How much does a kitchen renovation cost in Melbourne's northern suburbs?

Kitchen renovations in suburbs like Brunswick, Reservoir and Preston typically range from $15,000 for a cosmetic refresh to $60,000+ for a full structural renovation with new cabinetry, benchtops, splashback and appliances. We collect quotes from multiple local tradies so you can compare real prices side by side.

Are the builders and tradies VBA registered?

Yes. Every tradie we connect you with holds a current Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registration. We don't list unlicensed operators. You can also verify any tradie's licence yourself at vba.vic.gov.au before signing anything.

Will I get cold-called by random tradies after submitting my details?

No. Your details are only shared with tradies who are a genuine match for your job and suburb. We don't sell your information to lead brokers or third-party lists. You choose who to engage — nothing gets passed on without your knowledge.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?

A basic bathroom renovation runs from around $8,000–$15,000. A full wet area renovation with new tiles, plumbing, waterproofing and fixtures is typically $18,000–$35,000. Getting at least two or three quotes is essential — and that's exactly what we help you do.

Do I need a building permit for a home extension in Victoria?

Most extensions over 10m² require a building permit in Victoria. Your builder is legally required to obtain it before work starts. The tradies we work with handle permits as part of the job.

How long does a kitchen or bathroom renovation actually take?

A bathroom typically takes 2–4 weeks once trades are booked. A kitchen runs 3–6 weeks depending on whether cabinetry is custom or flatpack. Extensions vary widely — a single-storey rear extension might be 10–16 weeks from permit to completion.

What areas in Melbourne do you cover?

We focus on Melbourne's northern suburbs — Brunswick, Coburg, Preston, Reservoir, Thornbury, Northcote, Bundoora, Lalor, Pascoe Vale, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Oak Park, Glenroy, Hadfield, Fawkner, Broadmeadows, Tullamarine, Gladstone Park, Mill Park, Thomastown, Greensborough, Eltham, Fitzroy North and Diamond Creek.

Is it actually free to get quotes through Melb Renovations?

Yes — completely free for homeowners. You describe your project, we match you with vetted local tradies, they quote you directly. You're under no obligation to accept any quote. We're paid by the tradies, not you.

How to Choose a Renovation Builder in Melbourne

Finding a good tradie in Melbourne can feel like a lottery. Stories of shoddy workmanship, blown budgets and disappearing contractors are unfortunately common — and the financial and emotional cost of a bad renovation experience can be significant.

But with the right approach, you can dramatically reduce your risk. This guide walks you through exactly how to find, vet and choose a reliable renovation tradie in Melbourne's northern suburbs — and the red flags that should make you walk away before you sign anything.

Choosing a qualified renovation tradie in Melbourne for home improvement projects

Step 1: Verify Their VBA Licence

Any tradie carrying out structural, plumbing or electrical work in Victoria must hold the appropriate licence issued by the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). This is not optional — it's the law.

How to check:

Ask the tradie for their VBA licence number
Go to vba.vic.gov.au
Search by licence number or business name
Confirm the licence is current, not expired or suspended, and covers the type of work you need

Licence types to know:

Domestic Builder (Unlimited): Can carry out all residential building work
Domestic Builder (Limited): Can only carry out specific types of work — check what's covered
Registered Plumber: Required for all plumbing work
Licensed Electrician: Required for all electrical work

Never hire a tradie who can't or won't provide a VBA licence number. There is no legitimate reason for a licensed tradie to refuse this.

Step 2: Confirm They Have Insurance

A VBA licence alone is not enough. Your tradie must also carry:

Public liability insurance — covers damage to your property or injury to third parties during the work. The minimum you should accept is $5 million in coverage. Ask to see the certificate of currency, not just a verbal assurance.

Domestic building insurance (for projects over

6,000) — also known as builder's warranty insurance. In Victoria, this is mandatory for any domestic building work over

6,000 and must be taken out before work begins. It protects you if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent before completing the work. Ask for the certificate before signing any contract.

If a tradie is reluctant to provide proof of insurance, walk away.

Step 3: Look at Their Previous Work

A reputable tradie will be happy to show you photos of previous projects — preferably in suburbs similar to yours. Even better, ask if they can put you in touch with a recent client for a reference.

What to ask a reference:

Did the job come in on budget?
Was it completed on time?
How did they handle problems or unexpected issues?
Would you use them again?
Were they easy to communicate with throughout the project?

Real photos of real projects in suburbs like Coburg, Pascoe Vale and Essendon tell you far more than a polished website or a quote that sounds too good to be true.

Red flag: A tradie who can only show you renders or stock photos, or who becomes evasive when asked for references, is someone to avoid.

Step 4: Get At Least Three Written Quotes

Never accept the first quote you receive. Getting three quotes gives you a realistic sense of market rate and helps you identify outliers — both suspiciously cheap quotes that may signal cut corners, and inflated quotes that don't represent value.

Make sure all quotes cover the same scope. Ask each tradie to quote on identical specifications — same materials, same scope of work, same inclusions. If one tradie is significantly cheaper, find out exactly why before assuming it's a good deal.

What a proper quote should include:

Detailed scope of work (room by room, item by item)
Materials to be used including brands and specifications
Project timeline with start and estimated completion date
Payment schedule (never pay everything upfront)
Any exclusions — what's NOT included in the price
How variations will be handled if the scope changes

If a tradie hands you a one-line quote with a number on it, that's not a quote — it's a guess. Don't accept it.

