitment -- it's a structured starting point that ensures the early feasibility and design work is properly resourced, and that both parties are clear on what happens next before any significant money is spent. For a build as complex as a second storey, having that structure in place early is how you avoid the expensive ambiguity that causes problems later.
Ready to Talk to a Builder Who's Done This Dozens of Times?
One conversation. No obligation. Just David, your project, and an honest discussion about what your second storey involves -- and whether Alberse Homes is the right builder to deliver it.
Let's Talk About Your Second Storey -- No Obligation, Just Answers
If you've read this far, you already know what you're looking for. A second storey that looks like it was always there. A builder who has done this many times and knows exactly what it demands. A fixed price you can trust. And someone who will tell you the truth -- even when the truth is something you didn't expect to hear.
That's exactly the kind of conversation David has with every family before anything gets signed.
It starts simply. You tell David what you're planning -- the space you need, the budget you're working with, where you're up to with plans or design. He listens, asks the right questions, and gives you his honest, expert advice on what's involved. Not a sales pitch. Not a polished presentation. Just a straight conversation with someone who has built dozens of second storeys and knows what to look for before anyone else does.
If there's something worth knowing about your specific site, your plans, or your budget -- David will raise it. Something that could save you money, prevent a problem, or change the direction you were heading before you walked in. That's true whether you end up building with Alberse Homes or not. Because the families who come to us having already made an expensive mistake are the ones who remind us why that conversation matters.
Here's what you can expect from your free consultation:
- A genuine discussion about your project -- what you want, what's realistic, and what the path forward looks like
- David's honest assessment of your plans if you have them -- buildability, budget alignment, and anything worth reconsidering before it's locked in
- A clear picture of what a second-storey extension actually involves -- the sequencing, the timeline, the disruption -- so there are no surprises waiting for you mid-build
- An honest answer on whether Alberse Homes is the right fit for your project -- and if not, why not
Most consultations take around 45 minutes. There's no cost and no obligation -- just a conversation that leaves you better informed, regardless of what you decide next.
Or call David directly. He answers his phone.