Renovation FAQs
Everything You Want to Know
Planning a renovation comes with a lot of questions — about cost, timeline, process, and what to expect. We've answered the most common ones below, as honestly as we can. If your question isn't here, call Ben directly on 0431 356 404 or send us an enquiry — we're happy to talk through your project at any stage.
-
It starts with a free on-site consultation — we come to your home, walk through the space, and discuss what you want to achieve. From there, we prepare a detailed, fixed-price quote. Once you accept the quote, we schedule your project start and coordinate all trades — plumbing, electrical, tiling, carpentry, and any others required. You have one point of contact throughout the entire project: us. We provide regular updates and handle everything through to the final walkthrough and handover.
-
For most kitchen, bathroom, and standard deck renovations, a building permit is not required. For home extensions, elevated decks, and structural alterations, a building permit is required — and may also trigger a planning permit from City of Greater Bendigo. We'll assess what your project needs at the quote stage, explain the process clearly, and help coordinate the right professionals to manage your permit application. You won't be left figuring it out on your own.
-
Yes, always. We use a trusted network of local Bendigo tradespeople including LTR Plumbing, All Tech Electrical, KW Kitchens Bendigo, and tilers we've worked with for years. Every trade we use has been vetted by us and consistently delivers the standard of work our clients expect. You're not getting anonymous subcontractors sourced from a job board — you're getting our team.
-
It's very rare, but if an issue arises, you contact us directly and we fix it. All our tradespeople carry public liability insurance, and we stand behind the quality of every project we complete. Ben Massey is personally accountable for the work on every job — this isn't a company where problems disappear into a call centre. If something needs attention after handover, call Ben directly on 0431 356 404 and we'll arrange to address it promptly.
-
You don't need to be home every day, but we recommend being available for the first day of work and for key decision points (material selections, layout confirmations). We'll brief you on daily access requirements before we start. For bathroom and kitchen renovations in particular, we discuss logistics with you upfront so the disruption to your daily routine is minimised.
Renovation Process
-
Yes. All Massey Constructions quotes are fixed-price — the amount we quote is the amount you pay, subject only to changes that you specifically request during the project. We don't present a low quote to win the job and then add variations throughout the project. We'd rather quote accurately upfront than manage a difficult conversation halfway through a renovation.
-
Yes — your initial on-site consultation and quote are completely free. We visit your home, assess the project, discuss your requirements, and provide a detailed written quote at no charge. There's no obligation to proceed.
-
The main cost drivers are: the size of the space being renovated; the quality of materials and fixtures you choose; whether the layout is changing (which affects plumbing and electrical costs); whether structural work is required; and the complexity of access and site conditions. At your consultation, we'll explain what's driving cost in your specific project and where you can make choices that affect the budget.
-
We structure payments in stages aligned to project milestones — typically a deposit, mid-renovation progress payment, and final payment on completion. We discuss payment terms at the quote stage. We don't offer external finance, but the staged payment structure means you're never paying for work that hasn't been done yet.
-
Ben Massey has been building and renovating homes in Bendigo and Central Victoria for more than 10 years. Massey Constructions is a local Bendigo business — not a franchise, not a large-volume company. Ben runs every project personally, which means the person who quotes your job is the same person who shows up and manages the project.
-
Yes. All Massey Constructions tradespeople carry public liability insurance. Our regular trade partners — LTR Plumbing, All Tech Electrical, KW Kitchens Bendigo, and our tiling team — also carry their own trade liability insurance. We can confirm the relevant insurance details for your specific project at the quote stage.
-
We service Bendigo and all surrounding suburbs and towns across Central Victoria. This includes but is not limited to: Kangaroo Flat, Golden Square, Strathdale, Eaglehawk, Strathfieldsaye, White Hills, Long Gully, California Gully, Epsom, Junortoun, Axedale, Castlemaine, Kyneton, Maryborough, and surrounding areas. If you're not sure whether we cover your location, just call — we likely do.
-
Yes. Our Recent Builds gallery on this website shows real Massey Constructions projects — not stock images. You can also find project photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages. If you'd like to see a specific type of work (e.g. a bathroom similar to what you're planning), ask Ben at your consultation and he can show you comparable completed jobs.
-
In most cases, Massey Constructions can begin work within two weeks of your quote being accepted and a deposit being received. This is one of the things that genuinely sets us apart — you won't be waiting months on a booking list. Timeline varies depending on current workload and the permit requirements of your project; your exact start date is confirmed at the time of booking.
-
It depends on the scope. A bathroom renovation typically takes 2–3 weeks. A kitchen renovation takes 2–4 weeks. A new deck takes 1–2 weeks. Home extensions take 3–6+ months depending on size and permit timelines. We provide a specific project timeline in your written quote so you can plan accordingly.
-
We communicate proactively. If a delay arises due to material lead times, weather (for outdoor projects), or trade scheduling, we'll contact you as soon as we know and update your timeline. We don't leave clients to wonder what's happening. Where delays are caused by issues outside our control, we manage the schedule to minimise their impact.
-
A full kitchen renovation with Massey Constructions includes: on-site consultation and design discussion; demolition and removal of the existing kitchen; custom cabinetry installation; benchtop supply and installation; splashback installation; sink and tapware; plumbing for sink and dishwasher; electrical for lighting, rangehood, and appliances; tiling where required; painting; appliance integration; and a final clean and walkthrough. We also handle any permits required for your project.
-
A complete bathroom renovation includes: consultation and design; demolition and strip-out; compliant waterproofing; plumbing (shower, bath, toilet, vanity); tiling (floor and walls); vanity, mirror, and storage installation; shower screen or frameless glass; electrical (lighting, exhaust fan, heated towel rail); and final clean and handover. Optional additions include underfloor heating and freestanding baths. We manage all permits and trade coordination.
-
We work with Australian hardwood timber (Merbau, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt), treated pine, and composite decking options. The right choice depends on your budget, maintenance preferences, and the look you want to achieve. We source timber locally from Bendigo Timber where possible. At your consultation, we'll walk through the options and give you honest advice.
-
Yes, and we'd generally recommend doing them together if you're planning both. It's more cost-efficient, the design integration is better, and it minimises the disruption of having the outdoor area under construction twice. Let us know at the consultation and we'll include the full scope in your quote.
-
Yes. Massey Constructions handles commercial renovations and fit-outs in Bendigo — hospitality venues, retail shopfronts, office spaces, and similar. We coordinate all trades in-house and work to a fixed price. See our Commercial Renovations page for more detail.
-
Not necessarily. If you have a second bathroom, you can comfortably remain at home throughout. If your only bathroom is being renovated, we can prioritise getting the toilet operational early in the project, and we'll discuss logistics with you upfront so you can make arrangements for the period when the full bathroom is unavailable. Most clients manage to stay at home throughout.
-
We handle all material sourcing unless you have a specific preference for a product you'd like to supply yourself (for example, a light fitting or tapware set you've already purchased). For most projects, we source everything through our established supplier relationships — which means better pricing, guaranteed availability, and materials we know are quality. If you want to supply any items yourself, tell us at the quote stage so we can allow for this.
-
Call Ben on 0431 356 404, email admin@masseyconstructions.com, or submit an enquiry form on this website. We'll arrange an on-site consultation at a time that suits you — usually within a few days of your first contact. The consultation is free and there's no obligation to proceed.