Ground-floor extensions
Add the living space, bedrooms or main suite your home is missing, with a considered connection to the existing house and garden.
Discuss an extension
Home extensions & internal renovations
More space.
Same place
you love.
Home extensions, first-floor additions and internal renovations in Penrith and the Lower Blue Mountains. Bring your plans, or work with us to shape the right way forward.
Let’s talk
about your home.
Tell us about your project, plans and budget so we can start with a useful conversation.
A home that works
for your family.
The right approach depends on your block, existing layout and the space you need.
First-floor additions
Create room above your existing footprint. Make space for growing children, a parents’ retreat or another living area.
Discuss an additionInternal renovations
Reconfigure the layout across your home, combining structural changes, connected living areas, kitchens and everyday spaces in one coordinated renovation.
Discuss a renovationKnow what’s included.
Before work begins.
Understand the scope, the allowances and how the work will affect your home.
Discuss my projectA quote specific to your property
Access, the existing structure and site conditions are considered alongside your plans, with inclusions and allowances made clear.
A plan for living through the build
Discuss access, essential rooms and living arrangements early. Harley, Nick and their trades take pride in keeping a clean, tidy site.
Design decisions grounded in your budget
Bring existing drawings or discuss a design-to-build pathway. We consider the scope and working budget together from the start.
Springwood homeowner
Why they chose
Arcwood.
“It really alleviated any concerns that we had.”
Clear communication and a thorough quote gave these homeowners confidence in their extension.
Discuss my project
Meet Harley
& Nick.
Arcwood Building was founded by Harley Refalo and Nicholas Wells in 2021, bringing together more than 20 years of building knowledge.
Based in Emu Plains, Harley and Nick have known each other for more than 13 years. Their approach combines detailed planning and quoting with practical care on site, helping families make more of the home and area they already love.
Discuss my projectFrom first ideas
to plans ready.
Start with what your home needs.
You don’t need drawings to begin. A clear picture of what isn’t working helps us discuss the right direction.
Discuss my projectHave ready for the conversation
- The space or rooms you need
- Your property suburb
- A realistic working budget
Turn your priorities into a useful brief.
We’ll discuss the home, your priorities and the practical next step. Photos and rough ideas are useful if you have them.
Talk about my projectHave ready for the conversation
- What you want to change and why
- Your budget and funding position
- Your preferred timing and any existing plans
Bring the design and build into alignment.
If you need plans, we can discuss a design-to-build pathway. If you already have a designer, involve the builder while the scope is taking shape.
Discuss my planning stageWhat to work through
- Develop drawings around the scope and budget
- Clarify the approvals your project needs
- Review site conditions, access and living arrangements
Let’s talk about the build.
Bring your drawings and approval status. We’ll review what’s ready, clarify what is still needed and discuss whether a site visit is the next step.
Discuss my plansHave ready for review
- Your current drawings
- Your DA, CC or CDC status, if applicable
- Your working budget and intended timing
Allow time for plans and approvals.
If design and approvals are still needed, the pathway to construction can take 6–12 months, depending on your property and scope. DA approval alone doesn’t mean building can start. We’ll clarify the remaining steps with you.
More space starts
with the right questions.
Should you extend into the garden, add another level or make your existing rooms work harder?
Our short planning guide helps you connect the space you need with your budget, planning stage and the realities of your site.
- Compare the three approaches.
- Consider budget, access and site constraints.
- Prepare your plans, priorities and timing for a useful first conversation.
Reviews from
Arcwood homeowners.
A second-storey extension
When an unforeseen design issue interrupted the build, Liz described Arcwood’s support while it was resolved, alongside careful workmanship and regular updates.
“Nick and Harley were always available to answer our queries and keep us informed during the whole process.”
A connected home renovation
Vicky’s project combined the kitchen, dining and living areas, laundry and powder room. Her review highlights the team’s organisation and attention to detail.
“The whole area has been transformed.”
A few things
you may be wondering.
Do I need plans before contacting Arcwood?
We welcome homeowners with plans ready, plans underway or a clear project in mind. We can work from your drawings or discuss a design-to-build pathway. The form captures your planning stage so we know where to begin.
What projects is this page for?
Ground-floor extensions, first-floor additions and internal renovations that rethink how the home works as a whole. That might combine changes to walls, kitchens, living areas and bedrooms, rather than treating each room as a separate job.
Which areas do you work in?
We’re based in Emu Plains and focus on Penrith and the Lower Blue Mountains, generally within around 30 kilometres of our base. Enter your property suburb in the form so we can confirm suitability for your project.
Why do you ask about budget and funding?
A working range helps us discuss a scope that is realistic for you before time is spent on detailed quoting. If finance is needed, understanding your borrowing options early helps keep the design and budget aligned. We don’t need your bank details or financial documents in this form.
How soon could construction start?
That depends on the scope, completed drawings, approvals and the team’s availability. Where plans and approvals still need to be prepared, allow for a planning period that can run to 6–12 months. This is a guide, not a promised start date.
Is a DA approval enough to start building?
No. For work approved through a development application, a construction certificate and other pre-start requirements must be addressed before building begins. Some eligible projects use a complying development certificate instead. We’ll discuss your project’s approval stage, rather than assume that drawings or DA consent mean it is ready to build.
What happens after my enquiry?
We’ll start by discussing your scope, suburb, plans, budget and timing. If the project is a fit, we can arrange the appropriate site review and agree the next steps towards an estimate, detailed quote or design work. If further design or preliminary services are needed, their scope and costs would be discussed before you proceed.
Can we stay at home during the work?
That depends on access, safety and how the build affects essential rooms and services. Raise this in the first conversation so living arrangements can be considered alongside the construction approach.
Let’s talk about
your home.
Tell us what needs to change, where your plans stand and the budget you have in mind. We’ll discuss whether the project is a fit and the right next step.
Home extensions & internal renovations
Penrith & Lower Blue Mountains
Discuss your project.
Your project, plans and contact details—in three short steps.