★★★★★
highly recommend Jason and his team, professional, punctual, friendly and great value for money.
Peng W.09 Oct 2025 · Word of Mouth
About 5J Building Group
Home renovation in Blackburn by a registered local builder
Renovating in Blackburn takes a builder who respects trees as much as timber. 5J Building Group is a registered domestic builder with over two decades of experience across Melbourne, including recent renovations in Box Hill, Burwood and Vermont South, so we're well used to the eastern suburbs' landscape controls.
Blackburn is one of Melbourne's leafiest suburbs. Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, the Blackburn Creeklands and tall canopy trees give many streets a bush feel, and a large part of the suburb is recognised for its historical and landscape significance, with planning controls that have helped keep its village atmosphere. That character is exactly why people buy here, and it's why renovations need a careful, site-specific approach.
We design additions that sit comfortably among established trees, work around protected vegetation and make the most of garden outlooks, from a new family room at the rear to a reworked kitchen or a full internal refresh. Tree and landscape checks come first, then design, permits and construction, all managed by us.
20+ years renovating Melbourne
Registered builder CDB-U 73492
Word of Mouth 2025 Service Award
Why 5J
Why Blackburn homeowners choose 5J Building Group
20+ years' experience
Two decades of renovating Melbourne homes means we know which materials suit which rooms, and where projects typically run into trouble.
Registered & licensed
Registered Domestic Builder (Unlimited), CDB-U 73492. You're dealing with an accountable, licensed builder, not a middleman.
Our own trades
We organise all the contractors and they work for us. They're vetted, professional and respectful of your home.
No hidden costs
Every job starts with a free, customised quote built around your budget. What we quote is what you pay for.
On time, on budget
Our project managers monitor every stage so your renovation is delivered on schedule and within the agreed budget.
Weekly updates
You'll hear from us every week on progress. Change your mind on a finish? Tell us and we'll work it in.
Our services
Renovation services in Blackburn
Whether it's one room or the whole house, we handle design, approvals and construction under one contract.
Total home renovation
Full-house renovations that modernise layout, finishes and function, including landscaping, driveways and fencing.
Learn more →Home extensions
Ground-floor and second-storey extensions that add space for a growing family without the cost of moving.
Learn more →Kitchen renovations
Classic, modern and French provincial kitchens designed around how your family actually cooks and gathers.
Learn more →Bathroom renovations
Ensuites, family bathrooms and laundries, from waterproofing and tiling through to final fit-off.
Learn more →Knockdown & rebuild
Land selection, feasibility, planning, permits and construction for a brand-new home on your block.
Learn more →Granny flats
Self-contained small second dwellings, prefabricated or built on site, for family, guests or rental income.
Learn more →Recent work
Recent renovation projects
A selection of recent 5J renovations in Blackburn and across Melbourne.
Reviews
What our customers say
Real 5-star reviews from 5J Building Group customers on Word of Mouth.
★★★★★
The boss Jason is always very nice and helpful，understand well what the homeowner really wants
Tim P.15 Oct 2024 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
Professional knowledge, skills, always give the best ideas to the customer. I highly recommend this builder to the one who want to renovate home.
Allen W.11 Jan 2024 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
Excellent job and truly 5-star services
5J did an excellent job and truly 5-star services on our project! The whole team was friendly, efficient, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was done perfectly. It’s refreshing to work with a company that truly cares about quality and customer satisfaction. Highly recommend!
Simon L.06 Nov 2025 · Word of Mouth
Rated 5.0 ★ on Word of Mouth. Read all our reviews
About the area
Renovating in Blackburn
Blackburn sits about 16 km east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Whitehorse, served by Laburnum and Blackburn stations on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines and the 901 SmartBus. Its three major bushland reserves, including Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, are a big part of the suburb's appeal.
Because so much of Blackburn is valued for its landscape, tree and landscape overlays are common here. For renovators, that means planning around established trees and garden space from day one, which usually leads to better-designed extensions that feel part of the setting rather than squeezed into it.
| Postcode | VIC 3130 |
|---|---|
| Council | City of Whitehorse |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 16 km east |
| Area | 5.8 km² |
| Population | 14,478 (2021 Census) |
| State electorate | Box Hill and Ringwood |
| Federal division | Deakin and Menzies |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Blackburn North, Box Hill North, Box Hill, Blackburn South, Forest Hill, Nunawading |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Box Hill, Nunawading, Forest Hill and Mitcham. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Planning and permits in Blackburn
Blackburn is in the City of Whitehorse, so renovations are assessed under the Whitehorse Planning Scheme and Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Blackburn renovation.
Check your zone and overlays
Your zone and any overlays decide which rules apply. Search your address on Whitehorse Maps to see the overlays on your property, then check the matching clauses of the Whitehorse Planning Scheme. We do this for every job before design starts.
When an extension needs a permit
Under the standard residential zone rules, extending a single house often doesn't need a planning permit unless the lot is under 300 m² or an overlay applies. In Whitehorse, overlays are common, so this check matters. Structural work also needs a building permit from a registered building surveyor, which we arrange.
Blackburn's landscape overlays
Whitehorse applies Significant Landscape Overlays to specific parts of Blackburn, including the Blackburn areas and the Walker Estate, each with its own protected-tree thresholds. Together with the Vegetation Protection Overlay, these controls shape where an extension can go and which trees must stay.
Whitehorse's tree controls
Whitehorse applies a Vegetation Protection Overlay across its suburbs, which protects trees with a single trunk circumference of 50 cm or more measured 1 m above ground. Some areas also have a Significant Landscape Overlay with their own thresholds, and Victoria's canopy tree rules (Clause 52.37) apply near front and rear boundaries. Dead trees are generally exempt.
Planning rules change and every property is different, so treat this as a general guide rather than planning advice. We confirm the controls for your address as part of your free quote.
FAQs
Blackburn renovation FAQs
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Blackburn?
It depends on the work and your property. Extending a house usually only needs a planning permit if the lot is under 300 m² or an overlay applies, and many Whitehorse properties have tree or landscape overlays. Structural work also needs a building permit. We check your property's overlays early and manage the permits as part of the job.
Will Blackburn's landscape controls stop me extending?
Usually not, but they shape the design. Parts of Blackburn are covered by Significant Landscape Overlays on top of Whitehorse's Vegetation Protection Overlay, so protected trees, their root zones and garden space need to be planned around. We check your property's overlays first and design an extension that works with them.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree before renovating in Blackburn?
Often, yes. Whitehorse's Vegetation Protection Overlay protects trees with a trunk circumference of 50 cm or more measured 1 m above ground, and a Significant Landscape Overlay can add further controls in some areas. Dead trees are generally exempt. We check your trees at the design stage and build any permit into your timeline.
How much does a renovation in Blackburn cost?
Every home is different, so we quote each job individually after an on-site visit. As a general guide, many homeowners aim to spend around 5–10% of their property's value on a renovation. Our quotes are free, tailored to your budget and have no hidden costs.
How long does a home renovation take?
It depends on the scope. A kitchen and two bathrooms typically take 4–8 weeks, larger renovations usually take 2–4 months, and extensions or new builds can take up to 10 months. We give you a clear timeline with your quote.
Do you also renovate in suburbs near Blackburn?
Yes. We renovate across Whitehorse and the surrounding suburbs, including Box Hill, Nunawading, Forest Hill and Mitcham. You get the same team, the same trades and the same free on-site quote wherever you are.
5J Blog
Renovation ideas and advice
Ready to renovate your Blackburn home?
Book a free on-site quote. We'll look at your Blackburn home, its trees and garden, and give you a renovation plan built around your budget.