Residential builds,
extensions & renos.

Overview

Carpentry-led residential delivery.

Residential work is where the small details matter most — and where a director on the job is worth the whole fee. We deliver new homes, extensions and renovations where the carpentry scope is the backbone of the build.

On architect-led projects, we work directly with the design team. On builder-led projects, we slot in as the carpentry package provider. Either way, you get the same standard and the same accountability.

Service area

Residential carpentry across Melbourne.

Machells is based in Cheltenham and delivers residential carpentry across greater Melbourne, with most of our work concentrated in two zones.

Bayside and south-east: Cheltenham, Brighton, Brighton East, Hampton, Hampton East, Black Rock, Sandringham, Beaumaris, Mentone, Parkdale, Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Caulfield, McKinnon, Ormond, Moorabbin, Highett, Hughesdale, Murrumbeena, Elsternwick.

Inner Melbourne and east: Toorak, South Yarra, Armadale, Prahran, Windsor, Malvern, Malvern East, St Kilda, Elwood, Richmond, Cremorne, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Camberwell, Canterbury, Balwyn, Surrey Hills, Brunswick, Brunswick East, Fitzroy, Carlton, Northcote.

We also take residential carpentry work elsewhere across Melbourne metro where the scope and program suit. If your project is outside our core area and you've got complex carpentry in scope, get in touch with the drawings and site address — we'll tell you straight if we can deliver it properly.

How we price

Residential carpentry costs in Melbourne.

Residential carpentry pricing varies considerably with scope. A builder-supplied first-fix carpentry package on a straightforward rear extension sits at a very different price point to an architect-led second-storey addition with engineered timber detailing, or a full carpentry package on a new build with heritage-overlay integration.

We don't publish fixed rates because they'd be misleading either way — instead we quote against complete drawings, provide a transparent breakdown against line items, and flag anything we think is under-specified before we commit to a number.

Every Machells quote includes the scope, exclusions, program with hold points, and a clear payment schedule — so you know exactly what you're getting before any site work starts. If your drawings are still developing, we can provide a schedule of rates or a not-to-exceed estimate with scope assumptions stated up front.

FAQ

Common questions.

Do you work as a builder or carpentry contractor?
We run carpentry-led scopes. On many residential jobs that's the full build from frame to finish; on others we work alongside a head builder delivering the carpentry package. Either way, a director manages the scope.

Can you work to architect drawings?
Yes. Most of our residential work is architect-designed. We read drawings carefully, flag clashes or tolerance issues early, and coordinate with the design team through construction.

Do you handle heritage-overlay extensions in Melbourne?
Yes. We've delivered heritage-overlay extensions where careful integration with existing structure was critical. Experienced with inner-Melbourne heritage sites specifically — Hawthorn, Kew, Brighton, Armadale, Toorak.

Do you offer fixed-price or cost-plus quotes?
Both, depending on scope clarity. If the drawings are complete, we price fixed. If the scope is still developing, we'll be upfront about what can be fixed and what needs to be re-measured.

Which Melbourne suburbs do you work across?
Most of our residential carpentry work is concentrated in Bayside (Cheltenham, Brighton, Hampton, Black Rock, Sandringham, Bentleigh, Mentone) and inner Melbourne (Hawthorn, Kew, Toorak, South Yarra, Richmond, Brunswick). We also take work across greater Melbourne metro where the scope and program suit.

How long does a typical residential project take in Melbourne?
Single-storey rear extensions typically take 3-5 months from site start. Second-storey additions run 5-8 months. Full new builds are usually 9-14 months. These are guides — we commit to a program only after we've reviewed drawings and confirmed structural scope.

Are you fully insured and builder registered?
Yes. Fully insured (public liability and workers compensation), all crew hold White Cards and relevant trade qualifications. We supply SWMS and full compliance documentation for your project management pack on request.

How much does residential carpentry cost in Melbourne?
Residential carpentry pricing varies significantly with scope, engineered timber requirements, heritage overlays, site access, and finishing specifications. We quote fixed against complete drawings and always provide a transparent scope, exclusions, program, and payment schedule before any work commits. Send us the scope and we'll come back with a real number.