Received a building notice from council? Or discovered that building work on your property was completed without the required permits?
Our Professional Accreditations
Building Notices, Building Orders & Compliance Services Melbourne
Whether it's an extension, structural alteration or a renovation carried out by a previous owner, you need to establish what's been approved and what needs attention.
At Juma Projects, we help Melbourne property owners deal with building compliance matters. Drawing on our experience in residential construction, structural modifications and commercial fitouts, we work with the relevant specialists and undertake the building work required to address identified issues.
Request a Building Compliance Consultation
0410 006 642
Request a Quote
Unauthorised Building Works in Melbourne: Where Do You Start?
It's often during a property sale or another renovation that missing approvals come to light. Sometimes, the first indication is a letter from the council about work completed years earlier.
Before deciding what to do, you'll need to establish what was built, whether a permit was required and what records are available.
We assist with unauthorised building works in Melbourne, including:
- Council building notices and orders
- Unapproved extensions and renovations
- Structural alterations without engineering approval
- Building permit and planning approval matters
- Repairs and rectification works
Working on existing buildings is a regular part of what we do. Where investigations identify construction issues, we can work from the relevant engineering specifications and manage the alterations needed.
Building Notice Melbourne
What Our Customers Say
Our Residential & Commercial Building Projects in Melbourne
Residential and Commercial Building Compliance Melbourne
Residential Building Compliance
A renovation completed years ago may not have the paperwork to show how it was built or approved. This can become an issue when further construction is planned or the property changes ownership.
We assist with:
- Pergolas and verandahs
- Decks and outdoor structures
- Home extensions
- Garage and shed alterations
- Internal wall removals
- Structural renovations
Our experience with load-bearing wall removal, brickwork and structural steel installation is particularly relevant where an existing structure requires strengthening or modification.
Commercial Building Compliance
An existing tenancy may have undergone several fitouts, each changing the layout or intended use of the premises. These alterations can affect building classification, occupancy conditions and safety requirements.
Our work covers:
- Warehouses and industrial buildings
- Office and retail fitouts
- Restaurants and function venues
- Commercial changes of use
- Structural building alterations
- Fire safety and accessibility upgrades
From hospitality venues to medical clinics and retail premises, Juma has worked across different commercial environments, giving us practical experience with the demands of existing fitouts.
Building Notice or Building Order? Know What You’re Required to Do
A building notice in Melbourne generally gives a property owner the opportunity to explain or respond to concerns raised by the relevant building surveyor.
It may relate to unauthorised construction, defective building work or a structure that doesn't meet applicable requirements.
A building order in Melbourne can require specific action within a stated timeframe. Depending on the order, that could involve stopping work, making repairs or addressing a safety concern.
Importantly, a building notice isn't permission to begin rectification work. The appropriate response needs to be established first.
How We Can Assist
Once the concerns have been reviewed, we can assist with:
- Examining the construction matters raised.
- Arranging the necessary professional inspections.
- Obtaining engineering details and supporting drawings.
- Undertaking specified repairs or building alterations.
- Providing construction records for further inspection.
For building orders, the relevant authority determines when the requirements have been satisfied.
Our Process for Resolving Building Notices & Unauthorised Works
Every property comes with its own set of circumstances. We begin with the information available and establish what needs to be investigated before any construction work is planned.
01
Initial Consultation
We discuss the issue, review any notices you've received and find out what you know about the original construction.
02
Site Assessment
We examine the affected areas and identify where further inspection or technical investigation may be needed.
03
Consultant Coordination
Depending on the property, we help arrange input from engineers, building surveyors, architects or town planners.
04
Compliance & Approval Planning
Once the findings are available, we establish the documentation, applications and construction requirements for the next stage.
05
Rectification & Construction
Our builders undertake the specified alterations in accordance with relevant approvals, engineering details and technical requirements.
06
Inspections & Documentation
We assist with arranging inspections and providing records of completed work to the relevant professionals or authorities.
