★★★★★
Jason's team is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, it is a delight to work with them.I highly recommend 5J BUILDING GROUP
Biao Z.08 Aug 2024 · Word of Mouth
About 5J Building Group
Home renovation in Clayton by a registered local builder
5J Building Group is a registered domestic builder with more than two decades of experience improving homes across Melbourne, including recent projects in Glen Waverley and Wheelers Hill, just up the road from Clayton. Renovations, extensions, granny flats, kitchens, bathrooms and rebuilds are all part of what we do.
Clayton is home to Monash University's main campus, the Australian Synchrotron and CSIRO, and a notably young population, with a median age of 28 at the 2021 Census. That mix brings a steady demand for homes that work harder: extra bedrooms and bathrooms for growing families, better layouts for multi-generational living, and durable, well-finished upgrades for owners who rent to students and researchers.
Whether you're updating a family home near the Clayton Road shops, adding space for relatives or refreshing an investment property, you'll deal with one point of contact and get weekly progress updates. We start with a free on-site assessment and a clear, detailed quote.
20+ years renovating Melbourne
Registered builder CDB-U 73492
Word of Mouth 2025 Service Award
Why 5J
Why Clayton 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 Clayton
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 Clayton and across Melbourne.
Reviews
What our customers say
Real 5-star reviews from 5J Building Group customers on Word of Mouth.
★★★★★
A1 service
Jason was extremely professional to deal with
Communication was very honest and upfront
The entire process went smoothly and problem free
Would happily engage in Jason’s Buisness again in the future
Heidi K.15 Oct 2025 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
Great work
Have used them for plaster wall and painting. The worker managed to match the exact colour I was looking for. Great service and quality. Highly recommend.
Rose Y.16 Nov 2025 · Word of Mouth
★★★★★
I would like to express my utmost gratitude and satisfaction with the exceptional services provided by jason and his company, 5j building group.
I highly recommend Jason and his team at 5J Building Group to anyone seeking reliable and effective real estate services. Their dedication to excellence and commitment to client satisfaction truly set them apart.
Yesreal R.22 Mar 2024 · Word of Mouth
Rated 5.0 ★ on Word of Mouth. Read all our reviews
About the area
Renovating in Clayton
Clayton sits about 18 km south-east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Monash. Its main shopping strip runs along Clayton Road, anchored by Clayton station at its northern end, and the Clayton Community Centre adds a pool, gym and health services.
With Monash University and major research institutions on its doorstep, Clayton has a younger, highly multicultural community. For renovators, that often means practical upgrades: more bedrooms and bathrooms, hard-wearing finishes and smart layouts, planned within Monash's tree controls and Victoria's garden area rules.
| Postcode | VIC 3168 |
|---|---|
| Council | City of Monash |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 18 km south-east |
| Area | 7.7 km² |
| Population | 18,988 (2021 Census) |
| State electorate | Clarinda and Oakleigh |
| Federal division | Hotham |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Oakleigh East, Mount Waverley, Notting Hill, Mulgrave, Clayton South, Springvale, Oakleigh South, Clarinda |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Notting Hill, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Planning and permits in Clayton
Clayton is in the City of Monash, so renovations are assessed under the Monash Planning Scheme and Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Clayton renovation.
Check your zone and overlays
Your zone and any overlays decide which rules apply. You can check them on Monash Council's online mapping tool or on VicPlan, including whether your property has a Vegetation Protection Overlay. We check this 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. Structural work also needs a building permit from a registered building surveyor, which we arrange.
Height and garden area limits
On lots of 400 m² or more, part of the block must stay as garden: 25% for 400–500 m², 30% for 500–650 m² and 35% above 650 m². In the Neighbourhood Residential Zone, homes are generally limited to 9 m and two storeys. These rules often decide how much extra floor space an extension can add.
Monash's tree controls
In Monash's residential zones, a planning permit is needed to remove or lop a canopy tree over 5 m tall with a 4 m canopy and a trunk circumference over 0.5 m, within 6 m of the front boundary or 4.5 m of the rear. Where a Vegetation Protection Overlay applies, trees over 10 m tall with a trunk circumference over 50 cm (at 1.2 m) are also protected. Dead trees are 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
Clayton renovation FAQs
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Clayton?
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. Structural work also needs a building permit. We check your property's zone and overlays early and manage the permits as part of the job.
Can I add a granny flat or extra rooms to my Clayton home?
Often, yes. Extra rooms are usually straightforward if you work within the garden area, setback and height rules, and Victoria's recent reforms have made small second dwellings easier to approve. We check your lot size, zone and overlays first, then recommend the option that adds the most value.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree before renovating in Clayton?
Sometimes. In Monash, a planning permit is needed to remove or lop a larger canopy tree near your front or rear boundary, and properties in a Vegetation Protection Overlay have extra controls. Dead trees are exempt. We check your trees at the design stage and build any permit into your timeline.
How much does a renovation in Clayton 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 Clayton?
Yes. We renovate across Monash and the surrounding suburbs, including Notting Hill, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley. 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 Clayton home?
Book a free on-site quote. We'll come to your Clayton property, talk through how you want to use it and give you a plan built around your budget.