Suburb

Building Surveyors – Cranbourne

Building permits, inspections and sign-⁠off for new homes, extensions, sheds, retaining walls and small commercial work across Cranbourne and the City of Casey.

Get a fixed-fee quote (03) 9802 9459We reply as soon as we can — typically within two business days.

Building or renovating in Cranbourne involves council regulations and compliance checks, and the approval process is simpler when the surveyor knows the area. Cornerstone works with homeowners, builders and developers in Cranbourne to secure building permits, carry out the mandatory inspections, and make sure projects meet the National Construction Code and the Victorian Building Regulations.

Whether you need a building surveyor for a new home, a townhouse development, a shed or garage, a retaining wall or a house extension, you get clear advice, a fixed fee and one practice from permit to sign-off.

Local knowledge in Cranbourne

We’re familiar with the City of Casey’s requirements and the types of projects common in the area. Cranbourne has a mix of new housing estates, established family homes and semi-rural blocks, as well as townhouse and unit developments near the town centre. We regularly work on house extensions, dual occupancies, knock-down rebuilds, sheds and garages on larger blocks, and small commercial fit-outs — which gives us the insight needed to get approvals through with fast turnaround times and keep your project moving.

What we do in Cranbourne

Building permits — new homes, extensions, renovations, sheds, garages, retaining walls, verandahs and decks
House extension approvals — assessment and permits for additions and upgrades
Inspections — the mandatory inspections for your job; which ones depend on the job and are confirmed when we quote
Occupancy permits and certificates of final inspection
Compliance advice — siting, report and consent, and what the Regulations actually require
Consulting — advice on applications, planning overlays and council referrals

Why builders in Cranbourne use Cornerstone

A registered building surveyor working across Victoria
Experience with the City of Casey and its planning overlays
Fast turnaround times and thorough, on-time inspections
Fixed fees and practical advice
Support for homeowners, builders and developers alike

How it works

Initial consultation — we review the project details and confirm what’s needed
Permit application — documents prepared and lodged
Compliance review — assessment against the NCC, the Regulations and council requirements
Permit approval — issued with fast turnaround times, no sitting on files
Inspections and certification — every mandatory stage through to the occupancy permit

Nearby

We support projects across Cranbourne and nearby suburbs in Melbourne’s south-east, including Dandenong, Berwick, Pakenham, Clyde and Narre Warren. Beyond these, we work across the eastern, western and northern suburbs of Melbourne, and across regional Victoria.

Services in Cranbourne

What we permit here

Every class of work, fixed fee, one practice from permit to sign-off.

New home permits

Building permits, mandatory inspections and occupancy permits for new homes, dual occupancies and townhouses — one practice from the first drawing to the day you move in.

Every new dwelling needs a building permit before work starts, staged inspections during the build and an occupancy permit at the end.

Multi-⁠unit development permits

Building permits, mandatory inspections and staged occupancy permits for dual occupancies, townhouse rows and small apartment buildings — one practice and one fixed fee per job.

Every new dwelling needs a building permit before work starts, and two or more on a lot almost always need a planning permit first.

Shed & garage permits

Garden sheds, workshops, farm sheds and garages — permits issued for a fixed fee — contact us and we'll tell you whether you need one at all.

Permit usually needed over 10 m², near a boundary, or with a slab and power.

Retaining wall permits

Sleeper, block, boulder and concrete retaining walls — permits, engineer's design checks and inspections for a fixed fee, with a free answer on whether your wall needs one.

Permit needed at 1 m or more, near a boundary, or when the wall holds up a driveway, structure, pool or a neighbour's ground.

Verandah, pergola, carport & deck permits

Roofed verandahs, alfresco roofs, open pergolas, carports and decks — we tell you for free whether yours is exempt, check the siting, and issue the permit for a fixed fee if it needs one.

Permit usually needed for a roofed or attached structure, a carport or a deck. Small open pergolas can be exempt.

Demolition permits

Demolition permits for knock-down rebuilds, outbuildings and partial demolition — Section 29A consent, services and asbestos lined up in the right order, for a fixed fee quoted up front.

Permit needed to knock down a house, most outbuildings or part of a building. Council Section 29A consent comes first.

Commercial fit-⁠out permits

Building permits, occupancy permits and change-of-use assessments for shop, office and warehouse fit-outs — one practice, fixed fee, fast turnaround times.

Permit needed for new walls, ceilings, amenities, exits, fire separation or a change of use.

Extensions & renovations

Ground-floor extensions, second storeys, structural renovations and dual-occupancy conversions — building permit, mandatory inspections and final sign-off from one practice, for a fixed fee.

Permit needed for extensions, second storeys, removing load-bearing walls and most structural changes. Cosmetic work usually not.

What clients say

Cornerstone Building Surveyors have been a great asset throughout our building process. Frank, in particular, has been excellent to deal with — professional, prompt, and always willing to offer clear guidance and support. His experience and attention to detail make the construction process a smooth and easy trip to completion. Highly recommend Cornerstone to anyone in the building industry looking for reliable and efficient surveyors.

TomCon HomesBuilder

FAQ

Building permits in Cranbourne: common questions

Short answers. If yours isn't here, ask us directly — it's usually a one-line reply.

01Do I need a building permit in Cranbourne?

Yes, for most work. New builds, extensions, garages, most sheds, retaining walls a metre or more and many verandahs and decks need a permit issued by a registered building surveyor. Small freestanding structures can be exempt, but the exemptions have conditions — send us the details and we'll confirm.

02What's the role of a private building inspector?

A private (registered) building surveyor provides independent assessment and inspections so your project is safe, compliant and completed to the required standard. You appoint us directly rather than going through council.

03How much does a building surveyor cost in Cranbourne?

It depends on the size and class of work. Cornerstone quotes a fixed fee up front that covers the assessment, the permit and the mandatory inspections, so you know exactly what to expect.

04Do you service areas outside Cranbourne?

Yes. We work across south-⁠east Melbourne — Dandenong, Berwick, Pakenham, Clyde and surrounds — and across the rest of Melbourne and regional Victoria.

05Do I need a permit for a verandah or pergola in Cranbourne?

Usually, yes. A verandah, carport or deck attached to the house is assessed as an addition to the house and needs a building permit issued by a registered building surveyor, whatever its size. An open pergola with no solid roof can be exempt if it stays inside the size, height and front-⁠setback limits; put a polycarbonate or metal roof on it and the exemption falls away. On the newer Cranbourne estate lots the building envelope and the developer's design guidelines apply on top, and on an older semi-⁠rural block it is the boundary setbacks that decide it. Send us the supplier's drawings and a site plan and we will tell you for free before you order.

Get a quote

Building in Cranbourne? Send the plans.

No drawings yet? Send what you have — an address and a rough idea is enough to tell you whether you need a permit and what it'll cost.

Request a quote

(03) 9802 9459Mon–Fri, 9:00 am – 5:00 pmWe reply as soon as we can — typically within two business days.