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Builders in Melbourne 2026, Home Extensions, Renovations, Cost Guide, and How to Find a Licensed Builder Near You

Melbourne builder guide 2026: how much home extensions, period home renovations, and granny flats cost in Melbourne, VBA licence requirements, planning permit rules, and how to get accurate quotes for your Melbourne renovation project.

By Melbourne Daily · Published 3 July 2026, 9:37 pm

1 min read

Updated 8 July 2026, 1:05 am

Builders in Melbourne 2026, Home Extensions, Renovations, Cost Guide, and How to Find a Licensed Builder Near You
Photo: Bernard Spragg / CC CC0 1.0

Builders in Melbourne 2026

Melbourne has a large and highly competitive residential building industry. All domestic building work over $10,000 in Victoria must be performed by a VBA-registered domestic builder. Melbourne's large stock of Victorian, Edwardian, and interwar homes creates significant demand for period-sensitive renovations, rear extensions, and heritage-compliant additions. vba.vic.gov.au

How Much Does a Home Extension Cost in Melbourne 2026?

  • Single-storey rear extension (30sqm, basic), typically $72,000-$128,000 in Melbourne
  • Single-storey rear extension (30sqm, mid-range), typically $122,000-$185,000 in Melbourne
  • Second-storey addition (full floor, approx 100sqm), typically $248,000-$398,000 in Melbourne
  • Granny flat / secondary dwelling (60sqm), typically $138,000-$215,000 in Melbourne
  • Kitchen renovation (mid-range), typically $25,000-$62,000 in Melbourne
  • Bathroom renovation (mid-range), typically $16,000-$38,000 in Melbourne
  • Full home renovation (3-bed home, mid-range), typically $172,000-$358,000 in Melbourne

Heritage Overlays and Extensions in Melbourne

Many Melbourne inner suburbs (Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, Northcote, Brunswick) have heritage overlays requiring council planning permits for external alterations and extensions. Heritage-sensitive extensions typically cost 15-25% more than standard extensions due to materials and design requirements. VBA builder registration required. vba.vic.gov.au

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.

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