Trusted renovation tradies serving Melbourne's northern suburbs on a job site

Step 5: Read Reviews — and How They Respond to Negative Ones

Google reviews, ProductReview and word of mouth from neighbours and friends are your best sources of honest feedback. But don't just read the star rating — read the actual reviews.

What to look for:

Specific detail about the quality of work and communication
Reviews that mention suburbs near yours (local tradies know local conditions)
How the tradie responds to negative reviews — a professional, accountable response to a complaint tells you a great deal about how they handle problems

Red flags in reviews:

A sudden cluster of 5-star reviews with no detail (often fake)
No response to negative reviews
Defensive or aggressive responses to complaints
Reviews that all sound identical

Step 6: Understand the Contract Before You Sign

Never start a renovation without a written contract. For any job over

0,000 in Victoria, a written contract is legally required under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995.

Your contract must include:

The full scope of work
The total price or how it will be calculated
A payment schedule
The start date and estimated completion date
A list of all prime cost and provisional sum items
Warranty information
How disputes will be resolved

Never sign a contract that:

Asks for more than 10% deposit upfront (for jobs under

0,000) or 5% (for jobs over

0,000) — these are the legal limits in Victoria

Has blank spaces or vague descriptions of work

Doesn't include a cooling off period

Pressures you to sign immediately

If you're unsure about contract terms, you can seek advice from Consumer Affairs Victoria before signing.

Step 7: Communicate Clearly From the Start

The best tradie relationships are built on clear communication. Before work starts, make sure you've agreed on:

How you'll communicate — phone, email, site meetings?
How often you'll get progress updates
How variations will be handled — any change to scope should be documented in writing with a cost before work proceeds
What happens if there are delays
Site access and working hours

Renovation disputes most often come down to miscommunication about scope, changes and expectations. Get everything in writing.

Experienced Melbourne renovation tradie with tool belt and hammer on site

Red Flags: Walk Away If You See These

Asks for more than 10% deposit before work starts
Can't provide a VBA licence number or proof of insurance
Pressures you to sign quickly or says the price is only available today
Won't provide a written quote or contract
Has no verifiable reviews or references
Is vague about timelines, inclusions or what's excluded
Suggests skipping permits to save money
Communicates poorly or takes days to respond during the quoting stage — this will only get worse once they have your money

Renovation Tradie Red Flags by Trade

Builders: No Domestic Builder licence, no domestic building insurance for projects over

6,000, asking for large deposits before work begins.

Plumbers: Not registered with the VBA, won't provide compliance certificates for completed work, no public liability insurance.

Electricians: Not licensed, won't provide a Certificate of Electrical Safety on completion — this is legally required for all electrical work in Victoria.

Tilers: No waterproofing licence for wet area work (bathroom and laundry tiling requires waterproofing by a licensed waterproofer first), won't provide waterproofing inspection certificates.

Suburb-Specific Considerations for Melbourne's North

Heritage overlay suburbs (Brunswick, Northcote, Fitzroy North, parts of Essendon): Make sure your builder has experience with heritage properties and understands permit requirements in your specific council area.

Older homes (pre-1980 across Coburg, Preston, Reservoir, Pascoe Vale): Look for builders experienced with brick veneer and weatherboard construction, and who understand how to identify and manage asbestos-containing materials, which are common in pre-1990 Melbourne homes.

Newer estates (Bundoora, Mill Park, South Morang): Builders experienced with volume construction may be more competitive on price, but check they have experience with bespoke renovation work — not all volume builders do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a tradie is licensed in Victoria?

Go to vba.vic.gov.au and search by licence number or business name. You can verify whether the licence is current, what type of work it covers, and whether there are any conditions or suspensions on it.

How much deposit should I pay a tradie upfront?

Under Victorian law, for jobs under

0,000 the maximum deposit is 10% of the contract price. For jobs over

0,000 the maximum is 5%. Be wary of any tradie who asks for more before work has started — this is illegal and a significant red flag.

What should a renovation quote include?

A proper quote should include a detailed scope of work, materials and specifications, project timeline, payment schedule, and all exclusions. Always get it in writing. A verbal quote is not a quote.

What is domestic building insurance and do I need it?

Domestic building insurance (also called builder's warranty insurance) is mandatory in Victoria for any building work over

6,000. It's taken out by the builder in your name and protects you if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent. Ask for the certificate before work starts — if they haven't taken it out, they're breaking the law.

What can I do if a tradie does poor quality work?

First, raise it directly with the tradie in writing. If unresolved, you can lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Victorian Building Authority. For disputes over

0,000, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) handles building disputes. This is why having a written contract is so important — it's your evidence.

Is it worth using a tradie matching service like Melb Renovations?

Yes — if the service pre-vets tradies for licence, insurance and track record. The value is in the screening that's already been done for you. Getting three quotes from pre-vetted tradies is significantly safer than finding three random tradies online and hoping for the best.

Find Vetted Tradies in Melbourne's Northern Suburbs

Melb Renovations connects homeowners across Melbourne's northern suburbs with vetted, VBA-licensed builders and tradies. Every tradie in our network has been checked for licence, insurance and local track record before they ever receive a lead from us.

Whether you're in Essendon, Coburg, Brunswick or Diamond Creek, we match you with up to three local tradies who quote you directly — completely free, no obligation, no cold calls.