The Best Builders
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Sydney
Melbourne
Perth
Adelaide
Canberra
Hobart
Darwin
Guides How we choose Get builder quotes

The 10 best commercial builders in Melbourne

Melbourne builders for commercial projects of roughly $500,000 to $50 million: office and clinic fitouts, retail and hospitality, warehouses and small apartment or townhouse developments. Not the tier-one contractors. Every builder's registration was checked with the Building and Plumbing Commission.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
10
Licences confirmed on the register
10 of 10
Average Google rating
4.2
Google reviews, combined
99
Builders paying to be here
None
  • LicenceA current BPC builder licence, matched to the business.
  • ReputationIndependent reviews, awards and years trading.
  • Right kind of workCommercial fitouts, new builds or small multi-residential work shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

Commercial builders in Melbourne, ranked

These builders show finished commercial work at this scale on their own sites. They're ranked on fit for that work, reputation and track record.

  1. 1

    Constructive Group

    Prahran. Victoria, with offices in Melbourne and Geelong

    3.7 from 11 Google reviews

    Best for Clinics, childcare and community buildings

    • Twenty years in Victorian commercial building, with 300 plus projects, it says.
    • 2024 Master Builders Victoria winner for an orthodontic clinic.
    • 2026 Master Builders Victoria winner for a community sports pavilion.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 57468 Checked
    Building since
    2006
    Builds
    Medical, Education, Fitouts, Aged care, Community
    More about Constructive Group

    Constructive Group was founded in 2006 by Richard Harris and works from offices in Prahran and North Geelong. It builds medical clinics, childcare centres, schools, sports pavilions, social housing, aged care and commercial fitouts, and says it has completed more than 300 projects.

    Recent work includes the Mt Waverley Reserve Pavilion, an orthodontic clinic in Chadstone and several kindergartens and community centres. The firm publishes its insurance, quality, safety and sustainability policies on its website. It won Master Builders Victoria categories in 2024 for a clinic and in 2026 for a community facility.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Excellence in Construction of Community Facility, winner; 2024 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $3M to $5M, winner

    03 9533 8563Visit website
  2. 2

    McCorkell Constructions

    Richmond. Victoria and Western Australia

    4.0 from 7 Google reviews

    Best for Schools, heritage and live-site projects

    • Family-owned builder operating since 1928.
    • Specialises in occupied sites, restricted access and heritage work.
    • Multiple Master Builders Victoria awards from 2024 to 2026.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 62810 Checked
    Building since
    1928
    Builds
    Education, Heritage, Hospitality, Community, Fitouts
    More about McCorkell Constructions

    McCorkell is a third generation family business that has been building since 1928, with offices in Richmond and Perth. It concentrates on education, government, council and heritage projects, and says it specialises in live environments, restricted access sites and technically complex jobs.

    Services include construct only and design and construct contracts, early contractor involvement, adaptive re-use, refurbishment and fitout. The firm holds ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification. Recent Victorian awards include the 2024 Master Builders Victoria commercial category win for Queen's Food Hall and a 2025 sustainability award for the Berninneit cultural centre.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Best Sustainable Project over $30M, winner; 2024 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $5M to $10M, winner; 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $20M to $50M, special commendation

    03 9243 6000Visit website
  3. 3

    Newpol Construction

    Hawthorn East. Melbourne and Victoria

    4.3 from 6 Google reviews

    Best for School, health and aged care buildings

    • Won a 2026 Master Builders Victoria commercial building category.
    • Describes itself as a specialist in occupied, live environments.
    • Independently certified safety, quality and environmental systems.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 56930 Checked
    Building since
    2012
    Builds
    Education, Aged care, Medical, Community, Fitouts
    Member of
    Master Builders Victoria, Australian Institute of Building
    More about Newpol Construction

    Newpol was founded in 2012 by directors Alastair Grant and Lukas Konieczny and now employs about 60 people from Hawthorn East. Its work spans education, aged care, health, community, sport and recreation and commercial projects, with many repeat clients among schools, councils and health providers.

    The firm says it specialises in live environments, where buildings stay occupied during works. It holds independently audited safety, quality and environmental management systems and is a member of Master Builders Victoria and the Australian Institute of Building. Its Avila College project won a 2026 Master Builders Victoria commercial category.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $5M to $10M, winner; 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $10M to $20M, special commendation; 2024 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $15M to $20M, special commendation

    03 9822 9130Visit website

  4. Get quotes from local builders

    Tell us about your project and we will pass it to up to three builders that suit it. Free, and no obligation.

    We share your details only with the builders we match you with, so they can contact you about a quote. See our privacy policy.

