Building Permits For Melbourne Fitouts

Let us navigate the complexities of acquiring a building permit for your fitout.

What is a Building Permit and Why Do You Need One?

Before starting your fitout, your design needs to be approved by a relevant authority. A building permit is a document that certifies your proposed design is compliant with the building’s current regulations. 

In Victoria, approved permits are always issued by either a privately contracted or municipal building surveyor. Having a permit allows a business to commence fitout works on the property per the proposed plans. 

Building permits protect a business owner at every stage of their fitout build. It ensures your fitout provider is registered and insured. It ensures that all works are completed to code. And with a surveyor signed on to your project, all works will be assessed at every stage of the build, ensuring that the fitout is suitable for occupation upon completion.

Disclaimer: Our permit application service is only available to businesses who choose to build their fitout with us. Why Canopy Fitouts?

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Permit Application Process For Melbourne Fitouts

Building a fitout is a significant investment for any Melbourne business. Our permit application process is simple and optimised to the needs of your business.

  1. Hiring a Building Surveyor: A registered building surveyor is required to sign off on any permit. We have access to a network of building surveyors across various industries and can help find the right one for your fitout.
  2. Applying For a Permit: Once all design aspects are signed off, we present the fitout plan and blueprints to the building surveyor for approval. Surveyors can deny permission to build for a variety of reasons, which is why we’re extremely through at this stage. We’ll help you prepare all necessary and supporting documents, creating a strong and well-rounded application. 
  3. Approval: After the application is reviewed and approved, we commence work immediately on your fitout. 
  4. During the Build: The building surveyor reviews the progress of your build at every step of the way, ensuring the fitout is suitable for occupation after completion.
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A Headache-Free Application Process With Canopy

We complete hundreds of fitouts yearly in Melbourne, so we know the application process in and out. No matter your industry, we have a deep understanding of the key details a building surveyor will be looking out for in your permit application.

The Canopy Difference

  • We successfully complete over 100 building permits yearly.
  • We apply for the building permit on your behalf.
  • We help you find a building surveyor.
  • Regardless of industry, our fitouts are designed within exact approval specifications, making it easy for any building surveyor to sign off on your plans.
  • If the intended use of your space is changing, we’ll also help you prepare your change of occupancy permit.
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Book Your Free Consultation

Let our team bring your business to life. If you are ready to revolutionise your space and impress your clients and customers, enquire below or call us on 1800 434 868.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a building permit in Victoria?

Building permits usually take us about two weeks depending on the size and the scope of the work involved. In the rare case that Town Planning is required to start your fitout, we recommend consulting with a town planning expert prior to applying for a permit, as this may delay your approval.

When is a building permit required?

In almost all fitout projects, a building permit will be required. 

  • Alterations to egress (how you exit a building)
  • When you affect an essential service in a building, fire, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing 
  • Spend over 16k 
  • Or change the fire indices, things like the wrong carpet or flooring will affect how the building will react in case of fire.

How much does a building permit cost?

A building permit costs anywhere between $3000 - $8000. This does not include the building permit levy which varies based on the size of the space where works are to be carried out, topography, and the neighbourhood (among other things). 

How long does a building permit last in Victoria? 

After permit approval, applicants have up to 12 months to start their fitout. If more time is required, applicants can request an extension.

Canopy has been a pleasure to deal with over two projects to date. Karl is a masterful leader and his team are super professional and capable. Highly recommend!

Illan Samuel

Managing Director
Samuel Property

I met with Canopy on site, Karl Simity was on time, professional and provided many ideas. Karl promised a start and finish date, bearing in mind this was over the Christmas and New Year closure. Clearly this did not matter as the promised date was met. Canopy assigned CSV a Project Manager, Bernard Hostnjak. Nothing was a problem for Bernard, throughout the project, Bernard liaised with the building manager to ensure all safety regulations were met, he met builders on site, worked back when I needed something changed, when I had to make a few alterations to the original plan, Bernard ensured this was arranged promptly, and the job was completed to schedule.The ladies of the team, were always very helpful and when I had questions they were answered with no fuss, they went above and beyond and obtain further quotes for furniture for us.


To anyone wanting a fitout I would highly recommend Canopy Fitouts, the CSV Board, my team, and I could not be happier in our new space. Thank you to everyone involved!

