VICTORIAN BUILDING SURVEYORS
Building Permits & Building Surveying in Melbourne
Independent assessment, mandatory inspections and practical compliance advice for residential and commercial projects across Victoria.
Established 2016 · Joseph Yousefi, Building Surveyor Unlimited
Independent expertise. Practical next steps.
VBS assists homeowners, builders, designers and developers with building permit assessment, mandatory inspections, completion documentation and building compliance across Victoria.
Established in 2016, our office is led by Joseph Yousefi, Building Surveyor Unlimited. His experience includes local government and a Senior Technical Advisor role with the Victorian Building Authority.
Tell us the property address and scope of work. We will explain the proposed service, documents needed and fees before you proceed.
Building permits for your project
From a shed or home extension to a commercial fit-out, the approval pathway depends on the proposed work and site. Send the address, plans and project description for an initial scope and fee proposal.
Our building surveying services include:
• Assessment of plans and supporting documents
• Identification of outstanding permit information
• Mandatory inspections specified by the permit
• Occupancy permits or certificates of final inspection where applicable
Planning approval is separate. Work requiring a building permit must wait until it is issued.
Sheds → · Patios → · Verandahs → · Retaining walls → · Front fences → · Alterations & additions → · Commercial projects →
Building notices & unauthorised work
Received a notice or order, or found work built without a permit? Send the council correspondence, plans and construction records for an initial review.
We can inspect relevant work, identify documentation gaps and review technical compliance evidence. Certification under section 238(1)(b) may be available where appropriate to the matter and supporting evidence.
Building permits cannot be issued retrospectively for completed work. Rectification or other approvals may be required. The municipal building surveyor remains responsible for council enforcement decisions.
Inspections & completion certification
Arrange the mandatory stages specified in your building permit before relevant work is covered. Final certification depends on satisfactory inspections, rectification items and the required practitioner documents.
Pool and spa barriers: VBS also provides pool barrier inspections and, following a satisfactory inspection, Form 23 compliance certification for submission to council.
Inspection & certification services →
Images are illustrative and are not records of a particular VBS employee, project or approval outcome.
Your project, step by step
1. Project enquiry
Send your address, scope and available plans.
2. Scope and fee proposal
Confirm the services, fees and documents needed.
3. Permit assessment
Plans and supporting evidence are assessed; outstanding matters must be resolved.
4. Permit decision
Construction starts only after required approval is issued.
5. Mandatory inspections
Book each stage before relevant work is covered.
6. Completion documentation
Final certification follows satisfactory inspections and required records.
WHERE WE WORK
Melbourne & Victoria service areas
Zone 1 — Melbourne & surrounds
Approximately within 100 km of Melbourne CBD. Confirm your property address and inspection arrangements with VBS.
Zone 2 — Rest of Victoria
Additional travel allowance may apply. Scope, availability and travel allowance are confirmed in the fee proposal.
Explore your council service guide:
Banyule · Bayside · Boroondara · Brimbank · Cardinia · Casey · Darebin · Frankston · Glen Eira · Greater Dandenong · Hobsons Bay · Hume · Kingston · Knox · Manningham · Maribyrnong · Maroondah · Melbourne · Melton · Merri-bek · Monash · Moonee Valley · Mornington Peninsula · Nillumbik · Port Phillip · Stonnington · Whitehorse · Whittlesea · Wyndham · Yarra · Yarra Ranges
Request a quote for your property →
Map geography: ABS ASGS 2021, generalised for display. © Commonwealth of Australia, CC BY 4.0. Approximate service zones, not council boundaries.
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