How to choose a renovation builder in inner Melbourne

When it comes to renovating a period or character home in inner Melbourne, the builder you choose will shape the outcome more than any other single decision. The design can be excellent, the budget can be realistic, the timeline can be well-planned, but the wrong builder will undermine all of it.

Start with registration. In Victoria, any builder working on domestic projects over $10,000 must hold a Domestic Building Permit. Before progressing with any builder, verify their registration on the Victorian Building Authority register at vba.vic.gov.au.

Ask about their direct involvement. One of the most common complaints in residential construction is the builder who wins the job and then disappears, leaving a project manager or leading hand to run the site. Ask directly: will you be on site during my build? How often? Who is my day-to-day contact?

Look at their portfolio carefully. A builder specialising in period homes, extensions and restorations will have a fundamentally different skill set from one focused on new construction or commercial work. Ask to see projects similar to yours and, where possible, speak to past clients.

Get the contract right. Under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, builders working on projects over $10,000 are required to use a major domestic building contract. Read it carefully and make sure scope, provisional sums, and variations are clearly defined before you sign.

At Kelly Construction Co, we are happy to talk through any of these questions before you commit to anything. An initial conversation costs nothing and often saves considerable time and stress down the track.