★★★★★
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
About 5J Building Group
Home renovation in Ivanhoe by a registered local builder
5J Building Group has been improving Melbourne homes for over 20 years, and our recent renovations in Kew, Balwyn and Doncaster sit just across the Yarra from Ivanhoe. As a registered domestic builder, we manage everything from single-room updates to full extensions and rebuilds.
Ivanhoe is a leafy, established suburb between the Yarra River and Darebin Creek. Its Upper Heidelberg Road shopping centre is mostly made up of buildings from 1915 to 1940, and the suburb has notable character homes, such as the grand domestic revival house Clarivue (1913), as well as the 1937 Heidelberg Town Hall, now part of the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub.
Owners here often want to keep the character of an older home while gaining a modern kitchen, extra bathrooms and living space that opens to the garden. We check heritage and tree controls first, then design, permit and build it, starting with a free quote at your home.
20+ years renovating Melbourne
Registered builder CDB-U 73492
Word of Mouth 2025 Service Award
Why 5J
Why Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe
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 Ivanhoe and across Melbourne.
Reviews
What our customers say
Real 5-star reviews from 5J Building Group customers on 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
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
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
Rated 5.0 ★ on Word of Mouth. Read all our reviews
About the area
Renovating in Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe sits about 9 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD in Banyule. Ivanhoe and Darebin stations provide train access, the Yarra River forms its southern boundary and Darebin Creek runs along the west.
Banyule says all its residential areas have tree protection overlays, and Ivanhoe includes a number of heritage-listed places and estates. For renovators, that means checking vegetation and heritage controls before design starts, particularly on larger, established blocks.
| Postcode | VIC 3079 |
|---|---|
| Council | Banyule City Council |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 9 km north-east |
| Area | 5.1 km² |
| Population | 13,374 (2021 Census) |
| State electorate | Ivanhoe |
| Federal division | Jagajaga |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Preston, Bellfield, Heidelberg, Eaglemont, Ivanhoe East, Kew East, Thornbury, Alphington |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Heidelberg, Kew, Bulleen and Balwyn. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Planning and permits in Ivanhoe
Ivanhoe is in the Banyule City Council, so renovations are assessed under the Banyule Planning Scheme and Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Ivanhoe renovation.
Check your zone and overlays
Your zone and any overlays decide which rules apply. Banyule Council recommends checking your property's controls on VicPlan, and heritage places are listed in the Banyule Planning Scheme schedule. 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. Banyule notes that many changes to heritage properties need one. Structural work also needs a building permit from a registered building surveyor, which we arrange.
Heritage places and estates
Heritage places in Banyule are listed in the Banyule Planning Scheme schedule and shown on the planning scheme maps, and Council says many changes to them need a planning permit. Council has also published heritage guidelines for the Ivanhoe Views Estate. State-significant places are on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Banyule's tree controls
Banyule says all its residential areas have tree protection overlays in the planning scheme, so removing or lopping a tree may need a permit depending on its size and species. Pruning a protected tree can also need one, depending on how much live canopy is removed. Council recommends checking the vegetation controls on VicPlan.
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
Ivanhoe renovation FAQs
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Ivanhoe?
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 Ivanhoe has a number of heritage-listed places and estates. Structural work also needs a building permit. We check your property's controls early and manage the permits as part of the job.
How do I know if my Ivanhoe home is heritage-listed?
Heritage places in Banyule are listed in the Heritage Overlay schedule of the Banyule Planning Scheme and shown on its maps, and state-significant places are on the Victorian Heritage Register. If your home is covered, many changes need a planning permit. We check this for you at the start of every project.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree before renovating in Ivanhoe?
Possibly. Banyule says all its residential areas have tree protection overlays, so removing, lopping or heavily pruning a tree may need a planning permit depending on its size and species. We check your trees at the design stage and build any permit into your timeline.
How much does a renovation in Ivanhoe 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 Ivanhoe?
Yes. We renovate across Banyule and the surrounding suburbs, including Heidelberg, Kew, Bulleen and Balwyn. 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 Ivanhoe home?
Book a free on-site quote. We'll come to your Ivanhoe home, check its heritage and tree controls and give you a renovation plan built around your budget.