Melbourne's Trusted Builderfor Structural, Heritage &High-End Renovation Work
4.9★ on Google from 73 reviews · 15 years experience
Across Melbourne's inner north and inner east, led by a licensed Registered Building Practitioner. Every project is properly scoped before construction starts.Renovations & Extensions · Heritage Restoration · Rectification & Structural · Property Maintenance
McDowell Building & Construction
McDowell Building & Construction is a Melbourne building company led by a licensed Registered Building Practitioner with 15 years of experience. Based in Melbourne's inner north, the team specialises in extensions and alterations, renovations, heritage restoration and structural rectification for homeowners who want a project properly scoped before a hammer is picked up. Renovation and extension projects run through a clear, staged process built to protect the budget, not guess at it.
Our Services
McDowell Building & Construction covers four core areas of work across Melbourne's inner north and inner east, each led by a licensed Registered Building Practitioner from the first conversation through to final handover.
Renovations & Extensions · Heritage Restoration · Rectification & Structural · Property Maintenance
Renovations & Extensions
Extensions, alterations and full home renovations, plus bathroom, kitchen and laundry renovations, each planned around a detailed scope so the budget holds from proposal through to practical completion.
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Heritage Restoration
Careful restoration of Melbourne's character homes and heritage buildings, balancing original detail with the structural work needed to bring them back to life.
Learn moreRectification & Structural
Structural wall removals, water ingress and balcony remediation, and concrete and facade remediation, engineered and scoped properly before work begins.
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Property Maintenance
Licensed structural and remedial maintenance for body corporates, property managers and past clients, work most maintenance operators aren't qualified to take on.
Learn moreNot sure where to start? Every project starts with a free 20-minute discovery call.
Book a call with our teamHow We Work
Renovation and extension projects run through a staged OPC and PCA process. It starts with a free discovery call, moves into an Opinion of Probable Cost so the budget is realistic from day one, and only then into a detailed Pre-Construction Agreement. Rectification and maintenance work is assessed and costed individually. Either way, the budget is protected before construction starts, not after.
Discovery Call
Every project starts with a free 20-minute discovery call with the McDowell team.
Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC)
The OPC is a paid, early-stage budgeting service, not a final quote.
On-Site Consultation
Before the Pre-Construction Agreement begins, the McDowell team can visit the property for a free on-site consultation.
Pre-Construction Agreement (PCA)
The PCA is where the real detail gets built.
Proposal Review
Once the PCA is complete, the team sits down with the homeowner and steps through the detailed proposal together.
Building Contract & Construction
Once the proposal is approved, McDowell Building & Construction prepares a standard HIA building contract and schedules construction.
Why There's a Fee Before the Free Consultation
It might seem unusual that the OPC comes before a free site visit, rather than after one. The reasoning is straightforward: proper scoping takes real time and real expertise, and that only happens once a homeowner has shown they're genuinely ready to move forward. A free, instant estimate can only ever be a guess, because nobody has actually sat down and worked through the site conditions, the structural implications or the real cost of materials and trades.
Featured Work
What Our Clients Say
“We recently had a pergola extension completed by Pat at McDowell Building and Construction, and we couldn't be happier with the result. From the initial consultation through to the final touches, Pat and his team were professional, punctual, and a pleasure to deal with...”
“Patrick and his team were a dream to work with! They have an incredible eye for detail and ensure the final product is of the highest quality. We could not fault their communication...”
“The McDowell team were great to deal with through what I anticipated would be an extremely stressful process since it began as a fact finding mission and developed into (what we considered substantial building works). Patrick explained each finding as we went and gave us options as to what we could do, understanding budget constraints etc...”
“We would HIGHLY recommend Patrick and the team. Right from the first meeting through to hand over, they were great communicators, amazing workmanship and provided much needed guidance during 2 projects now. We also enjoy the regular banter with the broader team! A must to call before you build!”
Where We Work
McDowell Building & Construction is based in Melbourne's inner north and works regularly across Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Coburg, Northcote, Thornbury and Preston. The team is also taking on more projects further into the inner east, including Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Balwyn, and will travel for the right character home project further afield.
See all service areas01Does McDowell Building & Construction offer free quotes?
No. McDowell Building & Construction starts with a free 20-minute discovery call, not an instant free quote. For renovation and extension projects, an Opinion of Probable Cost (OPC) is then prepared for a fixed fee, giving homeowners a realistic budget range before any design work or detailed pricing begins. Rectification and maintenance work is assessed and costed individually. This upfront investment means the numbers are properly researched, not guessed at over the phone. Full detail on how the process works is on the Our Process page.
02What suburbs does McDowell Building & Construction service?
McDowell Building & Construction is based in Melbourne's inner north and works regularly across Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Coburg, Northcote, Thornbury and Preston, with projects also underway further into the inner east. The team is happy to travel further for the right character home or structural project. Homeowners outside these areas are encouraged to get in touch, since every enquiry is assessed on the project itself, not the postcode it comes from.
03Is McDowell Building & Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. McDowell Building & Construction is fully insured, led by a Registered Building Practitioner and an HIA member. The business also holds current registration with the Building and Plumbing Commission, the regulator that replaced the Victorian Building Authority. Licensing matters most on structural and rectification work, where unqualified operators legally cannot sign off on the job.
04How long does it take to get started on a project?
Most projects begin with a free 20-minute discovery call, usually available within a few business days of enquiry. If the project is a renovation or extension, an Opinion of Probable Cost typically takes 3 to 7 business days to prepare, followed by a Pre-Construction Agreement. The PCA timeframe is confirmed per project and recorded in the signed PCA agreement. The exact timeline depends on how ready the project is to be scoped.
Answers before you commit
Guides and articles from the McDowell Building & Construction team.
Second Storey Home Additions and Extensions in Melbourne
The Ultimate Pre-Construction Checklist for 2026
Top Home Renovation Trends in Melbourne for 2026
Guide to House Renovation: Checklist for Australian Homes
How Much Does A Bathroom Renovation Cost in Melbourne?
11 Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes to Avoid
Ready to Start the Conversation?
Book a free 20-minute discovery call with the team. There's no cost, and it's the real first step, not an instant quote.