do you have any photos showing the shape of the new and old roofs..what are the walls and roof made out of..are there homes in the neighbourhood with upstairs rooms, can you enlarge the plans and post again so that the writing and measurements are clearly visible and what do you love and hate about the existing extension?

Thank you. Sorry I can’t enlarge, dont behave that facility. I can give you details or a bad mud map
Both roofs are pitched, but off centre. Back extension kitchen etc is open. Ie no ceiling. I have a photo maybe , but I know I looked on google earth the other day. Roof is colourbond . Walls are cladding yes other houses have upstair rooms, but not on the front. I know that isn’t allowed. Typical weatherboard house in inner Melb.

upstairs space will be decide by downstairs spaces so we need the dimensions..what's the length and width of the study and bathroom, what's the distance from the outside of the bathroom and study walls to the side fence and what is the length and width of the whole living/kitchen/dining room and the size of the western sliding door from living room to courtyard and can you show a photo of the roof from Google earth

This is mud map I hope it comes out ok

length is 2000; width is 1500 )

front boundary width is 6.10 ( may be a little more there as land widens slightly inside with of back room is 5380. bathroom width 2400 width of kitchen 5380 length (wall to wall 5880.)

not sure of size of western door. I'll try and do better.

Photos of plan

Yeah I did it. hope this helps ok louise

there isn't enough space to include the stairs in the bathroom, study or hallway but, depending on local building regulations, there should be enough space to build a master suite above the study extending to create a verandah that will shelter some of the hot sun from the study but sacrificing some space from the living area and altering the doors into the courtyard to suit the reduced headroom if necessary should allow enough access and a good sized bedroom with biw and ens..a local architect or building designer should be able to advise about local restrictions but a timber building should make the renovations much easier

Thank you so much. Answers a question. It seems that it is possible. That still gives a useable 3 bedroom/ study on the ground level too? There is the possibility also to extend living room further out the back, which was 1 suggestion. Making a lot more to spend tho. Still the alternate to relocate isn’t cheap either with stamp duty alone a big cost.
An alternate suggestion was to build a studio at the rear.
A balancing act.

Thank you Louise - all of those considerations are taking place just as you said. Living rooms space is ideal. Problem is current location cannot be beaten: trams; trains ;schools; shops. A few places have extended like this for that exact purpose. May have to wait for a larger house to magically appears that is affordable.

Good to bounce ideas off someone.

how much space is left in the back garden in case a studio or rear extension is to be considered

quite a bit from end of deck to rear boundary 7.1 m.

Question in relation to plan ( excuse my ignorance) but why can you put stairs in the living room but not use a similar space from the study? is it the height?

last comment - i would add there is rear lane access.

Would you mind giving some advice on a better layout of the bathroom. It needs to be completed in a better manner- it was only done a temporary to " get it done" before a transfer interstate. Returned back with a family.

would be so much simpler if there was enough space in the study (btw i guessed the width of the study as it's not shown on your plans) but the problem with using the study for the stairs is that there's not enough lenGth without the sideways steps at the top and then that uses too much floor space upstairs as well as taking a Big chunk off the coutyard and impacting the study and living room glass sliding doors..this is how it could look with much smaller bedroom and bathroom

but i'm now wondering how much space you could steal out of the backyard?..i almost asked about rear access but though that would be too good to be true but now i'm thinking that instead of altering the existing building that a carport/alfresco with an upstairs master suite might be a much better option

but a detailed on site inspection by a local architect or designer will clarify the exact amount of space available and probably suggest a much better alternative

and we need more accurate measurements of the existing bathroom..please measure the internal length and width of the room

Wow for that suggestion. I love it. The courtyards link them. I love courtyard houses.Better than a plain building across backyard. If laundry goes out there. Separately it will help the size of main bathroom.
Sorry don’t have internal bathroom measurements. As you may have guessed I am looking into alternatives for son. His thought had been for above study or back. Though back would be better as would not disturb household as much. He hasn’t had much time to investigate I suggested he try Houzz.
The working from home part has been a lesson.

now, before we get excited, you must first check with council (and neighbours) to find out if building along the backyard boundaries and upstairs is legal although wishful thinking it would be cheaper and more productive than changing too much of the existing house and, if the dimensions of the family bathroom are at least 1600 x 3600 and didn't need laundry fixtures, there should be enough space to add a built in (not freestanding) bath, double walk in shower, toilet and vanity but your son now needs to employ a professional to clarify any of these ideas

Thank you again- it gives a few ideas and options. The thought had been across back boundary- but there was restrictions there. Don't think the side extension had even been thought of. I remember him saying with upstairs they had to go in from next door boundary house and something similar in the back yard side - where you have put courtyard. A light and sun issue. As mentioned a few in street have done extensions so he is a little familiar with what they have " suffered". Food for thought..

No-one seems to have brought up what , to me , seems like the second most logical suggestion ( admitttedly , without knowing the planning rules ) .

The logical still seems to be to sell .

Failing that , I'd look at extending the study , taking in the courtyard , alter the internal door ( suggestion - a single door on the 'right' side of the existing study doors area ) , add an ensuite ( relatively easy as the existing bathroom is just through the wall ) , and make that room your master bedroom with en-suite .

Move the ranchslider , or add a roof to floor window , to get natural light into the new master , and possibly add a skylight or two above the dining room , as it will lose the ranchslider .

Not perfect , but if you go up it will be costly , there are engineering issues , matching materials , new roof , all sorts of logistical problems .

'My' suggestion cuts down outdoor space , and may exceed the building to land-size ratios , but its so much easier building , engineering , roofing , plumbing and materials matching wise , gives you all or most of the space you are after , so IMO way more bang per buck .

Having said that , only you know your priorities , budget and what you are happy to give up to gain .

Daahhh -- just looked at the Google photo , and you already have the skylights !

Thank you Pottys99

again that seems a good idea, and doable and as you say not as expensive. Then a real 3 bedroom 2 bathroom home.

Yes selling and moving would be easiest- thought of it- but if you put agents commiss. plus stamp duty on a new place makes a rough $100,000.00. A big use of otherwise useful funds and probably not like to give you much more this area. It is a balancing act.

Actually the slider on the west is a bit of a pain as the western setting sun in summer really hits it and it makes the court yard very hot . Nothings perfect.