Know If Your Block Stacks Up Before You Design It
A duplex can be a great move, but only if the block, the rules and the numbers all work. Is dual occupancy even permitted on your site? Is the block big enough? Can you fit two dwellings that meet setbacks, parking and privacy rules? And crucially, can you subdivide and sell them separately?
Get those answers first and you move forward on solid ground. Skip them and you risk spending on plans for a project that was never going to stack up. We help you check it first.
The Approv Duplex Feasibility Review
A clear review of whether your block can support a duplex, the likely approval pathway, whether you can subdivide, and whether the numbers work, before you commit to plans or finance.
We review:
Whether dual occupancy is permitted on your site
Minimum lot size and frontage
The size and layout of two dwellings your block can fit
Subdivision potential, strata or Torrens
The likely approval pathway, fast-track or DA
Key site constraints
Setbacks, height, floor space and parking
Rough feasibility on the numbers
Recommended next steps and the professionals you'll need
Know whether it stacks up, what it will take, and whether it's worth progressing, before you spend serious money.
Why Build a Duplex
A duplex is one of the most effective ways to get more from a single block. Live in one and sell or rent the other to help fund the build, or build both as an investment. Recent NSW housing reforms have made dual occupancy possible in more areas than before, so blocks that were off the table a couple of years ago may now qualify. The opportunity only works if the site and the numbers stack up, which is exactly what we check first.
Find Out Exactly Where You Stand
[ How it works ]
We Check What Others Miss
An extension can look simple and still hit walls you didn't see coming. Here's what we check before you design anything.
Lot size & frontage
Duplexes have minimum lot size and frontage requirements. We confirm your block meets them before you spend a cent.
Subdivision
Whether you can split the two dwellings onto separate titles, and how, makes a huge difference to the value. We check it early.
Setbacks, floor space & height
These cap the size of the two dwellings. We work out the real envelope for both.
Parking
Two dwellings means parking for each, which can be tight on smaller blocks. We work it out up front.
Privacy and overshadowing
Two dwellings, often two storeys, raise overlooking and shadow concerns. We design around them early.
Sewer and easements
These can dictate where the dwellings sit, or rule out part of the block. We find them before they find you.
Trees, slope & Overlays
Significant trees, slope, flood and bushfire all affect what's possible and what it costs. We check the site against all of them.
[ faqs ]
Got Any Questions?
We’ve heard it all. Here’s everything you need to know before working with us.
Can I build a duplex on my block?
Possibly, and more blocks qualify than used to. It comes down to whether dual occupancy is permitted on your site, the lot size and the constraints. We confirm it before you commit.
Is dual occupancy allowed in my area now?
Recent NSW housing reforms have made dual occupancy possible in more areas than before, so it's worth checking even if you were told no in the past. We confirm the current position for your specific site.
How big does my block need to be for a duplex?
There are minimum lot size and frontage requirements, and they vary. We confirm whether your block meets them as the first step, before anything else gets spent.
Can I subdivide a duplex and sell the two halves separately?
Often yes, by strata or in some cases Torrens, but it depends on your block and the rules. It's the biggest value lever in the project, so we check it early.
Do I need a DA, or can I fast-track a duplex?
It depends on the site and design. Some duplexes can use a faster pathway if they meet the standards, others go to council as a DA. We tell you which applies to your block at the start.
Can I live in one and rent or sell the other?
Yes, that's one of the most common reasons people build a duplex, since the second dwelling can help fund the whole project. We confirm what's possible for your site.
How long does a duplex approval take?
It depends on the pathway. A fast-track route is quicker and more certain than a council DA. We lodge promptly once we have what we need, and getting the design and pathway right up front keeps it moving.
Is a duplex a good investment?
It can be, but only if the block, the approval and the numbers stack up, and whether you can subdivide makes a big difference. The feasibility review is how you find out properly before committing.
[ why choose us ]
Faster Pathways
Fewer Rejections
One Expert Team
Guranteed Approval
Active Project Approvals
in 2026
2019
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2025