Compact · Units & courtyards
The Window Catio
A neat enclosed box off a window or sliding door. Perfect where space is tight but your cat still wants a sunny perch.
Melbourne's custom catio builder
The great outdoors, without the great escape.
Carl designs and builds custom catios that attach right to your home — safe, sunny outdoor rooms where your cat can climb, sunbake and watch the world go by. Fresh air for them, peace of mind for you.
Solid timber buildsFully escape-proofCouncil-containment friendlyMelbourne-wide
Why build a catio
Everything cats love about outside. None of what you worry about.
Indoor cats live longer — but they miss out on sun, breeze and the daily drama of the backyard. A catio gives them both.
Safe outdoor access
No roads, no fights, no fences to leap. Your cat gets the outdoors while staying firmly on your property.
Kinder to local wildlife
A fully enclosed run keeps native birds and lizards off the menu — and keeps you on the right side of council cat rules.
Built to fit your home
Every catio is measured and designed around your windows, doors and yard. No off-the-shelf boxes.
Proper carpentry
Solid framing and quality mesh that shrug off Melbourne weather and the most enthusiastic climbers.
The whole idea
Happy cats — safely outside.
Catio styles
From a sunny window box to a walk-in wonderland.
Whatever your space — courtyard unit or quarter-acre block — there's a catio that fits. Here are the three Carl builds most.
Connected · Yards & gardens
The Garden Run
A tunnel or run linking the house to a sunny corner of the yard. Gives your cat a proper patrol route, all enclosed.
Spacious · Multi-cat homes
The Walk-in Enclosure
A full room you can step into — shelves, ramps, hidey-holes and room for several cats. The premium outdoor lounge.
How it works
Three steps from idea to happy cat.
1
Chat & site visit
Tell Carl about your cats and your space. He'll come out, measure up and talk through what'll work best for your home.
2
Custom design & fixed quote
You get a design tailored to your windows, doors and yard — plus a clear, fixed-price quote with no surprises.
3
Build, install & move in
Carl builds and installs it cleanly, tidies up after himself, and shows your cat the way out. Sunbaking commences.
Good questions
The things people ask before they build.
How much does a catio cost?
Every catio is custom, so the price depends on size, complexity and how it connects to your home. A compact window catio is a modest job; a walk-in enclosure is a bigger build. Carl gives you a fixed-price quote after the site visit — you'll know the number before anything starts.
Do I need a council permit?
Most modest catios don't need a permit, but it can depend on the size and where it sits on your block, and rules vary between councils. Carl will flag anything to check during the site visit so there are no nasty surprises. (Final say always rests with your local council.)
How does it connect to my house?
Usually through an existing window, door or a cat flap, so your cat can come and go on their own terms. If you don't have a cat door yet, Carl can sort that as part of the build.
Is it really escape-proof?
That's the whole point. Catios use heavy-duty mesh on a solid frame, sealed at every join, with no gaps a determined cat can squeeze or climb through. Built to keep your cat in and other animals out.
How long does the build take?
Once the design's locked in, most catios go up in a day or two on site. Lead time before that depends on Carl's current schedule — get in touch for current availability.
Get a free quote
Let's build your cat a better view.
Tell Carl a bit about your cats and your space. He'll be in touch to book a no-obligation site visit and quote.
Call or text 04XX XXX XXX
hello@thecatiocarpenter.com.au
Serving greater Melbourne