FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

From 1 July 2026, Home Warranty replaced Domestic Building Insurance for new eligible domestic building contracts in Victoria. It generally applies to eligible domestic building work valued at more than $20,000 under contracts signed on or after 1 July 2026.

Home Warranty may provide assistance where eligible work is incomplete, defective or non-compliant and the builder fails or refuses to complete or rectify it. Existing projects insured under the previous Domestic Building Insurance scheme remain covered under their original policies.

Your builder is responsible for arranging and paying the applicable Home Warranty premium for eligible work. Coverage remains subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions. BPC Home Warranty guidance

In Victoria, domestic building work valued at more than $10,000 must generally be performed under a major domestic building contract by a builder registered in the appropriate category.

Registration helps ensure that your builder has demonstrated the necessary qualifications, knowledge and experience. Using an unregistered builder for work requiring registration may leave you without important contractual, regulatory and insurance protections.

You can check a builder’s registration through the Building and Plumbing Commission’s practitioner register. BPC guidance for engaging a builder

Begin by considering what you want to achieve, your approximate budget, preferred timeframe and any features that are particularly important to you. You don’t need to have every detail resolved before speaking with us.

We can discuss the proposed scope, identify the plans, reports, permits and professional advice that may be required, and explain the next steps in straightforward language. Before appointing any builder, check their registration, review the proposed scope carefully and make sure the required contract and insurance documents are provided.

Whether a building permit is required depends on the type and scope of work. A straightforward bathroom, kitchen or laundry renovation may not require a building permit where no structural or significant building changes are involved. However, a permit may be required if the project involves structural alterations, changes to external openings, the building envelope or other regulated work.

ZJC Building will assess the proposed scope and generally assist with coordinating the required plans, documents and building-permit application.

Under Victorian law, the property owner must appoint the private building surveyor. We can recommend suitable professionals and guide you through the appointment process, but the builder cannot formally appoint the private building surveyor on your behalf.

Licensed plumbing and electrical work must still satisfy the applicable requirements, regardless of whether a building permit is required. We will confirm the requirements for your particular project before work begins. BPC permit guidance

Victorian law includes implied statutory warranties in domestic building contracts. These include requirements that work is carried out with reasonable care and skill, complies with applicable laws and specifications, uses suitable materials and is completed within the agreed time—or within a reasonable time when no completion date is stated.

These warranties automatically apply to domestic building work and may transfer to a subsequent property owner for up to 10 years after completion.

For eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026, Home Warranty may separately provide insurance assistance for major defects for up to six years and other defects or non-compliant work for up to two years, subject to eligibility, limits and exclusions. Manufacturer warranties for appliances, fixtures and materials may also apply. Consumer Affairs Victoria warranty guidance

The deposit and payment schedule will be clearly set out in your building contract before work begins.

Under Victorian law, the maximum deposit is generally 10% for contracts under $20,000 and 5% for contracts valued at $20,000 or more.

The remaining contract amount is divided into progress payments linked to clearly defined stages of completed work. Depending on the project, these may include commencement, demolition, framing, lock-up, fixing, cabinetry or fit-off, with a final payment at completion.

Because renovations and extensions differ considerably, the exact stages will be tailored to the project and documented in the contract. An invoice is issued when each agreed stage has been completed, so you can see what the payment relates to. Approved variations are documented and charged separately.

ZJC Building services Bendigo, the Central Goldfields and surrounding areas, generally within approximately 100 kilometres of Maryborough, Victoria.

This includes communities throughout the Bendigo, Central Goldfields and Pyrenees regions. If you are unsure whether your property is within our service area, submit your project details and we’ll be happy to discuss it with you.

A variation is a change to the agreed scope, plans, specifications, price or project timeframe after the contract has been signed.

A client may request a variation—for example, changing a fixture, material, layout or finish.

The builder may also propose a variation where additional or different work becomes necessary. This could arise from unforeseen site conditions, previously concealed damage, availability of specified materials, a change required by the building surveyor, or work needed to comply with applicable regulations.

Most variations must be documented in writing and agreed to by both parties before the changed work begins. The variation notice will explain the work, the price adjustment and any effect on the completion date.

ZJC Building will discuss the proposed variation with you and obtain written approval before proceeding, except where immediate work is legally permitted or required to protect the property or safety.  BPC variation guidance

ZJC Building completes work in accordance with the legislation, regulations, approved documents and technical requirements applicable to each project.

Depending on the project, these may include the Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018, Plumbing Regulations 2018, the applicable edition of the National Construction Code, referenced Australian Standards, the building permit, approved plans and manufacturers’ installation requirements.

Victoria adopted NCC 2025 on 1 May 2026, although the version applying to an individual project can depend on its permit and approval dates. The appointed building surveyor determines whether the proposed design satisfies the applicable requirements. BPC standards and regulations guidance