Taking out a wall can completely change how a Melbourne home feels: lighter, bigger, more social. But it’s not just a few swings of a sledgehammer. Wall removal Melbourne sits at the intersection of building permits, structural engineering, and careful construction. This guide walks through when it makes sense, the rules to follow, what the process actually looks like, and how much it typically costs so homeowners know exactly what to expect before they start opening up their space.
When Wall Removal Makes Sense
Typical Layout Changes In Melbourne Homes
Many Melbourne homes, Victorian terraces, post-war weatherboards, 70s brick veneers, and newer townhouses were designed around separate rooms. Removing or opening a wall can:
- Combine kitchen, dining, and living rooms for open-plan living.
- Create sightlines to the backyard, letting in northern light.
- Make narrow terraces feel wider by removing corridor walls or enlarging doorways.
- Improve accessibility, especially in older homes with tight rooms and steps.
See also: Why Every Cairns Home Deserves a Beautiful Outdoor Patio
Open-Plan Alternatives To Full Removal
Full demolition isn’t always necessary. Clever tweaks often deliver 80% of the benefit with less cost and paperwork:
- Widen a doorway into a broad casing.
- Create a pass-through/servery from the kitchen to the dining.
- Keep short “nib” walls to hide services or hold power points.
- Use pocket or barn doors for flexible separation.
- Consider glass partitions or steel-framed screens to share light while controlling noise.
Rules And Permits In Melbourne
Building Permits And The VBA
In Victoria, removing or altering a structural wall usually requires a building permit under the Building Act 1993 (Vic) and Building Regulations 2018 (Vic). A Relevant Building Surveyor (RBS) assesses plans for compliance with the NCC (BCA) and issues the permit. Key points:
- Structural changes need certified engineering documents and drawings.
- The builder must be a Registered Building Practitioner (Domestic Builder, Unlimited or appropriate Limited category) with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).
- Expect mandatory inspections during the works and a Certificate of Final Inspection or Occupancy Permit at the end (as applicable).
Non-structural, internal partition removals may not need a permit, but tread carefully. What looks “non-structural” sometimes carries load or fire-separation. Always confirm with a building surveyor or structural engineer before proceeding.
Planning Considerations And Heritage Overlays
Most internal alterations don’t need a planning permit. Exceptions include properties with a heritage overlay or special planning controls. If a Heritage Overlay covers a home in a council like Yarra, Port Phillip, or Stonnington, internal changes can sometimes trigger extra scrutiny, particularly where internal fabric contributes to significance. Always check with the local council’s planning team early to avoid delays.
Apartments, Strata, And Owners Corporations
For apartments and townhouses under an Owners Corporation, expect more steps:
- Obtain written approval from the owners’ corporation, especially for structural elements or services running in common property walls.
- Maintain fire-resistance levels (FRLs) for party walls and shafts.
- Observe building access rules, lift protection, noise hours, and rubbish removal requirements.
Apartment wall removal often has longer lead times due to approvals and access constraints.
Structural Considerations And Safety
Identifying Load-Bearing Walls
Clues that a wall may be load-bearing:
- It runs perpendicular to ceiling joists or roof rafters.
- It sits under another wall or a beam, or lines up with structural posts.
- It’s part of the central spine of older brick veneer homes or terrace party walls.
Because renovations over decades can blur the original structure, a site inspection by a structural engineer is the safest way to confirm the original design.
Engineer Assessments, Beams, And Temporary Support
A structural engineer will calculate loads and specify the beam, LVL, steel UB/UC, PFC, or a combination, plus post and footing requirements. During demolition, builders use temporary supports (e.g., Acrow props and strongbacks) to carry loads until the permanent beam and posts are installed. For wider spans or upper-story loads, expect:
- Heavier steel sections and possibly concealed flitch beams.
- New pad footings or enlarged bearers/stumps to transfer loads.
- Coordination with the building surveyor for staged inspections.
Services Relocation, Fire Safety, And Asbestos Risks
Walls often hide services. Before cutting, map and isolate:
- Electrical: power points, lighting circuits, data/NBN.
- Plumbing and gas: vent stacks, water, and gas lines.
- HVAC: ducts and returns: in apartments, common risers.
