Home and Apartment Renovations in Sydney’s Inner West - The No Stress, Do It Right Guide

If you’ve been dreaming of a brighter kitchen, an open living space, or a heritage sensitive refresh - welcome. Renovating in the Inner West is rewarding, but it’s rarely simple. Between heritage overlays, strata by‑laws, plumbing approvals, safety permits and waste management, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s where TR Building Solutions (TRBS) comes in. We translate codes and council speak into a clear plan, then deliver the build with care - from first chat to final handover.

The 60‑Second Snapshot

·       Three approval paths in NSW: Exempt Development (no planning approval), Complying Development Certificate (CDC) (fast‑track if you meet every code), or a Development Application (DA) (the merit pathway). Please feel free to read our post on CDC v DA.

·       Heritage is common in the Inner West. If you’re in a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) or your home is a Heritage Item, a DA is usually required.

·       Internal works can be exempt, but moving walls, plumbing or structure usually triggers CDC/DA.

·       Plumbing moves may require Section 68 council approvals and Sydney Water checks.

·       Safety and access including scaffolds, footpath permits, and road use for skips or cranes must be approved.

·       Strata / Class 2 buildings: cosmetic / minor / major works each have different owners‑corporation rules.

·       Latent conditions are common; TRBS plans contingencies so surprises don’t derail your build.

Step 1 - What You Can (and Can’t) Change

Non‑structural updates like kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and paint may be exempt. Moving walls or altering structure or external openings usually requires CDC or DA. Plumbing relocations often trigger Section 68 and Sydney Water approvals. TRBS handles these checks so work doesn’t stall.

Step 2 - Heritage and Conservation Areas (Inner West Reality Check)

Much of the Inner West is heritage‑listed. A good design respects the streetscape - roof forms, materials, and front façades  while modernising at the rear. TRBS conducts heritage checks early and works with designers to produce compliant yet contemporary results.

Step 3 - Approvals, Certifiers and Inspections

1. Pathway and documentation: plans, reports and certificates matched to Exempt / CDC / DA.2. Principal Certifier (PC): performs mandatory inspections and issues your Occupation Certificate once complete. TRBS program these inspections to avoid delays.3. Insurance: for residential work over $20,000, Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) cover must be in place before work starts or even a deposit is taken, we arrange and supply certificates.4. Class 2 Projects (Apartments / Multi‑Dwelling Buildings): under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW) (DBP Act), all regulated design and construction work on Class 2 buildings must be undertaken by registered design practitioners and licensed builders. TRBS is accredited to carry out Class 2 building work and lodges the required Design and Construction Declarations through the NSW Planning Portal.

Step 4 - Safety on Site: Scaffolding, Safety Requirements and Local Permits

Renovating in the Inner West often means narrow sites, shared footpaths and minimal parking. TRBS handles all safety and access logistics, so your project remains compliant and neighbour friendly.

Most multi‑storey or terrace renovations require scaffolding. Under SafeWork NSW, any scaffold with a potential fall greater than 4 m is classed as high‑risk work and must be erected, altered and dismantled by a licensed scaffolder. TRBS coordinates scaffold design, installation, hand‑over certificates and regular inspections, ensuring edge protection, signage and fall zones meet WHS regulations. TRBS also have several Builders that are licensed scaffolders who can make alterations at short notice so as not to delay works and sign off the changes.

If scaffolds or fencing encroach on the public footpath or nature strip, we obtain occupation permits or footpath approvals from Council. For cranes, concrete pumps, or skip bins placed on the roadway, we apply for road‑occupancy or hoarding permits, complete with traffic‑management plans compliant with Council and NSW road requirements.

Tight parking and heritage streets demand thoughtful logistics. Instead of using on‑street skip bins that block parking and invite complaints, TRBS typically removes demolition and construction waste by truck, minimising local impact, or secures a permanent Work Zone permit for essential deliveries and bins when required. This proactive approach keeps streets clear and neighbours on side, part of why TRBS is trusted across the Inner West.

Step 5 - Plumbing Moves: Hidden Complexity

Relocating bathrooms or kitchens changes drainage, venting and waterproofing, sometimes triggering:• Section 68 approvals via Council for stormwater or sewer alterations.• Sydney Water Tap‑In or Building Plan approvals if near assets. TRBS sequences these with the main approval so construction runs smoothly.

Step 6 - Latent Conditions: Expect the Unexpected

Older Inner West buildings often hide:• Asbestos (eaves, linings, vinyl tiles) - licensed removal required.• Outdated services - galvanised pipes, aging wiring, undersized drains.• Concealed decay - termite damage, rot, uneven subfloors.• Newer apartments - waterproofing or balcony membrane failures. TRBS identifies risks early and manages them transparently if they arise.

Step 7 - The TRBS Feasibility (with an Optional Design Pathway)

Before drawings or approvals, we conduct a feasibility and pathfinding session: zoning, heritage, strata, services, Section 68 / Sydney Water triggers and buildability. Where suitable, TRBS can also design your renovation in‑house, aligning compliance, cost and constructability from the start - a streamlined, stress‑free option built on our tender and delivery framework.

Step 8 - Full Time Supervision and Licensed, Experienced Trades

Renovations succeed through daily coordination. Every TRBS site has a full time supervisor overseeing trades, checking details and ensuring compliance.

Experienced, licensed trades cost a little more, but their rates include insurance, employee entitlements, training and compliance with the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW). This Act sets the benchmark for quality in Class 2 projects - only registered practitioners and licensed builders can undertake regulated design and building work. TRBS meets these standards on every project, giving clients peace of mind that work is carried out by qualified professionals who are accountable under law.

Inexperienced operators may cut corners or lack proper cover - leaving homeowners exposed. Fixing failed waterproofing or non‑compliant work is always more expensive than doing it right once.

TRBS Tip: Verify every contractor’s licence on the NSW Fair Trading register, confirm insurances, and ask who supervises your site day‑to‑day. A consistent face is your best quality control.

Written by TR Building Solutions - Licensed NSW Builder No. 278453C.Information correct at time of publishing: Winter 2025.