Building and renovating

Domestic Building Insurance

Getting started with your building project

Before you begin building or renovating, it’s important to understand the process and make sure your project is properly insured.

Start by:

  • Learning how the building process works
  • Choosing a registered builder
  • Understanding your building contract
  • Knowing when Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is required

The Victorian Government’s step-by-step guide can walk you through the process. Consumer Affairs Victoria also offers helpful checklists and tools to support you along the way.

Before you sign a building contract

1. Choose a registered builder

Builders must be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission (formerly the Victorian Building Authority) to carry out domestic building work in Victoria.

Check your builder’s registration using our Practitioner Search tool

2. Review your contract carefully

  • Read the contract in full
  • Consider getting independent legal advice
  • Understand your rights around deposits and progress payments, visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for more information

3. Confirm your insurance

  • Ask your builder if they’ve purchased Domestic Building Insurance (DBI)
  • Your builder must give you a copy of the DBI Certificate of Insurance
  • You’ll also receive a digital copy by email once it’s issued

If you haven’t received it, contact your builder directly.

4. Sign the contract

Once you’ve confirmed your builder is registered and your project is insured:

  • Sign the contract
  • Ask for a full copy of the signed agreement
  • Keep it with your DBI certificate in a safe place

You’re now ready to start your project with confidence.

During your build

1. Stay informed and involved

  • Use Consumer Affairs Victoria’s checklists and advice
  • Keep open, regular communication with your builder
  • Record all agreements, payments and any project changes

2. If things don’t go to plan

If your builder:

  • Dies
  • Disappears
  • Becomes insolvent, or
  • Fails to comply with a VCAT or court order (for DBI policies issued on or after 1 July 2015). You may be eligible to make a DBI claim.

3. Emergency repairs

Need urgent work to prevent further damage? Read our emergency works guide.

4. Disputes and defects not covered by DBI

If your builder hasn’t died, disappeared, become insolvent, or ignored a VCAT order, but you have defective or incomplete work:

After your build is complete

When construction is finished:

  • Confirm all work has been completed to the standard in your contract
  • Make sure you’ve received your Certificate of Final Inspection or Occupancy Permit

If problems appear after completion

If your builder is unable to fix defects because they have:

  • Died
  • Disappeared
  • Become insolvent
  • Failed to comply with a VCAT order (policy issued from 1 July 2015). You may be eligible to make a claim under your DBI policy.

Your DBI cover lasts:

  • 2 years for non-structural defects
  • 6 years for structural defects

Need urgent repairs? Check your eligibility for emergency works.

If your issue isn’t covered by DBI

You can still get help if:

  • You have defective or incomplete work, or
  • You’re in a dispute with your builder, but DBI doesn’t apply

Contact our Dispute Resolution Service for free advice. You can also visit Consumer Affairs Victoria for information about resolving building

Owner builder FAQs