★★★★★
Professional and reliable
5J did an outstanding job on our project, they were professional, reliable, thank you!
joanna L.06 Mar 2025 · Word of Mouth
About 5J Building Group
Home renovation in Caulfield by a registered local builder
For over 20 years, families across Melbourne's south-east have trusted 5J Building Group with their renovations, and our recent projects in Glen Huntly, Ormond and Bentleigh are only a few minutes from Caulfield. As a registered domestic builder, we take on everything from kitchens and bathrooms to extensions and knockdown rebuilds.
Caulfield is a small, established suburb between Elsternwick and Glen Huntly, with trams along Hawthorn Road and Glen Huntly Road and Caulfield Park just to the north. Its established, tree-lined streets are full of homes that families often want to extend rather than leave, and the area was historically swampy before it was developed, which still matters when planning new floor levels.
Whether you're after a larger kitchen and living area, an extra bedroom and ensuite or a full renovation of an older home, we check heritage and flood controls before design so there are no surprises later. Book a free visit and we'll give you an detailed quote with no hidden costs.
20+ years renovating Melbourne
Registered builder CDB-U 73492
Word of Mouth 2025 Service Award
Why 5J
Why Caulfield 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 Caulfield
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 Caulfield and across Melbourne.
Reviews
What our customers say
Real 5-star reviews from 5J Building Group customers on Word of Mouth.
★★★★★
Great builder
Professional, efficient, and skilled builders! From the first meeting to the final handover, they were a pleasure to work with. The project was completed on time, and the quality of work was outstanding. Would highly recommend!
CiCi P.15 Feb 2025 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
Renovations top gun
Jason is a top gun for renovations, he does a great job and is good with communications
I recommend Jason to everyone who needs a renovation done on their family or investment home...
Amanda Vaughan22 Dec 2023 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
I just wrapped up a 4-month renovation project with Jason. When I decided to renovate last year, I contacted a lot of builders, and Jason was the only one who could provide a quote on the same day. His promptness and professionalism really impressed me. As expected, he made the whole process smooth and stress-free.
Jason kept me in the loop with regular updates and was quick to answer any questions I had. His transparency and willingness to work together made me feel confident and involved. He also pointed out potential issues with my house, helping me avoid future troubles. Effective communication on every detail was crucial for me, as it saved my energy. I worked with Jason's team as if they were my own, and they treated my home with respect.
I highly recommend 5J Building Group to anyone looking to construct or renovate. Their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction truly stands out.
Alyssa Z.14 Jun 2024 · Word of Mouth
Rated 5.0 ★ on Word of Mouth. Read all our reviews
About the area
Renovating in Caulfield
Caulfield sits about 10 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Glen Eira. At just 1.5 km², it's compact and well connected, with tram routes 64 and 67 and several bus routes, although no train line runs through the suburb itself.
Much of Caulfield's appeal is its established, leafy streetscape. For renovators, that means working with heritage controls where they apply, checking any Special Building Overlay for flooding, and planning extensions that sit well behind the existing street frontage.
| Postcode | VIC 3162 |
|---|---|
| Council | City of Glen Eira |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 10 km south-east |
| Area | 1.5 km² |
| Population | 5,748 (2021 Census) |
| State electorate | Caulfield |
| Federal division | Macnamara |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Caulfield North, Caulfield East, Glen Huntly, Caulfield South, Elsternwick |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Elsternwick, Glen Huntly, Carnegie and Malvern. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Planning and permits in Caulfield
Caulfield is in the City of Glen Eira, so renovations are assessed under the Glen Eira Planning Scheme and Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Caulfield renovation.
Check your zone and overlays
Your zone and any overlays decide which rules apply. Glen Eira Council recommends checking them on VicPlan. Council also notes that lot size matters, so it's worth having your Certificate of Title handy. We check this before design starts.
When an extension needs a permit
Glen Eira says whether a home extension needs a planning permit depends on factors such as lot size, previous permits, planning controls and location. Under the standard residential zone rules, lots under 300 m² and properties with an overlay usually need one. Structural work also needs a building permit from a registered building surveyor, which we arrange.
Heritage and flood overlays
Parts of Caulfield are covered by Glen Eira's Heritage Overlay, which usually means a planning permit for demolition, extensions and external changes. Glen Eira also uses a Special Building Overlay for flood-prone land, which sets conditions and floor levels. If flooding is the only trigger, the application can be fast-tracked through VicSmart.
Glen Eira's tree rules
Glen Eira's Canopy Tree Protection Local Law requires a permit to prune, remove or work within the tree protection zone of a canopy tree with a trunk circumference of 140 cm or more (measured at ground level, or 1.4 m up the trunk). Trees on the Classified Tree Register are also protected, and Victoria's canopy tree rules (Clause 52.37) apply near front and rear boundaries.
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
Caulfield renovation FAQs
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Caulfield?
It depends on the work and your property. Glen Eira looks at lot size, previous permits, overlays and location, and lots under 300 m² or properties with a Heritage or Special Building Overlay usually need a planning permit. Structural work also needs a building permit. We check all of this early and manage the permits as part of the job.
Does the Special Building Overlay affect my Caulfield extension?
If your property is in one, yes. Glen Eira uses the Special Building Overlay to set appropriate conditions and floor levels for flood risk, which can affect how high a new floor needs to be. Where it's the only planning trigger, the permit can go through the faster VicSmart process. We check this before design starts.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree before renovating in Caulfield?
Often, yes. Glen Eira's Canopy Tree Protection Local Law covers trees with a trunk circumference of 140 cm or more, and a permit is needed to prune, remove or work near them. Classified trees are also protected. We check your trees at the design stage and build any permit into your timeline.
How much does a renovation in Caulfield 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 Caulfield?
Yes. We renovate across Glen Eira and the surrounding suburbs, including Elsternwick, Glen Huntly, Carnegie and Malvern. 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 Caulfield home?
Book a free on-site quote. We'll come to your Caulfield home, check the controls that apply and give you a renovation plan built around your budget.