For pre‑1990s homes, assume potential asbestos in linings, eaves, or old adhesives. Only licensed removalists should handle asbestos, and they must have clearance certificates before reoccupation. Fire safety matters too; removing walls in multi-res buildings must preserve required fire separations, penetrations, and cavity barriers.
The Wall Removal Process
Site Preparation And Controlled Demolition
Good builders treat demolition like surgery, not a smash‑and‑grab:
- Protect floors and furniture: install dust barriers and negative air if needed.
- Confirm service isolation and reroute temporary circuits.
- Perform controlled cuts, starting with plaster removal to expose framing and services.
Installing Lintels Or Steel Beams And Posts
With temporary props in place, the team installs the specified beam and any posts. Connections matter: proper end bearing, bolted brackets, and corrosion protection for steel. Where possible, beams are concealed in the ceiling for a flush finish; otherwise, they can be boxed out and detailed as a feature.
Inspections, Compliance, And Final Finishes
The building surveyor inspects critical stages, then issues the final sign-off. After structure comes the “make-good” stage:
- Reframing, plastering, stopping, and sanding.
- Electrical and plumbing reconnections.
- Skirting/cornice matched to the existing, then paint.
The goal is a seamless transition, no tell‑tale bumps, cracks, or mismatched textures.
Costs And Timelines
Typical Price Ranges In Melbourne
Real-world ballparks (AUD, GST often excluded):
- Non-structural partition removal: $1,500–$4,000
- Standard opening in a load-bearing wall (single room span): $5,000–$12,000
- Large spans or multiple walls with steel beams/posts: $12,000–$25,000+
- Apartments/strata: add 10–25% for access, approvals, protection
Typical add-ons:
- Structural engineer: $800–$2,000
- Building permit and surveyor fees: $900–$2,500
- Services relocation (per trade): $300–$2,000
- Plaster, trims, and painting: $1,000–$5,000
- Skip bins and waste: $300–$800
- Asbestos testing/removal (if present): $500–$4,000+
Key Cost Drivers And Ways To Save
Costs rise with span length, load complexity (upper floors/roof loads), need for new footings, and service relocations. Apartments add time and labor for protection and logistics. To keep budgets in check:
- Opt for wider openings instead of full removal where possible.
- Combine multiple small changes into one permit/build to reduce setup costs.
- Clear access and protect your belongings yourself (if allowed) to save site hours.
- Choose standard paint and trim profiles for easier matching.
How Long Does It Take, From Permit To Paint
- Design and engineering: 1–2 weeks
- Permit issuance: 1–4 weeks (longer if heritage or complex)
- Demolition and structural install: 1–3 days for simple jobs, up to a week for larger spans
- Services, plaster, and finishes: 3–10 days (allow curing time between coats)
All up, wall removal in Melbourne typically runs 2–6 weeks end to end, or longer for apartments and heritage properties.
Choosing The Right Team
Licenses, Insurance, And Warranties To Check
- Builder: Registered Building Practitioner (Domestic Builder) with the VBA, appropriate class for structural alterations.
- Engineer: Registered professional engineer in Victoria for structural design.
- Insurances: Public liability and contract works. For domestic building work over $16,000, Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) is required, providing cover for structural defects for 6 years (and 2 years for non‑structural) if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent.
Comparing Quotes, Scope, And Contracts
Ask for detailed, apples‑to‑apples scopes covering:
- Engineering, permit fees, inspections, and compliance certificates.
- Beam type/size, post, and footing allowances.
- Make‑good inclusions: plaster, trims, paint matching.
- Service relocations and provisional sums.
Use a domestic building contract that sets milestones, a variations process, and timelines. The cheapest quote that skimps on permits or engineering usually costs more later.
Communication, Neighbors, And Site Management
Good operators plan noise windows, notify neighbors, and coordinate skips and deliveries. In strata buildings, insist on a works method statement, lift protection, and a dilapidation report for adjoining areas. Clear communication reduces surprises and disputes.
Conclusion
Wall removal in Melbourne can be a high‑impact upgrade when it’s engineered, permitted, and built properly. Start with a feasibility chat and a site inspection, lock in engineering, then let a registered builder manage permits and execution. The result: a lighter, more connected home, and peace of mind that it’s safe, compliant, and built to last.
