Help centre

Building or renovating your home is an exciting time but planning and managing your building project can be overwhelming.

There are Government Agencies that can help your building project go to plan. These agencies offer free information and advice that will support you through your building journey.

• Consumer Affairs Victoria
• BPC Dispute Resolution
• Building and Plumbing Commission - Formally Victorian Building Authority

Understanding the building process is an important first step — and that includes making sure your project is properly insured.

Before you begin, it’s a good idea to:

• Learn how the building process works
• Choose a registered builder
• Understand your building contract
• Know when Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is required

The Victorian Government’s step-by-step guide can help you through the process. Consumer Affairs Victoria also offers helpful checklists and tools to support you when planning or managing a building project or renovation.

Find out more at Consumer Affairs Victoria

1. Choose a registered builder

Builders must be registered with the Building & Plumbing Commission formally the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) before they can carry out domestic building work.

Check if your builder is registered by using the Practitioner Search

2. Review your contract carefully

• Read the building contract in full
• Consider getting legal advice
• Understand your rights around deposits and progress payments — visit Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) for more information

3. Confirm your project is insured

• Ask your builder if they’ve purchased Domestic Building Insurance (DBI)
• Your builder must give you a copy of the DBI Certificate of Insurance
• You’ll also receive a copy by email once it’s issued If you don’t receive your DBI certificate, contact your builder directly.

4. Sign the contract

Once you’re confident the builder is registered, and your project is insured:

• Sign the contract
• Ask for a complete copy of the signed agreement
• Keep it in a safe place along with your DBI Certificate of Insurance

You’re now ready to start your building project with confidence.

Building or renovating is underway — here’s how to help things stay on track.

1. Stay informed and involved

• Visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for helpful checklists and general building advice
• Maintain open and regular communication with your builder
• Keep records of all agreements, payments and changes to your project

2. Know what to do if things don’t go to plan

If your builder is unable to finish the job because they have:

• Died
• Disappeared
• Become insolvent
• Failed to comply with a VCAT or court order (for policies issued from 1 July 2015)

You may be eligible to make a claim under your Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) policy.
Find out how to make a claim.

3. Secure your property

If you need emergency repairs to prevent further damage, check if you’re eligible and read our emergency works information [PDF, 157KB].

4. If you can’t claim through DBI

If your builder hasn’t died, disappeared, become insolvent or failed to follow a VCAT order, but you have defective or incomplete work, or a dispute:

• Contact BPC Disputes Resolution for free help
• You can also visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for advice on building disputes, defects and delays

Keeping informed and proactive can help you manage your build more confidently.

After your building or renovation project is complete, ensure that:

• All contracted building works have been completed to the agreed standard; and
• You’ve received your Certificate of Final Inspection or Occupancy Permit.

If you discover your property has defective works that your builder is unable to rectify as they have died, disappeared, become insolvent or failed to comply with a VCAT order (if the policy was issued from 1 July 2015), you may be eligible to make a claim with us. To find out more visit making a claim.

Your DBI is valid for up to 2 years after completion of the works for non-structural defects and up to 6 years for structural defects.

• Take steps to secure your property. If you are eligible to make a claim with us and you require emergency works to prevent further damage to your home, find out more here [PDF, 157KB].

If your building project is complete and you can’t make a claim with the Building and Plumbing Commission because your builder has not died, become insolvent, disappeared, or failed to comply with a VCAT Order (if the policy was issued from 1 July 2015), but your home has defective works, is incomplete or you have a domestic building dispute with your builder there are other options you can pursue.

You can contact BPC Disputes Resolution for free building information and advice. You can also access helpful information on resolving building disputes on Consumer Affairs Victoria's Building disputes, defects and delays page.