An extension, a new kitchen or a bathroom renovation is one of the biggest amounts you’ll spend on your home, so the builder you choose matters. A good one keeps the job on time and on budget and leaves you with work that lasts. Here’s how to choose a builder or renovator in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, and what to check before you sign anything.
Check they’re registered
In Victoria, domestic building work worth more than $10,000 has to be done by a builder registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). Registration is also needed for jobs that need a building permit, such as restumping, reblocking or demolition, whatever they cost. Some single-trade jobs, like painting, tiling or plumbing on its own, don’t need a registered builder, but they still need the right trade licence where one applies.
Look the builder up with the BPC’s Find a Practitioner search and make sure the name and registration number match the ones on the quote and contract. An unregistered builder can leave you without the protections the law gives you.
Use a proper written contract
For any domestic building work worth more than $10,000, the builder must use a major domestic building contract. It should set out the price, what’s included, the plans and specifications, the start and finish dates and how variations will be handled. Read it carefully before you sign, and don’t be rushed. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Domestic Building Consumer Guide explains what to look for, and your builder should give you a copy.
Know about home warranty insurance
For contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026, eligible domestic building work worth more than $20,000 is covered by Home Warranty, provided by the BPC. It replaces domestic building insurance for new work and can help if the work is left incomplete or turns out to be defective. Your registered builder pays the premium, and you should receive a Notice of Cover. Keep it with your contract, plans, permits and invoices.
Get more than one quote
Ask two or three local builders to quote on the same plans. A good quote should spell out:
- exactly what’s included and what isn’t
- materials, fixtures and finishes, including brands where it matters
- who is arranging the building permit, if one is needed
- any allowances (provisional sums or prime cost items) and how they’re calculated
- the expected start date and how long the job will take
The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value. Large allowances can make a quote look lower than it really is, so ask what each one covers.
Look at their past work
Ask to see photos of similar jobs, and if you can, speak to a past client or two. A builder who has done renovations in your area will know the local council requirements and the type of homes in your suburb, from older brick houses in Preston and Reservoir to newer estates in Mernda, Doreen and Wollert.
Make sure the trades are covered
Most renovations involve plumbing and electrical work. Plumbing work worth $750 or more needs a compliance certificate from a licensed plumber, and any electrical installation work needs a Certificate of Electrical Safety from a licensed electrician. Ask your builder who their trades are and make sure you get these certificates at the end of the job. Our guides to choosing a plumber and choosing an electrician cover what to check.
Questions worth asking before you sign
- What’s your BPC registration number, and does it cover this type of work?
- Will you use a major domestic building contract?
- Is the work covered by Home Warranty, and when will I get the Notice of Cover?
- Who is arranging the building permit?
- How do you handle variations and extra costs?
- Who will be on site day to day, and how will you keep me updated?
Find builders and renovators near you
Local Business Near Me lists builders and renovators across Melbourne’s northern suburbs, from Mernda and Doreen to Epping, South Morang and beyond. Pick your suburb, compare local businesses and call them directly. It’s free to use and there’s no middleman taking a cut.
Need another trade? You can also browse plumbers and gasfitters, electricians and flooring and carpets.
