November 23, 2025
Heritage homes in Kiama aren’t just old—they’re full of history, character, and details you won’t find in modern builds. That kind of charm isn’t easy to recreate, and it’s not something you want to change without care. We often meet homeowners who ask if a builder in Kiama can take on renovations for these kinds of homes. The short answer is yes, but not in the same way you’d handle a newer property.
Working on heritage homes means more than picking new tiles or giving the walls a fresh coat of paint. There are council rules to consider, special materials to source, and strict limits on what can and can’t be changed. Respecting the home’s original look and feel takes patience, skill, and an understanding of how these homes were built in the first place.
Not every old house is a heritage house. Kiama has plenty of older homes that still fall under standard building rules. But when a property is listed as heritage or part of a conservation zone, it comes under different rules entirely.
Kiama Council has specific heritage listings for areas like Jamberoo, Kiama town centre, and some coastal street pockets. These properties are protected because of their cultural or historical value. Some are tied to Kiama’s early dairy and quarry history. Others are important for the style of architecture used—timber cottages, stone homes, wrap-around verandahs, and ornate fireplaces all show up on these lists.
That heritage label affects what we can work on. It also means owners have extra steps to take if they want to build or renovate. Getting approval isn’t impossible, but it does take forward planning, good documentation, and a clear explanation of the changes.
Owning a heritage home doesn’t mean you can’t update it. But there are boundaries around what’s allowed. The council usually sticks to one basic idea: protect the parts of the home that make it unique.
Here’s what that often looks like:
- Keeping the façade close to how it was originally, especially if it's visible from the street
- Retaining original windows, doors, roofing shapes, and decorative fittings
- Avoiding major structural changes at the front of the home
- Using similar or matching materials for updates and repairs
Behind the scenes though, it’s usually fine to make updates. Plumbing, insulation, internal layout, and rear extensions are all open for design changes, as long as they don’t ruin the character of the home. Getting an architect involved can help shape those ideas while staying within the rules.
Planning earlier helps a lot. Waiting to submit changes once demolition has already begun usually leads to hold-ups. The approval process runs smoother when plans are put together with heritage limits in mind from the start.
Not every builder has worked on heritage buildings, and that experience matters more than most people realise. Older homes in Kiama usually have finer details, natural materials, and building techniques that aren’t common anymore. That affects how we approach just about everything.
For example, matching sandstone or slate roofing isn’t something you do by heading to the nearest supplier. We have to source it carefully, and sometimes that means working with heritage consultants or architects to either track it down or create matches that won’t stand out too much.
Original timber framing or ceiling roses come with their own set of challenges too. They’re usually handmade or at least shaped differently from modern pieces. It takes a steady hand to update flooring or door frames without damaging the layers that came before.
A builder in Kiama who knows the area will understand which trades to bring in, which materials work best, and what kind of planning helps avoid surprises once work starts.
Lighthouse Projects & Construction has experience collaborating with local heritage consultants, sourcing period-appropriate materials, and managing timber and stone restoration across Kiama.
One of the most common requests we get is from homeowners who love their heritage home but need more space. A growing family, a home office, or a better kitchen setup—all achievable, but not by knocking things down.
Most councils—including Kiama—support rear extensions or under-house upgrades, especially if those changes don’t affect the home’s appearance from the street. Builders can design these additions with modern features like open-plan rooms or bigger bathrooms, while still using weatherboards, trims, or rooflines that blend with the original design.
Protected sites also mean tighter limitations while working. Removing linings, pulling out old fireplaces, or shifting internal walls needs a very light touch. In some cases, our tradespeople are working in areas no bigger than a hallway, trying to preserve patterned cornices or older skirting boards.
Even with all these layers, you can still end up with a home that suits modern life. It just takes more patience and better planning from the get-go.
Summer in Kiama can swing from perfect building weather to tricky conditions in a single afternoon. Salt air, high humidity, and sudden storms all put pressure on older materials, especially timber and paint. That means once work kicks off, we need to protect surfaces between trades. Leaving new trims exposed for a few days in that heat can lead to cracking or swelling. It’s the kind of small detail that gets overlooked in newer builds but will cause problems in an older one.
Late December through early February is also when many trades slow down for holidays. Councils reduce their hours during this time too, which can delay approvals or inspections. We always recommend getting your paperwork in during November or earlier if you're hoping to break ground in the new year.
Planning work for a heritage home just before summer lets us manage those risks better. It gives us time to secure materials, coordinate trades, and get everything lined up before the quiet periods hit.
Lighthouse Projects & Construction schedules heritage renovations around peak humidity and council closures, ensuring timberwork is sealed and painted promptly to avoid damage.
Heritage homes come with a lot of character, but they shouldn’t feel rigid or outdated to live in. With the right design and careful planning, these homes can still be roomy, functional, and warm in winter. There’s a lot we’ve learned from working on homes across Kiama, and it’s always clearer when you’ve seen how these buildings last through wet summers or coastal winds.
Choosing the right builder isn’t just about who can handle the work, it’s about experience with older materials, local rules, and the kind of detail that brings out the best in a heritage home. When those parts come together, you won’t just get a renovation that fits your style. You get one that respects what was already there and helps keep a part of Kiama’s history alive.
Bringing new life to a character home takes more than modern finishes—it needs thoughtful design and a builder in Kiama who respects the home’s story. At Lighthouse Projects & Construction, we work to strike the right balance between original features and everyday function, so the result feels seamless. If you'd like to see how we've blended old with new before, take a look at our work in renovations.
