Case Studies

Real projects. Real timelines. Real outcomes. See how Buildana delivers across Western Sydney.

Knockdown Rebuild

Fairfield Knockdown Rebuild

Fairfield, NSW 11 months 280sqm

A full knockdown rebuild replacing a 1960s fibro home with a modern 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence on an R2 lot.

Challenge

The original home contained asbestos cladding requiring licensed removal. The narrow 15m frontage limited vehicle access during demolition. Neighbour setback constraints required careful design coordination with council.

Solution

We managed the asbestos removal through a licensed subcontractor with full WorkCover compliance. The demolition was staged over 2 weeks to minimise disruption. The new home was designed to maximise the 280sqm footprint with a single-storey layout optimised for the block shape.

Result

Completed on time and within the fixed-price contract. The owners moved from a 3-bedroom fibro home into a modern 4-bedroom residence with double garage, open-plan living, and landscaped front and rear yards.

Duplex — Torrens Title

Cabramatta Duplex Development

Cabramatta, NSW 14 months 2 × 160sqm

A Torrens title duplex on an R3 zoned lot — two detached 3-bedroom dwellings for an owner-investor looking to live in one and rent the other.

Challenge

The existing site had a significant cross-fall requiring engineered retaining and stepped slab design. Stormwater management was complex due to council OSD requirements. The owner wanted both dwellings to feel like standalone homes, not attached units.

Solution

We designed detached dwellings with separate driveways and private courtyards. The stepped slab design worked with the natural fall to create level living areas without excessive cut and fill. A shared OSD tank was installed under the driveway to satisfy council stormwater requirements.

Result

Both dwellings were completed within budget. The owner occupies one and the second is tenanted at market rates, providing positive cashflow. The Torrens title subdivision was registered, giving each dwelling its own title.

Second-Storey Extension

Liverpool Home Extension

Liverpool, NSW 8 months 120sqm added

A second-storey addition to an existing single-storey brick home, adding 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, and a family retreat.

Challenge

The existing roof structure needed to be removed while the family continued living on the ground floor. Structural engineer reports showed the existing footings needed underpinning to support the additional storey. Council required a full DA due to heritage overlay in the area.

Solution

We staged the build in two phases — ground floor waterproofing and structural reinforcement first, then the upper level framing and lock-up. A temporary weatherproof membrane protected the ground floor during the transition period. We managed the full DA process including heritage impact statement.

Result

The family stayed in the home throughout construction with minimal disruption. The extension added 120sqm of living space without needing to relocate. Final inspection passed first time with no defects noted.

Secondary Dwelling — CDC

Bossley Park Granny Flat

Bossley Park, NSW 5 months 60sqm

A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom granny flat built in the backyard of an existing family home on a 700sqm R2 block, using the CDC fast-track approval pathway.

Challenge

The rear yard had limited access — no side driveway meant all materials had to be carried through a 1.2m side passage. Class H reactive clay soil required an engineered slab designed for significant ground movement. The owner wanted the granny flat positioned to preserve the existing mature fig tree.

Solution

We designed the build around the access constraint — prefabricated wall frames were delivered in sections sized for the side passage. An engineered waffle slab was designed for the H-class soil with deeper edge beams. The floor plan was oriented to maintain a 3m clearance to the fig tree, keeping the canopy intact. CDC approval was secured in 12 business days.

Result

Completed two weeks ahead of schedule. The 60sqm granny flat includes open-plan kitchen and living, two bedrooms, full bathroom, and a covered entry. The owner rents it at $420 per week — paying off the build cost within 8 years while the fig tree remains untouched.

Boarding House — New Build

Smithfield Boarding House

Smithfield, NSW 16 months 12 rooms across 2 levels

A purpose-built new-generation boarding house on an R3 Medium Density block, designed to meet ARH SEPP requirements with 12 self-contained rooms and communal facilities.

Challenge

The site was a narrow 18m-wide lot with an existing dwelling requiring demolition. Flooding overlays under Fairfield LEP 2013 imposed minimum floor-level requirements that affected the ground-floor layout. Acoustic separation between rooms needed to meet BCA Class 3 standards.

Solution

We designed a two-storey building with the ground floor raised 400mm above flood planning level, incorporating a suspended concrete slab. Internal walls used double-stud framing with acoustic batts and resilient mounts to exceed the BCA Rw 50 requirement. Each room was designed with its own kitchenette and bathroom to meet the new-generation boarding house definition under SEPP.

Result

All 12 rooms were tenanted within 3 weeks of completion. The building met all Fairfield Council and NSW Fire conditions at final inspection. The owner achieved a gross yield above 8% — stronger than a comparable duplex or townhouse development on the same block.

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