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Alfresco areas

Alfresco areas and outdoor rooms for Newcastle homes

I’m Liam Sharpe, a licensed carpenter. I build covered alfresco areas for homes across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland.

Book a free on-site quote 0402 499 810

5.0 on Google
Licence 383930C
10+ years in the trade

Liam Sharpe and his apprentice in Sharpe shirts and tool belts — Pictured: Liam Sharpe and his apprentice

What an alfresco area is

An alfresco area is a covered outdoor room, usually off the kitchen or living room, built under the main roof of the house or a roof that matches it. It has a ceiling, often lights and a fan, and is open on one or more sides, so it works as part of the house in every season.

Alfresco areas sit with the pergolas and covered outdoor areas I build for Newcastle homes. One recent job was the covered outdoor area on a new home, framed under the main roof line.

What our customers say

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tom payne

3 months ago

Really happy with the work from Sharpe Building & Construction. We had a pretty tight timeline, and even when a few unexpected issues came up, they handled everything without any fuss. The job was completed by the deadline, and the whole process was smooth and stress-free. Would definitely recommend them

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you, Tom! We really appreciate your kind words and are glad we could deliver the project on time despite the unexpected challenges. It was a pleasure working with you, and we are thrilled you’re happy with the result. Thank you for choosing Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your recommendation !

Dot Hodder

3 months ago

Thanks Liam. You did a beautiful job of working out what I wanted. My home feels complete with the new additions, plus the pergola. I found you by word of mouth and you certainly didn't disappoint.

Response from the owner3 months ago

Thank you so much, Dot! It was a pleasure working with you and bringing your ideas to life. I’m really glad you’re happy with the end result and that your home feels complete with the new additions and pergola. Thank you for trusting Sharpe Building & Constructions. We truly appreciate your kind words and support!

Renee & Brendon Harley

3 months ago

Needed some windows installed. Easily done, no fuss. Polite crew.

Response from the owner3 days ago

Thanks Renee and Brendon. Glad the new windows went in smoothly. If there is anything else you need done around the house, Sharpe Building & Constructions is happy to help across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Liam

Recent covered outdoor areas

“I still can’t believe how great this is, we have breakfast here most mornings. Liam and Jet have great comradery and work ethics. Liam kept me in the loop as to what to expect, price and time wise, both very reasonable.”
Dorothy Hodder, West Wallsend, on Liam’s Facebook post of her pergola

What alfresco areas do you build?

Under the main roof
On a new home or an extension, the alfresco is framed under the main roof so it reads as part of the house.
Added to an existing home
A new roof off the back of the house, pitched to match, with a lined ceiling.
With a deck
A timber or composite deck as the floor, at the level of the house.
With screens
Timber slat screens to block wind, sun or the neighbours.

What turns a covered area into an outdoor room?

Three things make an alfresco feel like part of the house.

Covered outdoor area under a new home’s roof

A matching roof

A roof pitched and finished to match the house, so it does not look like an add-on.

Covered area with a steel roof and timber posts

A lined ceiling

A ceiling under the roof hides the frame, keeps the space cooler and gives somewhere for lights and a fan.

Privacy

A slat screen on the windy or overlooked side, like the merbau screen at West Wallsend.

Does an alfresco need council approval?

A small, open alfresco can be exempt development under the same NSW rules as decks and pergolas on the NSW Government page on decks and patios:

No more than 25 m², and all decks, patios and pergolas on the block together no more than 15% of the house’s ground floor area.
No part higher than 3 m above the ground.
At least 900 mm from the side and back boundaries, and behind the building line.
No enclosing wall higher than 1.4 m.

An alfresco under the main roof, or one bigger or more enclosed than that, is part of the house and goes through a complying development certificate or a development application with City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland or Cessnock council.

What changes the price of an alfresco area?

Every alfresco is priced on site. These change the cost the most:

Size: The area it covers.
Roof: Tying into the main roof, or a separate roof pitched to match.
Ceiling: A lined ceiling with room for lights and a fan.
Floor: An existing slab, or a new deck.
Screens and approval: Slat screens, and council approval for a bigger alfresco.

The quote is free, and you get the price before any work starts. Residential building work over $5,000 also needs a licensed contractor and a written contract under NSW law, as NSW Fair Trading sets out. Every job over that amount comes with one.

How a alfresco job runs

1Send the job
Use the form or call 0402 499 810. Photos of the spot help.
2Free on-site quote
I come out, look at the house and the space, and give you a price.
3Frame, roof, ceiling
Posts and beams first, then the roof, then the ceiling and screens.
4Walk-through
We look over the finished job together.

Get a free on‑site quote.

Tell me the job and your suburb. I’ll call you to book a time, come out, measure up and give you a price before any work starts. Or call 0402 499 810.

5.0 on Google reviews
Licence 383930C, check it on the NSW register
Free on‑site quote

Questions about alfresco areas

What is the difference between an alfresco and a pergola?

An alfresco is part of the house, under a matching roof with a ceiling. A pergola is a lighter frame, often with an open or sheeted top.

Can you add an alfresco to my existing home?

Yes. A new roof off the back of the house, pitched to match, with a lined ceiling and posts on footings.

Can you put a deck in my alfresco?

Yes. A timber or composite deck at the floor level of the house works well as the floor.

Do you do the electrical?

An electrician fits the lights and fan. I leave the ceiling ready for them.

Is the quote free?

Yes. I come out, measure up and give you a price before any work starts. Call 0402 499 810.

Where do you build alfresco areas?

I’m based at 4 Nightingale Crescent, Cameron Park NSW 2285 and build across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland. There’s no showroom: I come to you to look at the job.

Call 0402 499 810 or email sharpeconstructions@aol.com. Licence 383930C, ABN 27 866 451 671.