Developments
Dual occupancy and residential development, managed from feasibility to handover.
Dual occupancy and development, managed from feasibility to keys
NE Homes builds dual occupancies, backyard subdivisions and multi-unit projects for investors and homeowners across Melbourne's south east. Most clients own a block with potential they have not yet used: a rear yard that could carry a second dwelling, a corner allotment with subdivision potential, or a parcel where the zone allows more than one home.
The first question is always feasibility: what the planning scheme allows, what the likely yield is, and what it will cost. NE Homes runs that assessment before any design fees are spent. If the numbers do not stack up for your situation, you know that before committing to a draftsperson or planner.
NE Homes builds across three development types: dual occupancy (two dwellings on a single title), multi-unit projects of two to four dwellings, and apartment blocks up to four storeys under a domestic unlimited licence. Most clients start with a dual occupancy, the most common entry point for residential development in Melbourne's south east.
Everything from feasibility through to the occupancy certificate runs under one NE Homes contract. The director manages design coordination, council permits, construction documentation and the build. There is no separate project manager and no handoff between the planning phase and the build.
What the planning permit process actually involves
Planning permits for dual occupancy and multi-unit development in Melbourne's south east typically take 3 to 6 months through council. Objections from neighbours can extend that. NE Homes is direct about realistic timelines at the outset and liaises with the planning consultant directly, rather than leaving that coordination with you.
Melbourne's ResCode requirements govern setbacks, overlooking, overshadowing and private open space on multi-unit sites. Designs that do not address these up front go back to council with amendments that cost time and money. NE Homes builds ResCode requirements into the design brief from the first concept.
Building permits run separately from planning permits and add 6 to 8 weeks to the preconstruction phase. NE Homes manages both permit tracks and provides a clear programme showing where each sits in the overall timeline.
How NE Homes runs developments
Feasibility before any professional fees
Before any design work begins, NE Homes reviews your block, the applicable planning overlays and the likely yield. You get a clear picture of what is achievable before committing to a draftsperson, town planner or engineering report. If the development is not viable at your numbers, that conversation happens before any fees are spent.
ResCode built into the design from the start
Multi-unit developments in Melbourne must comply with ResCode requirements for setbacks, overlooking and private open space. Designs that ignore these requirements go back to council with amendments. NE Homes integrates ResCode into the brief before any design work begins, so the first set of plans is compliant.
Director oversight, not a rotating project manager
Volume developers cycle project managers between sites. NE Homes' director is the same point of contact from the first feasibility conversation through to the occupancy certificate, and on your site within the last 48 hours at any point during construction.
Fixed price once planning is resolved
Construction pricing is fixed after planning and building permits are in hand, because the approved design determines the full scope. NE Homes does not lock a price before that point. Once permits are issued, the contract is fixed and the number you sign is the number you pay.
Our Preliminary Process
Feasibility & Site Assessment
Site and yield assessment, zoning and constraints
Consultation
Director meets client, goals and brief
Proposal
Transparent pricing, inclusions and exclusions
Preliminary Contract
Clarifies expectations, costings and timeframes
Design & Build
Plans, selections, construction, handover
Your success is our success
NE Homes does not work on a transaction-by-transaction basis with development clients. A first project that performs well leads to a second. That relationship is the goal from the first feasibility conversation.
The feasibility check at the proposal stage uses current sales data for comparable properties in the target area. NE Homes also monitors market conditions during the build. If conditions shift materially, there is a conversation about what to do: reduce inclusions to protect the margin, or hold the spec because the numbers still work. Either way, the client is not finding out at settlement.
Most development clients come back for a second project. Some are investors building a long-term portfolio. Some are families who put a second dwelling on their block and want to do it again on a block they just bought. NE Homes builds both, and the feasibility process is the same either way. Building Licence CDB-U 62725.
Questions About Residential Developments
What types of development does NE Homes build?
NE Homes builds dual occupancies, multi-unit dwellings of two to three storeys and apartment blocks up to four storeys under a domestic unlimited licence. Dual occupancy is the most common starting point: two dwellings on one title, either side-by-side or front-and-back, with subdivision handled as part of the project. Most clients are investors with a block that has more potential than it is currently using, or homeowners looking to add a second dwelling to live in or rent. NE Homes also assists with subdivision. The work stays in Melbourne's south east, where the team knows the councils and the planning schemes.
How does a development project start?
With a feasibility assessment. NE Homes reviews your block, the applicable planning overlays and the likely yield before any design fees are committed. That gives you a clear picture of what is achievable. If the development is not viable at your numbers, you know that before spending money on a draftsperson or planner.
Do I need a town planner before I contact NE Homes?
Not necessarily. NE Homes can advise on planning potential in the initial consultation and refer you to the appropriate planning consultant where a permit application is required. Many clients come to us at the early concept stage, before any professional fees have been committed. If you already have a planner engaged, NE Homes coordinates directly with them.
How long does a dual occupancy project take?
From the initial consultation to handover, allow 18 to 24 months. The planning permit stage typically takes 3 to 6 months through a Melbourne metropolitan council, depending on the council and whether objections are lodged. The building permit adds 6 to 8 weeks. Construction runs 10 to 14 months depending on the scale of the development.
What licence covers NE Homes' work?
NE Homes is registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which manages builder insurance and registration in Victoria. We hold both company and personal domestic building unlimited licences, covering dual occupancy, multi-unit dwellings, apartment blocks up to four storeys, custom homes, knockdown rebuilds and all residential building work across Victoria.