Frequently Asked Questions

Start by giving us a call. With combined decades of experience in the building industry across Melbourne and Victoria, you can trust us to give you the best advice and guide you through the entire building or renovation process. We offer free consultations to discuss your project and help you understand the steps involved.

It always pays to get your builder involved early. Simple advice from a licensed builder when making critical decisions like choosing materials, architectural style, plans and design can save a lot of hassle and money later on. We're happy to review plans and provide input even before you've made final decisions.

Only a licensed builder (like Brownlow Building - CDB-U 100870) can provide you comfort in the knowledge that your builder is properly qualified, insured, and offers the protection of consumer-friendly building contracts. Registered builders must meet strict requirements and are held accountable by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). Visit the BPC website at https://www.bpc.vic.gov.au/ to verify any builder's registration.

If you are carrying out building work in Victoria, you may need to apply for a building permit. Examples of work that typically requires a permit include: any structural building work including new buildings, additions, alterations and extensions; plumbing and drainage; heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; retaining walls higher than 1 metre; swimming pools and pool fences; and decks more than 1 metre from ground level. We handle all permit applications on your behalf as part of our service.

Yes! As a licensed builder in Victoria, we provide comprehensive warranties on all our work. From 1 July 2026, Home Warranty replaced Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) for new eligible domestic building work in Victoria, generally applying to eligible contracts valued at more than $20,000. Existing DBI policies continue under the previous scheme. The insurance protects you for non-completion, structural defects and other issues. We also stand behind our work with our own quality guarantee. Learn more about our warranties on our Why Choose Us page.

Yes, warranties and building insurance can generally be transferred to the new home owner. This gives buyers peace of mind and can help add value when selling your home. We provide all necessary documentation to facilitate this transfer.

We recommend entering into a fixed-price building contract which enables you to know exactly what the cost will be and what you will get. We provide detailed quotations with clear breakdowns, and we're transparent about any potential variations. Our team works with you to make smart choices that maximise value without compromising quality.

You pay on a progress payment system as detailed in your building agreement. Payments are made at specific milestones of the project - typically after site preparation, frame stage, lock-up stage, fixing stage, and practical completion. When you receive your contract, we'll provide you with both a payment schedule and construction timeline so you know exactly what to expect and when. Learn more about our transparent process.

We welcome you to make changes to enhance your home. Any requests involving extra labour and/or material costs will be treated as a variation to the contract. All variations will be costed and presented to you for approval before any work begins. We always recommend finalizing decisions before construction to avoid delays and additional costs.

Absolutely. We always endeavour to keep our construction sites safe, secure and as clean as possible. We follow strict safety protocols and comply with all WorkSafe Victoria requirements. We'll ensure the site is properly secured and discuss any safety considerations with you at the beginning of the project.

Project timelines vary depending on the scope of work, weather conditions, and permit approvals. A typical kitchen renovation might take 4-6 weeks, a bathroom 3-4 weeks, and a full home extension 3-6 months. We provide a detailed construction schedule with your quotation and keep you updated on progress throughout. Learn about our detailed process.

We service Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and the Mornington Peninsula. This includes all surrounding suburbs and regional areas. Contact us to confirm we service your specific location.