Mitcham has always been one of Melbourne's most practical outer-east suburbs. Sitting within the City of Whitehorse, it offers the kind of block sizes, accessibility, and lifestyle balance that keeps families coming back generation after generation. Mitcham train station puts you on a direct line to the CBD, Eastland Shopping Centre is minutes away in Ringwood, and schools like Mullauna College and Antonio Park Primary give families solid options close to home.
What makes Mitcham interesting from a building perspective is the variety. You've got flat, straightforward blocks on the south side, undulating terrain as you move north towards the Dandenong Ranges foothills, pockets of established trees, and a suburb that's transitioned heavily from original 1950s and 60s housing stock into a mix of renovated homes and new builds. That variety means no two projects in Mitcham are the same.
Craft Built Homes has built across Mitcham and Melbourne's eastern suburbs for years. We understand the Whitehorse planning framework, we know which pockets of the suburb throw up site challenges, and we deliver homes that are designed around the block, not just dropped onto it.
We want to understand your block, your brief, and what matters most to you. If it's a Mitcham property with Vegetation Protection Overlays, character controls, or access constraints, we'll tell you what to expect upfront.
We clarify what's involved, what's realistic for your block, and map out the best path forward including plans, design, and any council approvals through Whitehorse.
We coordinate with your architect or designer, manage permits and planning approvals through Whitehorse City Council, and lock in the full build pathway before construction begins.
Detail-driven construction, steady communication, and a clean handover of your completed Mitcham home that you'll be proud of.
Knockdown rebuild on a block that's been in the family for decades. New home on a vacant lot. Extension that finally gives you the kitchen and living space you've been putting off. Whatever the project, we'll tell you exactly what's involved and how to get it done without the runaround.
Craft Built Homes builds custom homes, extensions, and full renovations across Mitcham most commonly knockdown rebuilds on established blocks, rear and second-storey extensions on post-war homes, and architect-led custom builds where the homeowner has a design and needs a builder who can deliver it without cutting corners.
Mitcham sits in the City of Whitehorse, 22km east of the CBD, and combines three things most suburbs don't: generous established blocks, significant tree canopy protected under SLO9 and Vegetation Protection Overlays, and Neighbourhood Character controls that shape how new homes must look and sit on the street. Getting all three right from the design stage is what keeps a Mitcham build on track.
Mitcham is covered by Whitehorse's Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9 (SLO9). A planning permit is required to remove a protected tree or build within 4 metres of one. This directly affects where a home can sit on the block, how extensions are positioned, and what demolition involves, all of which must be factored into the design before anything is lodged with council.
Whitehorse requires both a planning permit and a building permit for most new builds, knockdown rebuilds, and major extensions in Mitcham. The planning permit assesses Neighbourhood Character controls, tree protections, setbacks, and site coverage. Working with a builder who knows Whitehorse's expectations from day one means fewer objections, fewer redesigns, and a faster path to approval.
Yes. Mitcham offers large blocks, typically 600–800m² strong rail connections via the Belgrave and Lilydale lines, and a family-friendly suburb that's hard to leave. Most existing dwellings are post-war or 1960s–70s homes with outdated layouts and poor energy performance. A knockdown rebuild gives you a modern home on a block that's already in exactly the right location.
A single-storey rear extension in Mitcham typically starts from $150,000–$250,000. A second-storey addition generally starts from $250,000–$400,000+. Final costs shift depending on protected trees near the build footprint, soil conditions, and finish level. The only reliable way to budget is a fixed-price quote scoped around your specific block.
Whitehorse's Neighbourhood Character controls protect the low-density, garden suburban feel of Mitcham's established streets. Council assesses setbacks, height, materials, landscaping, and site coverage against these controls. A design that ignores them risks objections or costly amendments both of which add time before a permit is issued.
Assess four things: SLO9 tree protections, easements, soil type, and Neighbourhood Residential Zone requirements for your specific parcel. A builder experienced in Whitehorse can give you a site-specific read on all of these before you commit to a design or sign a contract skipping this step is the most common reason Mitcham projects hit unexpected delays.
Yes. The property must be fully vacant for demolition and for the entire construction phase. Most Mitcham families budget $15,000–$25,000 for temporary accommodation depending on local rental availability and build duration. Factor this in alongside demolition costs, permits, and site works for an accurate total project budget.
Ask: Is pricing fixed or does it rely on provisional sums? Who manages Whitehorse Council approvals and SLO9 tree assessments? How many projects are you running alongside mine? Who is my day-to-day site contact? Your contract must clearly cover scope, inclusions, variations, timeline, payment schedule, insurance, and warranty before you sign anything.
