tradereferTRADEREFER
Ranked by Google Reviews

Top 10 Building
in Essendon, Melbourne

TradeRefer lists 5 building businesses in Essendon with an average Google rating of 3.9 across 146 reviews. The businesses below are ranked from highest to lowest rating — all ABN-checked and community-recommended.

Typical cost in Essendon: $80–$160/hr

Ranked #2026

By Google Rating

3.9★ Avg Rating

146 reviews

ABN Checked

ABN-checked

Top 5 Building in Essendon — Ranked by Rating

Sorted by public Google rating, highest first. All ABN-checked.

#1
Top Rated 2026
G.J. Gardner Homes - Melbourne Inner North West
Building ABN checked

G.J. Gardner Homes - Melbourne Inner North West

G.J. Gardner Homes - Melbourne Inner North West is a highly rated building business serving Essendon and surrounding areas in VIC. With an outstanding 5-star rating from 107 customer reviews, they are one of the top-rated building providers in the area. Contact G.J. Gardner Homes - Melbourne Inner North West today — call +61 3 9351 0307 or visit their website for a free quote.

5.0(107 reviews)
Essendon
#2
St George Modern Constructions
Building ABN checked

St George Modern Constructions

St George Modern Constructions delivers high-quality and professional construction services for a range of projects throughout Melbourne. Contact us today.

5.0(18 reviews)
Essendon
#3
Essendon Home Improvements
Building ABN checked

Essendon Home Improvements

Home Builders Victoria father and son team renovate, extend and develop properties across Melbourne. Call us today for a free quote.

5.0(10 reviews)
Essendon
#4
Essendon Builders
Building ABN checked

Essendon Builders

I have been in the building industry since the year 1995 as a carpenter. In 2008 I completed extra training and became a registered building practitioner. home extension

4.6(11 reviews)
Essendon
#5
Builders in Essendon
Building ABN checked

Builders in Essendon

Builders in Essendon is a trusted building business serving Essendon and surrounding areas in VIC. Contact Builders in Essendon today — call +61 131443 or visit their website for a free quote.

0.0
Essendon

How Much Do Building Cost in Essendon?

Based on Victoria industry rates. Always get 2–3 written quotes.

Typical Range

$80–$160

/hr

After-Hours

$240

Emergency callout

Avg Hourly

$120

Essendon market

Estimates only. Always request a written quote before authorising work.

Building Licensing in Victoria

In Victoria, builders must be registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA). Work over $10,000 requires a Major Domestic Building Contract.

How to Choose the Best Building in Essendon

A checklist before hiring any building in Essendon, Melbourne.

  1. 1

    Verify their electrical licence is current at your state's electrical safety authority (e.g. Energy Safe Victoria, NSW Fair Trading).

  2. 2

    Confirm they carry public liability insurance of at least $5 million — ask to see the certificate.

  3. 3

    Get 2–3 written quotes for any job over $500. A written quote protects both parties and clarifies the full scope.

  4. 4

    Check their Google and TradeRefer ratings — look for consistent reviews mentioning punctuality, clean workmanship, and clear communication.

  5. 5

    Ask whether they'll provide a Certificate of Compliance (electrical safety certificate) on completion, as required by law in most states.

FAQs — Building in Essendon, Melbourne

How much does a home extension cost in Australia?

A single-storey extension typically costs $2,000–$3,500 per m². A 40m² addition runs $80,000–$140,000 including structural work, roofing, cladding, and fit-out. Two-storey additions cost more due to engineering and structural complexity. Always get a fixed-price contract rather than a cost-plus arrangement.

Do I need council approval for a home extension?

Yes in most cases. Extensions that change the building's footprint, height, or floor area require a building permit and often a planning permit. Some minor works fall under 'exempt development' thresholds — these vary by state and council. Your builder or building designer can advise what approvals apply to your project.

What is the difference between a builder and an architect?

An architect designs the building and may project-manage, but doesn't do physical construction. A builder constructs the project to approved plans. A building designer (draftsperson) produces plans without an architect's full qualification. For most residential projects, a building designer plus licensed builder is sufficient and more cost-effective.

How long does a granny flat take to build in Australia?

A standard prefabricated or modular granny flat takes 12–20 weeks from approval to completion. Traditionally-built granny flats take 16–26 weeks. The approval process (council or CDC) takes 4–10 weeks before construction can begin. Total time from concept to move-in is typically 6–12 months.

What should a building contract include?

A compliant building contract must include: fixed price or schedule of rates, scope of works, start and completion dates, progress payment schedule, insurance details, the builder's licence number, variation process, and dispute resolution procedure. Never pay more than 10% deposit in most states.

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