  5. 4

    2Construct

    Balaclava. Melbourne and regional Victoria

    Best for Schools, industrial and civic projects

    • Building in Victoria since 2004, with more than 500 projects completed, it says.
    • Pre-qualified on the Victorian Government Construction Supplier Register.
    • Handles building, landscape and civil works within one contract.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 60912 Checked
    Building since
    2004
    Builds
    Education, Industrial, Community, Fitouts
    More about 2Construct

    2Construct was founded in 2004 by Duncan McPherson OAM and Peter Rahilly and now has more than 70 staff in Balaclava. It combines building, civic landscape and civil construction, so one contractor can deliver a school building, its car park and its surrounds.

    Sectors include education, industrial and logistics, automotive, sport and recreation, community and defence. It says it has completed more than 500 projects and is pre-qualified on the Victorian Government Construction Supplier Register. It holds ISO 9001 and 14001 certification. Its Aboriginal Gathering Place in South Morang received a 2026 Master Builders Victoria commendation.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $5M to $10M, special commendation; 2021 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $3M to $5M, Edithvale Life Saving Club (according to the firm)

    03 9519 0333Visit website
  6. 5

    AMS Constructions

    Preston. Melbourne

    3.5 from 11 Google reviews

    Best for Retail, food outlet and warehouse builds

    • Regular builder for national retail and food brands, according to client testimonials.
    • Offers lump sum, design and construct and guaranteed maximum price contracts.
    • 2026 Master Builders Victoria winner for a Roxburgh Park restaurant.
    BPC registration
    CCB-L 63063 Checked
    Building since
    2015
    Builds
    Retail, Hospitality, Industrial, Fitouts
    More about AMS Constructions

    AMS Constructions began full commercial operations in 2015 and is a family-owned Preston business, with a founder who has worked in construction for more than four decades. It builds retail and mixed use centres, fast food outlets, clubs and warehouses, plus alterations and fitouts.

    The firm offers several contract types, including fixed lump sum, design and construct, construction management and guaranteed maximum price, along with early feasibility advice. Testimonials on its site come from development managers at major retail and food chains. Its Nando's in Roxburgh Park won a 2026 Master Builders Victoria commercial category.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings under $5M, winner

    03 9462 9707Visit website
  7. 6

    Figurehead Construction

    Collingwood. Melbourne

    3.6 from 18 Google reviews

    Best for Mid-size apartment and office buildings

    • 2025 Master Builders Victoria winner for the 116 Rokeby office building.
    • Says 70 per cent of its work comes from repeat clients.
    • Runs a separate boutique arm, Flux, for smaller projects.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 61225 Checked
    Building since
    2007
    Builds
    Multi-residential, Fitouts, Education, Aged care
    More about Figurehead Construction

    Figurehead was founded in 2007 to bring tier one structure and discipline to mid-market multi-residential projects. From Collingwood it now works across apartments, townhouses, offices, education and aged care, and says it has completed more than 90 builds with 70 per cent repeat clients.

    Smaller specialist jobs run under its Flux brand. The firm's 116 Rokeby office building in Collingwood won a 2025 Master Builders Victoria commercial category, and its Decjuba head office won a 2024 sustainability award. It also has multi-unit housing awards from Master Builders Victoria.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $20M to $30M, winner; 2024 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Best Sustainable Project under $30M, winner

    03 8592 6310Visit website
  8. 7

    McCormack

    Melbourne CBD. Melbourne and Brisbane

    4.9 from 19 Google reviews

    Best for Office fitouts and building refurbishments

    • Family-owned fitout and refurbishment specialist, it says.
    • Employs most of its delivery team in-house rather than subcontracting.
    • 2024 Master Builders Victoria commendation for a large office fitout.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 63124 Checked
    Builds
    Fitouts, Heritage, Medical, Hospitality
    More about McCormack

    McCormack describes itself as a family-owned fitout and building services company, with offices in Melbourne's CBD and Brisbane. Its main work is office fitouts and refurbishments, base building upgrades, tenancy alterations and heritage restoration, along with some new construction and design and construct jobs.

    It works across commercial, education, government, health, hospitality and industrial clients. The firm says it employs most of its people in-house so one team handles the brief from start to finish. Its Cornwalls fitout received a 2024 Master Builders Victoria special commendation.

    Awards: 2024 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Excellence in Fitout $5M to $10M, special commendation

    03 9427 6000Visit website
  9. 8

    Clinics by Design

    Moorabbin. Melbourne, plus some projects in Adelaide

    5.0 from 20 Google reviews

    Best for Medical, dental and vet clinic design and build

    • Healthcare specialist holding an unlimited commercial builder registration.
    • Says it has completed more than 200 healthcare builds and fitouts.
    • Runs design, permits and construction in house and employs its own carpenters, the firm says.
    • Says over 80 per cent of its work comes from client referrals.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 53407 Checked
    Builds
    Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Fitouts, Design and construct
    More about Clinics by Design

    Clinics by Design designs, builds and fits out medical, dental, veterinary, allied health and radiology clinics. Its project list covers GP clinics, specialist rooms and animal hospitals across Melbourne, from small suites to veterinary hospitals of more than 600 square metres. Director Neale Cooper has been a registered commercial builder in Victoria since 1996.

