Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is a type of insurance required by law in Victoria for most residential building projects worth more than $16,000. It protects homeowners if their builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before the work is finished or the warranty period ends. It’s not about covering general defects or maintenance — it’s a safety net so you’re not left high and dry if the builder physically can’t complete the job.

In Victoria, only registered building practitioners can take on domestic building work worth more than $10,000. Registration isn’t just a piece of paper — it means your builder has the right qualifications, experience, and insurance to legally do the job.

Working with someone who isn’t registered is risky: you won’t be protected by Domestic Building Insurance, you can’t enforce certain warranties, and you might end up with work that doesn’t meet code. Basically, it can cost you a fortune to fix later.

Start by being clear on your goals, your budget, and your timeline — even if it’s just rough numbers. A good builder will guide you through the rest. Don’t stress if you don’t know where to start, that’s normal.

The key is choosing someone you can trust to explain things without the jargon, keep you updated, and actually stick to what they promise. Always check that your builder is registered, insured, and gives you contracts and paperwork up front (DBI, permits, warranties). If they dodge those things, run.

In Victoria, most building work requires a building permit. It’s the legal approval that confirms your project meets structural, safety, and planning standards. Without one, the work can’t legally start, and you risk fines or having to undo the job later.

Permits are issued by a registered building surveyor. Usually, your builder will prepare the application and organise it on your behalf, but the permit itself is always tied to your project. Before work begins, you’ll receive a copy of the permit so you know everything is compliant and ready to go.

In Victoria, every domestic building project automatically comes with statutory warranties under the Domestic Building Contracts Act. These apply whether they’re written into your contract or not.

You’re covered for:

6 years for structural defects (things that affect the stability or safety of the building).

2 years for non-structural defects (like finishes, fittings, or general workmanship issues).

These warranties mean the builder is legally responsible for fixing problems that arise within those periods. On top of that, any specific product warranties (for appliances, fixtures, or materials) still apply as usual.

For domestic building work in Victoria, payments are usually broken into progress stages rather than paid all at once. This keeps things fair for both parties — you only pay for work that’s been completed. The exact stages and percentages must be set out clearly in your building contract before work begins. This way, you know exactly when payments are due and what work will be finished at each point.

We service the greater Bendigo region and locations within roughly 100 kms of Maryborough, Victoria. That includes towns and communities across the Central Goldfields, Pyrenees, and surrounding districts. If you’re unsure whether your property falls within our area, please feel free to contact us, we are always happy to help.

In Victoria, any variation must be agreed to in writing, with details of the cost and time impact clearly set out before the work is done. This protects both you and the builder. It means you know exactly what you’re paying for, and the builder has clear instructions to follow. Verbal agreements or “just do it on the fly” changes aren’t enough under the law — they can cause disputes later. So if you want to make a change, the process is simple: it gets written up, signed by both parties, and then carried out. That way, everything stays transparent and there are no surprises at the end.