Independent Melbourne planner — not a contractor. General information only. Confirm licences, waterproofing, permits, and quotes with qualified trades and the Victorian Building Authority.
Answers first
Frequently asked planning questions
Direct answers. Confirm live rules with the authority named.
At a glance
Permits
Surveyor + current VIC triggers — not this page
Licences
VBA practitioner register
FAQ
Direct answers
Do I need council permits for a bathroom or kitchen reno in Victoria?
Not always. Many like-for-like internal renovations do not need a planning permit. A building permit can still apply when the work is structural, affects exits, or is not exempt under current building regulations. Ask the relevant building surveyor. Planning overlays (heritage, neighbourhood character) are a separate question — see /areas/.
Where do I verify builder and trade licences in Victoria?
Use the Victorian Building Authority practitioner register: https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/check-a-practitioner. Plumbing work is licensed separately. This site does not verify anyone.
How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Melbourne?
See /bathroom-renovation-cost/ for planning bands and assumptions. There is no honest single price.
How long does a bathroom reno take?
Same-footprint work is often a few weeks on site after lead times; layout changes run longer. Detail on /bathroom-renovation-melbourne/.
Internal ledger
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Next step
Take a written brief to a licensed trade
We do not quote, design, or install. Pair the cost-framing assumptions with the waterproofing questions, then verify the practitioner on the VBA register.