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For many Melbourne homeowners—especially those buying a second home—renovating is about more than just aesthetics. It’s an investment. Whether you’re dreaming of more space, a better flow, or a stunning open-plan living area, working with an architect doesn’t just help you design a beautiful home—it can significantly increase your property’s market value.
At Mark MacInnis Architect, we specialise in helping Melbourne residents turn their second homes into forever homes. Here’s how great design translates into real dollars
Why Renovate with an Architect?
It’s a question we hear often: Why not just go straight to a builder? While builders can bring your plans to life, a registered architect brings the vision. Our role is to unlock your home’s potential by rethinking layout, flow, orientation, natural light and spatial use so that every dollar you spend delivers lasting impact and appeal.
Architectural design can:
Improve livability and energy efficiency
Create better spatial flow for family life
Maximise views, sunlight and privacy
Add timeless, marketable design features
Future-proof your home for changing needs
The Value Equation: Design vs. Resale
Real estate data consistently shows that well-designed renovations outperform generic upgrades. According to Domain and CoreLogic, homes with high-quality renovations—especially those designed by architects—sell faster and for a higher price. Strategic design can often add 15–25% or more to your home’s value, depending on the suburb and scope of work.
Please take one of our recent clients in Melbourne’s Inner North. Their original 1980s layout was dark and disconnected. With a considered extension and comprehensive internal redesign, we created an open-plan kitchen-living zone, added a second bathroom, and introduced natural light through clerestory windows. Six months after completion, the agent valued the home 20% higher than it was before the renovation.
What Adds the Most Value in Melbourne Homes?
In our experience, these architectural features consistently boost home value:
Open-plan kitchen/dining/living with indoor-outdoor flow
Additional bedroom or flexible home office
Master with ensuite and walk-in robe
Better energy efficiency and thermal performance
Street appeal through modern yet contextual façade design
Every site and client is different, which is why our design process is tailored to your specific needs, family, and future.
What Does It Cost to Engage an Architect?
Our services are an investment in doing it right the first time. Architect fees typically range from 8% to 15% of the construction budget, depending on service level. However, this upfront cost is often recouped—and sometimes exceeded—through improved resale value, energy savings, and the avoidance of costly design errors.
Final Thoughts: Design for Life—and Value
Renovating your Melbourne home should be about more than just today’s needs. With innovative architectural design, you’re not only improving how your home feels—you’re building future value. Whether it’s your forever home or part of your long-term financial strategy, working with an architect pays dividends.
At Mark MacInnis Architect, we help homeowners create homes that feel good, work well, and grow in value. If you’re planning a renovation or extension, let’s talk about how we can unlock the potential in your home.
👉 Book your free 20-minute call to get started.