New Dwelling Building Permits in Melbourne & Victoria

Building a new home? Victorian Building Surveyors assists owners, designers and builders with independent building permit assessment, mandatory inspections and completion documentation for new dwellings across Victoria.

REQUEST A NEW DWELLING QUOTE → | Call 03 8407 3095

Plan the approvals before construction

A new dwelling requires a building permit before building work begins. Planning approval is a separate process and may also be required. Your site, title restrictions, design and proposed use determine the documents and other approvals needed.

Start with the property address, proposed plans and a description of the project. Tell us whether it is a single new home, a replacement dwelling or part of a multi-dwelling proposal, and whether demolition or staged construction is involved.

How VBS can assist

We assess plans and supporting evidence against applicable building requirements, identify outstanding information, specify the mandatory inspection stages and review the documents required for completion. The assessment works alongside your designer, engineer and builder; approval depends on satisfactory documentation and compliance.

Documents for your new dwelling enquiry

• Property address and a clear description of the proposed work.
• Current title, plan of subdivision and details of relevant restrictions or easements.
• Scaled site and floor plans, elevations, sections and specifications.
• Structural engineering, footing design and soil information where applicable.
• Energy efficiency and other relevant technical documentation.
• Planning permit, endorsed plans and authority consents where required.
• Builder or owner-builder details and application or appointment documents when requested.

Send what you have for the initial quote. VBS will confirm the project-specific checklist after reviewing your proposal. A fee proposal is not a building permit or permission to start work.

Your new home, step by step

1. Project enquiry: send the address, scope and available plans.
2. Scope and fee proposal: confirm services, fees, inspection arrangements and required documents.
3. Assessment: resolve requests for information and any necessary approvals or design changes.
4. Building permit: obtain the required permit before construction and follow its approved documents and conditions.
5. Mandatory inspections: book each specified stage before the relevant work is covered.
6. Completion: resolve outstanding items and provide required practitioner documents for the occupancy permit assessment.

Discuss proposed changes with your building surveyor before changing approved work. Do not occupy a new dwelling until the required occupancy permit has been issued.

Frequently asked questions

Is a planning permit the same as a building permit?

No. Planning approval addresses land use and development under the planning scheme. A building permit concerns compliance of the proposed building work. Where both are required, the relevant planning requirements must be resolved for the building permit.

How long will a new dwelling permit take?

Timing depends on the design, completeness of documents, outstanding approvals and responses to requests for information. Send your plans for a project-specific assessment rather than relying on a guaranteed turnaround.

What does the permit service cost?

Fees depend on the project scope, assessment and inspection requirements. Your fee proposal will explain the included services and applicable costs; statutory or third-party charges may be separate.

Can an owner-builder apply?

Tell VBS if you intend to act as owner-builder. Eligibility, consent and supporting documentation requirements must be checked for the proposed work before the application proceeds.

What if the project includes demolition?

Identify demolition separately at the enquiry stage. It can require its own permits, consents and supporting information. A new dwelling proposal does not itself authorise demolition.

Request a new dwelling building permit quote

Send your address, proposed plans and scope of work. VBS will review the enquiry and explain the next steps, services and information needed.

REQUEST A NEW DWELLING QUOTE →

Melbourne and surrounds: approximately within 100 km of the CBD. For projects elsewhere in Victoria, additional travel allowance may apply; availability and inspection arrangements are confirmed in the fee proposal.

All building permit services · Alterations and additions to an existing home