Carmen Olson

Executive Officer
Consulting Surveyors Victoria

After using Canopy for our office fit out, we cannot recommend them highly enough. 
The team at Canopy are the best in the business and have been an absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish. 
We tasked Canopy with designing and fitting out our brand new office headquarters in Brighton.
The team took the old warehouse space and transformed it into what you see today, a modern, state-of-the-art office building complete with a showroom and a streamlined storage facility. 
We found Canopy to be totally cost-effective and extremely professional. Our entire experience with Canopy was a great success. We now have spectacular offices on a beautiful street in Brighton. We are very proud and grateful to the team.

Jan and Luke Hunter

Owners
Hunter Products

Opening our new business premises was a hugely stressful time for us but Karl, Sam and the team were with us every step of the way. We couldn’t have found a more incredible group of people to entrust our vision to. They worked to our budget, their communication throughout the process was exceptional and we were blown away with the final result. Even now, people comment daily on our studio interior and design, which we would never have realised with out Canopy Fitouts. We can’t wait to work with them again.

Graham Rock & Yvette Willison

Owners
Movement Studio Melbourne

Karl, Sam, Savannah and the team at Canopy were a dream to work with. Project was delivered on time, on budget and far exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended.

Peter Lofitis

Director
Lofts Quarries

Canopy would have to be the best  company I have dealt in all my business life. Karl and his team have completed two projects for us on time on budget and in fact exceeded every expectation we had. 

I have recommended to my friends and they come through every time. 

George Thalassinos

Owner
Giorgio Dental

I cannot recommend Canopy more highly – they were professional, easy to deal with and our project was delivered on time and on budget.  The fact that Canopy looked after the entire process meant that there were no unexpected surprises.  From the start of the planning stage, right through to design and build, the entire process was stress free.  Canopy’s designers listened to what we wanted and delivered a fit out which far exceeded our expectations.  Thank you Karl, Sam and the team. 

Natalie Franks

Owner
Health Legal and Law Compliance

Canopy was recommended to us not only for their quality of work, but also for their quality of service character. We recently completed the renovation phase of our project with Karl and team. We have been extremely pleased with their collaborative approach, transparency, pro-activity, and expertise. We were set up for a challenge as renovation works coincided with the lock-down period in March/April but the team has overcome it with their efficiency and delivered as promised.

Patrick Lim

Owner
Dux Coffee

Karl and the Canopy team were fantastic to work with. Working with an older building that threw us some surprises, Karl was clever and creative in finding the right solution. No request or challenge was ever too much or too difficult. The Canopy team were highly invested in our project and went above and beyond to provide us with a quality fitout on-time and on-budget. Now I just need to find another space so we can do it all again!

Eden Rose

General Manager
Our Community

Karl and the team were amazing from the initial scoping of the project to the design and then from the demo to build. The follow up post handover has been exemplary and super responsive. Will be using for all future projects and couldn't recommend more highly!

Paul Ghaie

Co-founder
Blackhearts & Sparrows

Canopy are incredible! We used them for our fitout of our new office and I cannot recommend them enough! They were extremely cost affordable compared to other companies and they did an exceptional job. Extremely professional, little to no issues or hassles, and they really cared about the outcome. They were extremely easy to deal with and their team is incredible. I cannot recommend them enough if you need to do any fit-out work. I will be recommending them to my friends and family without hesitation. Thank you so much guys!

Nathan Chan

CEO & Publisher
Foundr Magazine

Canopy Fitouts are my go-to designer, fit-out company and builders for their price competitiveness and quality of work. Delivery of projects are on-time and always to an exceptionally high standard.
Karl and the Team are always there every step of the way to ensure that any changes, queries or issues are met to our requirements and wants!
The design / transformation of all our projects never ceases to amaze me and a real testament to Karl and the stellar Team at Canopy Fitouts

Property Manager
Goodman Property Services

Karl and his team at Canopy are first class. As a relatively new and growing business tackling our first major fitout they were very flexible and attentive. The entire process has been seamless and the project management team did an amazing job. Highly recommend and look forward to working with Canopy again.

Miles Bellman

Chief Operating Officer
Blackmore Capital

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