Kew sits within the City of Boroondara, one of Melbourne's most prestigious and established municipalities. Wide, leafy streets, period homes with real architectural character, proximity to elite schools like Xavier College, MLC, and Carey Grammar, and a short commute to the CBD make Kew one of the most tightly held suburbs in Melbourne's inner east.
Craft Built Homes has built across Kew and Melbourne's inner east for years. We know the Boroondara planning process inside and out, we understand the heritage sensitivities and architectural expectations of the area, and we build homes that respect the streetscape while delivering exactly what you need behind the front door.
We talk through your goals, budget expectations, timeline, and what you're trying to achieve with your Kew property.
Steps We clarify what's involved, what's realistic for your block, and map out the best path forward, including plans, design, and council approvals through Boroondara.
We coordinate with your architect or designer, manage permits and planning approvals, and lock in the full build pathway before construction begins.
Detail-driven construction, steady communication, and a clean handover of your completed home that you'll be proud of.
Whether it's a custom home from the ground up, a full renovation that transforms how you live, or an extension that gives your family the space it needs, Craft Built Homes is here to make it happen.
Check the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) register at vba.vic.gov.au search by name or registration number to confirm the licence is current and covers domestic building work. Always ask for proof of domestic building warranty insurance before signing anything.
Many Kew properties sit under Heritage Overlay (HO) or Neighbourhood Character Overlay (NCO) controls managed by Boroondara Council. These can restrict demolition, limit building height, dictate roof forms and materials, and require retention of original facades. Check which overlays apply to your block at boroondara.vic.gov.au before you design anything.
Yes, and it produces better results. A builder involved from the early design stages can flag buildability issues before they become expensive, guide material selections, and prevent costly redesigns mid-construction. Always look for a builder with a proven track record of architect collaboration across Boroondara.
Your builder should be involved before you lodge with council not after. They review drawings for buildability, input on construction methodology, and help prepare documentation that supports a faster approval. Once the permit is issued, they manage the building permit, inspections, and compliance so nothing stalls.
Victorian law requires domestic building warranty insurance on all residential work above the prescribed threshold. This covers you for six years on structural defects and two years on non-structural defects after completion. Full details on your rights as a homeowner are at consumer.vic.gov.au.
Yes. always. Kew has reactive clay soils and rock, especially on sloped blocks. A geotechnical soil test gives your structural engineer the data needed to design the right foundation, whether that's a raft slab, pier-and-beam, or something else. Do it early so the results shape the design, not the other way around.
Construction typically takes 10 to 18 months depending on size and complexity. Add design, planning permit assessment (Boroondara Council typically takes 60–120 days), and pre-construction work, and the total timeline from first brief to handover is usually 18 to 30 months. Heritage or NCO sites can take longer due to additional council scrutiny.
Expect to start from around $4,000 per square metre for a high-quality custom build, with premium architect-designed homes often reaching $6,000–$8,000 per square metre or more. Costs shift based on site conditions, heritage requirements, finishes, and structural complexity. A fixed-price contract with a licensed builder gives you the clearest cost certainty.
Ask for their VBA registration number and current warranty insurance certificate. Request examples of completed homes in Boroondara, ask who will be on site daily, and confirm how variations are handled. Critically, ask whether they have direct experience building under Heritage Overlay or NCO controls in Kew. Not all builders do.
In most cases, yes. Demolition and new construction in Kew is subject to Boroondara Council's planning scheme, and most blocks carry at least one overlay, Heritage, NCO, or Vegetation Protection. Even when a planning permit isn't required, a building permit always is. Check with your builder and a local town planner early to confirm exactly what approvals your site needs.