Family-Owned Business
Punctuality Guaranteed
High-Quality Workmanship
Local and Dependable Experts
Customer-Centric Approach
Handling Projects of All Sizes
Can You Get a Retrospective Building Permit in Melbourne?
If you've discovered an unapproved extension or structural alteration, you may be looking for a retrospective building permit in Melbourne. Under Victorian building regulations, a permit cannot simply be backdated to authorise completed work. However, there may be ways to address the issue without removing the entire structure.
Consider a load-bearing wall removed during an earlier renovation. Although the opening might appear sound, an engineer may need to establish whether the remaining structure is adequately supported.
An extension presents different questions. Its footings, framing and connections to the original building may need to be examined, particularly where no inspection records exist.
Depending on the findings, the next steps could include:
- Inspecting completed building work.
- Obtaining structural engineering reports.
- Identifying defects or inadequate support.
- Repairing or strengthening affected elements.
- Seeking permits for further construction where required.
At Juma Projects, our structural work includes brick wall removal, steel lintel installation and alterations to existing buildings. We can carry out the construction specified by the appointed professionals.
Ask About Unapproved Building Works
Missing Building Permits, Plans or Inspection Records?
Sometimes the problem isn't immediately visible in the building itself. It's the lack of documentation showing what was approved, inspected or completed.
This is particularly relevant for older renovations, properties with multiple owners or projects where the original builder is no longer involved.
Before further assessments take place, it helps to gather whatever records are available.
Documents Worth Checking
- Original building permits and approved plans
- Structural engineering drawings and computations
- Council correspondence and previous notices
- Inspection reports and compliance certificates
- Occupancy permits or certificates of final inspection
- Photographs taken during the original construction
Missing records don't automatically mean the work is defective. However, they can make it harder for a building surveyor to determine whether the construction satisfies the applicable requirements.
In some cases, parts of the building may need to be exposed so concealed structural details can be inspected.
Where that involves opening walls, accessing framing or carrying out subsequent repairs, Juma can manage the construction work alongside the appointed specialists.
Received a Building Notice or Need to Resolve Unapproved Works?
Whether you're dealing with missing approvals, an existing structural alteration or a council building order, it's worth understanding the construction issues before deciding on the next step.
At Juma Projects, we're a family-run Melbourne building business with experience in structural alterations, residential renovations and commercial fitouts. We can work alongside the relevant building professionals and manage the construction needed to address your property's compliance concerns.
Request a Compliance Consultation
0410 006 642
Request a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions?
Connect with our friendly team with your queries by clicking the link below.
Check the reason for the notice and the response deadline. Gather any permits, plans or correspondence relating to the work. You may need professional advice before responding or making changes. Juma can assist with the building assessments and construction requirements that follow.
A retrospective building permit cannot simply be issued for completed work in Victoria. The existing construction may instead need to be assessed, with repairs or further documentation required. Whether it can remain depends on the relevant building surveyor's findings and requirements.
First, check whether approval was required. Permit exemptions depend on the structure's particular characteristics. If a permit was necessary, the building surveyor may require an inspection, supporting evidence or alterations. Removal isn't necessarily the only outcome.
Yes. We can assist with the construction work identified in a building order, including structural modifications and repairs. Where specialist drawings or inspections are needed, we can help coordinate these with the relevant professionals.
Potentially, depending on the premises and their approved use. A change in building classification, fire safety provisions or accessibility requirements may affect what's needed. Planning restrictions must also be considered before a proposed use can proceed.
Not necessarily. Planning permits relate to land use and development, while building permits deal with construction requirements. Some projects require both, others only one or neither. The work and the property's planning controls determine which approvals apply.
That depends on what needs investigating and whether changes are required. Professional reports, inspections, documentation, permit applications and construction can all contribute to the cost. We can discuss the scope of work once we understand your property's circumstances.
A straightforward assessment may take less time than a project involving structural repairs or several approvals. Missing plans and incomplete construction records can also delay matters. If you've received a notice or order, its specified deadlines still need to be addressed.