Concreters Inner West | All formwork, steel fixing and concreting

A sympathetic extension of a Balmain terrace

In late 2025, we commenced work on an extension of a terrace in Balmain in Sydney’s Inner West.

The architecturally designed renovation required extensive excavation of the rear garden, creating a lower-level basement, storage area and wine cellar. Above this will be a new living area that extends the existing kitchen and living space at street level.

Due to the heritage status of the property, this clever extension is positioned at the rear, remaining hidden from the street. When the project is complete, you will enter the terrace as usual, and the new extension will continue from the existing footprint. Internal stairs will lead down to the new basement.

STAGE 1

Basement excavation, wine cellar and storage

The first stage of this project involved excavation to a depth of approximately 2.6 metres across a fifty square metre footprint measuring roughly ten metres by five metres. Once complete, we arrived on-site. Most housing sites in Balmain are small and have limited access, so careful planning was essential when bringing equipment onsite and organising access for trucks and concrete pumps.

Once the ground was opened, drainage was installed around the full perimeter to protect the structure from moisture. Thermal heating systems were also incorporated into the ground to support comfort and long term energy efficiency.

A Dincel wall system installed for strength and waterproofing

We installed Dincel wall systems for the basement. Dincel was selected because its heavy-duty, strong plastic construction provides strong waterproofing advantages, which is particularly important for underground structures. The Dincel system is commonly used instead of brick or blockwork, which requires extensive and detailed waterproofing. Dincel offers a more cost-effective solution and consistent quality. Our team completed the basement slab along with the full Dincel wall structure, creating a secure and durable envelope for future storage and a wine cellar.

With the basement floor slab now complete, we could then commence work on the suspended slab that will support the new kitchen and living area.

STAGE 2

Kitchen and living room extension

Stage 2 involved preparing and pouring the floating concrete slab that sits above the newly constructed basement. This slab will form part of the extended ground floor level and will connect seamlessly with the existing rear of the property, creating the foundation for the new kitchen and living area.

A small section at the rear was intentionally left open during this stage. This space will become a private and sheltered outdoor terrace with a grassed area designed specifically for the owner’s dog. Once complete, the terrace will provide natural light, ventilation and a quiet outdoor retreat while maintaining the privacy expected of a heritage terrace in Balmain.

Inner West Concrete Quotes

With 40+ years of concreting experience, we bring extensive knowledge to any concrete and formwork project. We provide a high level of services and workmanship on all our projects, with attention to detail and a professional approach to every job. We are a friendly team, focused on our customers’ needs and satisfaction and getting the job done.

We have a local team of concreters, formworkers and steel fixers that are able to handle all residential and commercial projects, large and bespoke. We service the entire Sydney metropolitan area including the Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Upper and Lower North Shore, Inner West, and Sydney CBD.