    According to the firm, it runs design, permits and construction in house and employs its own carpenters, bringing in licensed electricians and plumbers. It quotes from itemised materials and labour rather than square metre rates, and offers a warranty period from the date of occupancy.

    03 9532 0350Visit website
  10. 9

    Turn Group

    Burnley. Melbourne

    5.0 from 7 Google reviews

    Best for Smaller architect-led commercial and medical builds

    • Won a 2025 Master Builders Victoria commercial building category.
    • Directors each bring more than 15 years of building experience.
    • Won Master Builders Victoria's 2026 health and safety award.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 100077 Checked
    Building since
    2022
    Builds
    Medical, Fitouts, Hospitality
    More about Turn Group

    Turn Group is a Burnley builder led by directors Harry Baylis and Lachlan Macleod, each with more than 15 years in construction. Harry spent ten years with tier one builders on hotels, health, education and fitouts, and holds an unlimited commercial registration.

    The firm works with clients, architects and designers from early design through to completion, on both commercial and high-end residential projects. Its Theatre Works project won a 2025 Master Builders Victoria commercial category, and its Buckley Medical Centre in Moonee Ponds received a 2026 commendation.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings under $3M, winner; 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings under $5M, special commendation; 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Housing Awards: Excellence in Health and Safety, winner

    03 9361 7188Visit website
  11. 10

    Murwil Construction

    Armadale. Melbourne

    Best for Low-rise apartment and healthcare projects

    • Won the 2026 Master Builders Victoria low-rise apartment category.
    • Offers early contractor involvement and design management services.
    • Directors are personally involved in every project, the firm says.
    BPC registration
    CCB-U 69417 Checked
    Building since
    2021
    Builds
    Multi-residential, Medical, Education, Industrial
    More about Murwil Construction

    Murwil Construction is an Armadale builder registered in both unlimited commercial and unlimited domestic classes. It works mainly on multi-residential, health, institutional and commercial projects, with some industrial, recreational and education work.

    The firm offers early contractor involvement, including buildability, cost planning and programming advice, design management and head contractor delivery. Directors Adam and James are involved in every job, according to the firm, and it runs an integrated management system to track projects. Its Ivanhoe Parade apartments won the 2026 Master Builders Victoria low-rise apartment category.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards: Excellence in Lowrise Apartment Buildings, winner

    03 9509 8402Visit website

Commercial building costs in Melbourne

Rates per square metre. RLB recorded 4.0% tender price growth in Melbourne in 2025 and expects the same in 2026.

WorkTypical cost
Office fitout, open plan to fully partitioned$1,440 to $5,500 per sqm
Retail, small shops and showrooms$2,300 to $2,950 per sqm
Warehouse, single storey$1,160 to $1,740 per sqm
Medical clinic fitout in an existing shell (national, indicative)$1,500 to $3,000 per sqm

Office, retail and warehouse rates are from the RLB Riders Digest 2026 for Melbourne, priced at the end of 2025. They exclude GST, land, site works and professional fees. The warehouse rate is for a 4,500 sqm single storey shed without attached offices. The medical figure is a national MedicalSearch range (July 2026), indicative only.

Choosing a delivery method and contract in Melbourne

How you buy the job matters as much as who builds it.

At this scale Melbourne owners usually pick one of three routes.

  • Construct only. Your architect and engineers finish the design and builders price the same set of drawings. Easiest to compare. Anything missing from the design is your risk and comes back as a variation.
  • Design and construct. The builder develops the design, often from your concept or a planning approval, and gives one price. One party answers for design and build, but the builder will choose the cheapest way to meet your brief unless the brief is specific.
  • Early contractor involvement. You pay a builder to join during design, test buildability and cost as the drawings develop, then negotiate the build contract. Good for old buildings and tight programs. You give up a clean competitive tender.

Standard contracts

Use an industry standard form, amended by a construction lawyer, rather than the builder's own terms. Standards Australia published AS 4000:2025 in June 2025; it supersedes AS 2124-1992 and updates AS 4000-1997. AS 4902-2000 is still the current design and construct form, with a review planned. Where an architect administers the contract, the ABIC contracts from Master Builders Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects (MW-2018 for larger jobs, SW-2018 for simpler ones) come in a version for each state and territory. Ask for the Victorian version, and have a lawyer check the special conditions.

Tender or negotiate

Tendering to three to five builders on finished drawings gives you a real market test. A negotiated deal can make sense for a fitout under a lease deadline, or when you already trust a builder, but get an independent quantity surveyor to review it. See our fixed price vs cost plus guide.

