The best builders in Melbourne
Three separate lists of Melbourne builders, each checked against the Building and Plumbing Commission register, and no builder pays to be on them. If you sign a building contract now, Victoria's new Home Warranty insurance applies: it replaced the old scheme for contracts signed from 1 July 2026.
- Registration regulator
- Building and Plumbing Commission
- Registered builder needed over
- $10,000
- Home Warranty needed over
- $20,000
- Maximum deposit, contracts $20,000+
- 5%
- Average new house cost (VIC)
- $1,914 per sqm
Choose the kind of builder you need
Each list is researched separately, so a great renovation builder isn't padded onto the new home list.
Renovation builders in Melbourne
Extensions, second storeys, raise and build under, and whole-house renovations.
See all 10New home builders in Melbourne
Custom and project homes, knockdown rebuilds and builds on tricky blocks.
See all 10Commercial builders in Melbourne
Fitouts, retail, medical, industrial and small multi-residential projects.
See all 10What building costs in Melbourne
Construction costs only. None of these figures include land.
| Project | Indicative cost | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|
| Ground floor extension | $2,000 to $4,000 per sqm | National consumer guide (indicative). A Melbourne guide puts it at $2,500 to $5,000 per sqm including GST. |
| Second storey addition | $200,000 to $450,000 | National consumer guide, typical total. Indicative. |
| Kitchen renovation, mid-range | $26,250 to $47,250 | Melbourne consumer guide, typically $36,750. Includes GST. |
| Bathroom renovation, mid-range | $21,000 to $36,750 | Melbourne consumer guide, typically $28,350. Includes GST. |
| New house, average | $1,914 per sqm | Victorian average for new detached houses in 2024-25 (ABS data). Statewide. |
| New house, custom or architectural | $2,700 to $6,900 per sqm | RLB Melbourne rate, excludes GST, site works and fees. |
| Office fitout | $1,440 to $5,500 per sqm | RLB Melbourne rate, excludes GST. |
| Warehouse or industrial | $1,160 to $1,740 per sqm | RLB Melbourne rate, single storey, excludes GST. |
Victoria's average new house cost per square metre is below the national average of $1,967, though Victorian new homes are bigger than average (253.5 sqm against 241.5 sqm nationally), so the total bill isn't small. Custom work is a different story: RLB's Melbourne range for architectural homes tops out at $6,900 per sqm. RLB put Melbourne tender price growth at 4% in 2025 and forecasts the same for 2026.
Consumer guide figures are indicative. RLB rates exclude GST, land, site works and professional fees.
Compare renovation builders in Melbourne, new home builders in Melbourne and commercial builders in Melbourne, or read our building costs guide.
Approvals in Melbourne
In Victoria the key approval is a building permit, issued by a registered building surveyor. That can be a private building surveyor or the council's municipal building surveyor. You appoint the private surveyor, not your builder; Victorian law doesn't let a builder appoint one on your behalf.
If your project also needs a planning permit, that comes from council first, before the building permit. Greater Melbourne is spread across many councils and the City of Melbourne is only one of them, so check which council's planning scheme applies to your address.
Home Warranty and contracts in Victoria
The rules changed on 1 July 2026.
For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026, Victoria's Home Warranty insurance, run by the Building and Plumbing Commission, replaced domestic building insurance (DBI). Three things changed:
- It is now first resort cover. You can claim when the builder can't or won't fix or finish the work after being asked, not only when they have died, disappeared or gone broke.
- The threshold rose from $16,000 to $20,000, for homes of 3 storeys or less.
- Maximum cover rose from $300,000 to $400,000 per home (major defects up to 6 years, other defects up to 2 years).
The builder takes out the cover and pays the premium on your behalf after the contract is signed, and you get a notice of cover. Contracts signed before 1 July 2026 stay under the old DBI rules.
- Contract: a major domestic building contract is required for work over $10,000 that involves more than one trade.
- Deposit: 10% for contracts under $20,000, 5% for $20,000 or more.
- Progress payments are fixed by law for a full build: base 10%, frame 15%, lock-up 35%, fixing 25%, balance at completion.
- Cooling-off: 5 business days after you receive a signed copy, unless you got legal advice before signing.
- Disputes go to free BPC Dispute Resolution before VCAT.
More in our home warranty insurance guide.
Checking a Victorian builder's registration
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
Check registration is current
In Victoria builders are registered rather than licensed. The registration should show as current.
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.
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
Building in Melbourne: common questions
How much does it cost to build a house in Melbourne?
The Victorian average for a new detached house in 2024-25 was $1,914 per square metre (ABS data), about $485,000 for a 254 sqm home, before land. Custom and architectural homes run $2,700 to $6,900 per sqm on RLB's Melbourne rates.
What changed with home warranty insurance in Victoria in 2026?
For contracts signed from 1 July 2026, first resort Home Warranty insurance run by the BPC replaced domestic building insurance. The threshold rose to $20,000 and maximum cover to $400,000 per home.
What is the maximum deposit a builder can take in Victoria?
5% for contracts of $20,000 or more, and 10% for contracts under $20,000.
Do I need a registered builder for a renovation in Victoria?
Yes, for domestic building work worth more than $10,000, except single trade jobs such as painting or tiling. Reblocking, restumping, demolition and removal of a home need a registered builder at any value.
What are the standard progress payments in Victoria?
For a contract covering all stages: base 10%, frame 15%, lock-up 35%, fixing 25%, and the balance at completion. A different schedule needs legal advice.
Who replaced the VBA in Victoria?
The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) replaced the Victorian Building Authority on 1 July 2025. It also took over domestic building dispute resolution and the domestic building insurance arm of the VMIA.
Ready to talk to builders?
One form, up to three builders that suit your project.
Sources
- BPC practitioner search (BAMS)
- BPC: Find and check a practitioner
- BPC: New BPC putting consumers first from day one
- BPC: Domestic builder classes
- BPC: Home Warranty
- BPC: Dispute resolution
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: About builders, tradespeople and other building practitioners
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Building contracts
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Deposits and payments for building work
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Cooling off on a building contract
- Consumer Affairs Victoria: Building plans and permits
- Master Builders NSW: Cost of constructing Australian homes (ABS data, 2024-25)
- RLB Riders Digest 2026, Melbourne
- hipages: How much do house extensions cost?
- hipages: How much does a second storey addition cost?
- What's The Damage: Kitchen renovation cost Melbourne
- What's The Damage: Bathroom renovation cost Melbourne