About 5J Building Group
Mont Albert is surrounded by suburbs where we've worked recently, including Surrey Hills, Box Hill and Balwyn. 5J Building Group is a registered domestic builder with over two decades of experience renovating Melbourne homes, and we understand the care that early-1900s houses need.
Mont Albert is a small, elegant suburb of generously proportioned Edwardian, English Domestic Revival and Arts and Crafts homes, most dating from the early 1900s and set on large blocks. With Hamilton Street's shops, well-regarded schools and the new Union station entrance nearby, it's a suburb families rarely want to leave, which makes renovating rather than moving the natural choice.
Homes of this era need a light touch at the front and a smart plan at the back. We restore period details where they matter, add modern kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces that make the most of the garden, and confirm which council's rules apply before design. The first visit is free.
Why 5J
Two decades of renovating Melbourne homes means we know which materials suit which rooms, and where projects typically run into trouble.
Registered Domestic Builder (Unlimited), CDB-U 73492. You're dealing with an accountable, licensed builder, not a middleman.
We organise all the contractors and they work for us. They're vetted, professional and respectful of your home.
Every job starts with a free, customised quote built around your budget. What we quote is what you pay for.
Our project managers monitor every stage so your renovation is delivered on schedule and within the agreed budget.
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
Whether it's one room or the whole house, we handle design, approvals and construction under one contract.
Full-house renovations that modernise layout, finishes and function, including landscaping, driveways and fencing.
Learn more →Ground-floor and second-storey extensions that add space for a growing family without the cost of moving.
Learn more →Classic, modern and French provincial kitchens designed around how your family actually cooks and gathers.
Learn more →Ensuites, family bathrooms and laundries, from waterproofing and tiling through to final fit-off.
Learn more →Land selection, feasibility, planning, permits and construction for a brand-new home on your block.
Learn more →Self-contained small second dwellings, prefabricated or built on site, for family, guests or rental income.
Learn more →Recent work
A selection of recent 5J renovations in Mont Albert and across Melbourne.
Reviews
Real 5-star reviews from 5J Building Group customers on Word of Mouth.
Jason and team from 5J Building Group were engaged for a house reno with truly exceptional results. From start to finish the team were committed to the project, had high attention to detail and excellent workmanship with professional customer service.
We highly recommend Jason and team who delivered us a home that works for our family. We will be engaging the team on our next project.
This was my first experience with 5J BUILDING GROUP. They basically did a complete home renovation for me - bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, and painting. This was done "remotely", because I was live in China, but they did what I asked them to do, and did a good job! I give them the highest possible rating!
Jason is Very nice and easy to communicate. Their job is perfect.
I had a wonderful experience here. The team was very professional, friendly, and attentive to details. Everything was handled smoothly and efficiently, which made the whole process stress-free. I really appreciate their excellent service and would definitely recommend them to others
Rated 5.0 ★ on Word of Mouth. Read all our reviews
About the area
Mont Albert sits about 12 km east of the Melbourne CBD and straddles two councils, the City of Whitehorse and the City of Boroondara. Mont Albert station closed in 2023 as part of level crossing removal works, and the new Union station's northern entrance now serves the area.
Because the suburb is split between two councils, the planning rules for your renovation depend on which side of the boundary you're on. Heritage, tree and landscape controls differ between Whitehorse and Boroondara, so we confirm this first.
| Postcode | VIC 3127 |
|---|---|
| Council | City of Whitehorse and City of Boroondara |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 12 km east |
| Area | 1.6 km² |
| Population | 4,948 (2021 Census) |
| State electorate | Box Hill and Kew |
| Federal division | Menzies |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Mont Albert North, Box Hill North, Surrey Hills, Box Hill South, Balwyn, Box Hill |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Box Hill, Balwyn, Surrey Hills and Canterbury. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Mont Albert is split between the City of Whitehorse and the City of Boroondara, so renovations are assessed under whichever council's planning scheme applies to your address, plus Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Mont Albert renovation.
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.
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.
Mont Albert is split between Whitehorse and Boroondara. In Whitehorse, the Vegetation Protection Overlay protects trees with a trunk circumference of 50 cm or more at 1 m above ground. In Boroondara, the Tree Protection Local Law applies to canopy trees of 110 cm or more at 1.4 m, and heritage overlays are common. We confirm which council and controls apply before design.
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
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.
It depends on your address, because Mont Albert is split between the City of Whitehorse and the City of Boroondara. Each council has its own tree, landscape and heritage controls, so we check your property's council, zone and overlays before any design work starts.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. We renovate across Whitehorse and the surrounding suburbs, including Box Hill, Balwyn, Surrey Hills and Canterbury. You get the same team, the same trades and the same free on-site quote wherever you are.
5J Blog
Book a free on-site quote. We'll come to your Mont Albert home, confirm which controls apply and give you a renovation plan built around your budget.