Permits and registration for commercial work in Melbourne

Planning permit from council first, if one is needed. Then a building permit from a registered building surveyor.

Consumer Affairs Victoria says that where a planning permit is needed, you must get it from council before a building permit can issue. Check the zone and overlays on your site early, especially for a change of use. The building permit comes from a registered building surveyor, either a private surveyor or the council's municipal building surveyor. When the work is done, the surveyor issues an occupancy permit, the last step in the permit process.

A building surveyor checks the work meets the building regulations. It doesn't check that the builder delivered what your contract says. On a large job, an independent consultant or superintendent does that for you.

Which BPC registration

Since 1 July 2025 builders are registered by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC), which replaced the Victorian Building Authority. Commercial building work covers class 2 to 9 buildings and class 10b structures not associated with a home. Look for:

  • Commercial Builder (Unlimited): all commercial building work.
  • Commercial Builder (Limited): restricted to specific work, such as low-rise buildings.

If your project is a small townhouse development, the work may be domestic building work instead, which needs a Domestic Builder registration and brings in Home Warranty cover. Check the class on the BPC search; our licence check guide shows how.

How to choose a commercial builder in Melbourne

  • Matching experience. Ask for recent jobs of the same type and value, and visit one. A builder that runs medical fitouts well knows infection control, lead-lined rooms and services coordination. A warehouse builder may not.
  • Financial capacity. Ask for financial statements or a credit report, annual turnover and current commitments. Be wary if your job would be a large share of the builder's year.
  • Security of payment. Victoria's Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 was overhauled from 15 April 2026 by the Fairer Payments on Jobsites Act 2025. Among other changes, the old 'excluded amounts' limits on what can go in a payment claim are gone. Owners and builders both need to answer claims on time.
  • Insurance. Ask for certificates of currency for contract works, public liability and WorkCover, in the contracting entity's name.
  • References. Speak to past clients and a subcontractor. Use our questions to ask a builder.

Checking a Victorian builder's registration

It takes a couple of minutes, and it's the same check we ran for every builder above.

  1. Search the BPC practitioner register

    Search by name, business name, registration number, location or type of work. The search still runs on the old VBA web address; that is expected. BPC practitioner search

  2. Check registration is current

    In Victoria builders are registered rather than licensed. The registration should show as current.

  3. Check the class fits the job

    For a new home or major renovation you want Domestic Builder (Unlimited), or a limited class that matches the specific work. Commercial jobs need a Commercial Builder class.

  4. Check for conditions and discipline

    Look for conditions or limits on the registration and search the BPC's compliance and enforcement register. Then make sure the registered name matches the builder on your contract. An unregistered builder can't get Home Warranty insurance for you. BPC: find and check a practitioner

How we chose these builders

We started from builders working across Melbourne, then kept only those with a current BPC licence, a clear record of commercial work on their own site, and a solid independent reputation. Order weighs fit for this kind of project, reviews and awards, years trading, and how openly each builder explains its process, licence and warranty. Size and advertising spend don't count.

No builder pays to be listed or ranked. If you request quotes through this page, we pass your project to builders that suit it. Read the full method.

Commercial builders in Melbourne: common questions

How much does an office fitout cost per square metre in Melbourne?

RLB's 2026 Melbourne figures put a good quality office fitout at $1,440 to $5,500 per sqm, excluding GST, including workstations and loose furniture. The bottom of the range is open plan; the top is a fully partitioned fitout for a law or finance firm.

What registration does a commercial builder need in Victoria?

BPC registration as a Commercial Builder (Unlimited), or a Commercial Builder (Limited) class that matches the work, such as low-rise buildings. Commercial building work covers class 2 to 9 buildings and some class 10b structures. Check it on the BPC practitioner search.

Do I need a planning permit as well as a building permit?

Sometimes. Council decides whether a planning permit is needed, for example for a change of use or works in an overlay. If it is, you need it before the building surveyor can issue a building permit.

How long do I have to answer a payment claim in Victoria?

If you want to pay less than claimed, serve a payment schedule within 10 business days of receiving the claim, or sooner if the contract requires, stating the amount and your reasons. If you don't, you become liable for the full claimed amount on the due date.

What changed in Victoria's security of payment law in 2026?

Amendments from the Building Legislation Amendment (Fairer Payments on Jobsites and Other Matters) Act 2025 started on 15 April 2026. They removed the 'excluded amounts' rules and changed due dates and payment schedule requirements. The Act has transitional rules for contracts signed before that date, so ask your lawyer which version applies to yours.

Is there home warranty insurance on a commercial job in Melbourne?

Home Warranty covers domestic building work over $20,000 on homes of 3 storeys or less, for contracts signed from 1 July 2026. A purely commercial job isn't covered, so your protection is the contract, its securities and the builder's finances.

This list is a guide only. Check the builder's licence, insurance and contract yourself before you sign.