★★★★★
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 Templestowe by a registered local builder
Manningham is familiar ground for 5J Building Group, with recent renovations in neighbouring Doncaster. We're a registered domestic builder that has spent more than 20 years improving Melbourne homes, from kitchen and bathroom updates to extensions and complete rebuilds.
Templestowe is a green, family suburb of gentle, rolling hills and forested gullies along the Yarra River. It was sparsely populated until suburban development began in earnest in the 1970s, so many of its homes are family houses from the 1970s onwards, often on generous blocks, that now need updating inside and out.
Typical projects include replacing dated kitchens and bathrooms, opening up closed-off living areas, adding a parents' retreat or creating a better connection to the garden and outdoor entertaining. We handle Manningham's planning checks, design, permits and construction, and the first consultation is free.
20+ years renovating Melbourne
Registered builder CDB-U 73492
Word of Mouth 2025 Service Award
Why 5J
Why Templestowe 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 Templestowe
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 Templestowe 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 Templestowe
Templestowe sits about 16 km north-east of the Melbourne CBD in the City of Manningham, with the Yarra River along its northern edge. There's no train line, so most residents drive, and the suburb offers large shopping centres alongside extensive parklands and creek trails.
Its rolling topography, established trees and river flats mean site conditions vary from street to street. For renovators, that makes it worth checking slope, drainage, canopy trees and any flood or landscape overlays before finalising a design.
| Postcode | VIC 3106 |
|---|---|
| Council | City of Manningham |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 16 km north-east |
| Area | Approx. 16.1 km² |
| Population | 16,966 (2021 Census) |
| Neighbouring suburbs | Templestowe Lower, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Park Orchards, Warrandyte |
We also renovate across nearby suburbs including Doncaster, Bulleen and Balwyn. See all suburbs we service.
Local planning
Planning and permits in Templestowe
Templestowe is in the City of Manningham, so renovations are assessed under the Manningham Planning Scheme and Victoria's building regulations. These are the controls we check most often before designing a Templestowe renovation.
Check your zone and overlays
Every property sits in a planning zone, and many also have overlays that add extra rules. You can look both up for free on Manningham Council's property map: search your address, then choose Planning Zones and Planning Overlays. 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.
Land near the Yarra and creeks
Some Templestowe land near the Yarra River floodplain and creek corridors can be covered by flood overlays, which Manningham uses to make sure new buildings and works sit above known flood levels. Council also lists earthworks as a possible permit trigger, which can matter on sloping sites.
Canopy trees
Since September 2025, removing or lopping a larger canopy tree on residential land in Manningham generally needs a planning permit under Victoria's canopy tree rules (Clause 52.37). Dead trees, weed species and routine maintenance pruning are usually exempt, and Manningham fast-tracks these applications through VicSmart.
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
Templestowe renovation FAQs
Do I need a permit to renovate my home in Templestowe?
It depends on the work. Extending a house usually only needs a planning permit if the lot is under 300 m² or an overlay applies, and some Manningham properties also need permits for earthworks or tree removal. Structural work also needs a building permit. We check your property's controls early and manage the permits as part of the job.
What renovations suit a 1970s or 1980s Templestowe home?
These homes are usually solidly built with good-sized rooms, so the best results often come from updating kitchens and bathrooms, removing walls to open up living areas, improving insulation and glazing, and connecting the house to the garden. We'll assess your home on site and recommend where to spend for the biggest improvement.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree before renovating in Templestowe?
Often, yes. Since September 2025, removing or lopping a larger canopy tree on a residential block in Manningham generally needs a planning permit under Victoria's canopy tree rules (Clause 52.37). Dead trees, weed species and routine maintenance pruning are usually exempt. We check your trees at the design stage and build any permit into your timeline.
How much does a renovation in Templestowe 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.
5J Blog
Renovation ideas and advice
Ready to renovate your Templestowe home?
Book a free on-site quote. We'll come to your Templestowe home, look at the site and give you a renovation plan built around your budget.