--- title: "Trades and Construction Business Valuation Melbourne" url: https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/trades-and-construction/ description: "Valuations for Melbourne builders, electricians, plumbers and civil contractors: WIP, retentions, plant and registration. From $1,495 + GST." updated: 2026-11-10 --- # Valuations for Melbourne builders and trade businesses, with WIP and retentions counted properly. For selling or buying a trade business, partner exits, family transfers and restructures, from domestic builders in the growth suburbs to commercial contractors. [Talk to a valuer (15 min)](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/contact/)[All industries](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/) A Melbourne trade or construction business is valued on the profit it can keep making once the owner is paid a market wage, plus or minus its working capital. Work in progress, retentions held by head contractors and money owed by clients can be a large part of what changes hands, so they are valued separately from goodwill. The valuer also checks who holds the registration or licence the business relies on, because if that person is leaving, a buyer has to replace them. ## Work in progress and retentions A builder or contractor mid-way through several jobs has money tied up in work done but not yet claimed, progress claims not yet paid, and retentions a head contractor is holding until practical completion or the end of the defects period. These are real assets but they are not goodwill. The valuation values them at what they are likely to bring in, allows for jobs running over budget, and separates them from the trading value. That split usually shapes the sale contract too, because the parties have to agree who collects what. Our signed reports are a fixed fee of $1,495 + GST for a small business and $2,495 + GST for a medium business, and every one is independently reviewed by a suitably qualified business valuer. A small-business report is delivered in 2 business days and a medium-business report in 3 business days. Delivery time starts once payment and all required information have been received. Business Valuations Melbourne is not a registered tax agent. Get a fixed fee[Ask the valuer first](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/contact/) ## Registration in Victoria and why it affects value Registration and licensing for Victorian builders and plumbers now sits with the BPC, the state regulator that began operating on 1 July 2025 and took over that work from the Victorian Building Authority. Registration controls what building work can lawfully be carried out. In a small trade business the registration is often held by the owner. If that owner is leaving, a buyer needs their own registration or a registered person in the business, and the valuation reflects the cost and risk of putting that in place. Whether a buyer qualifies is a question for the regulator, not the valuer. ## Order book, owner dependence and plant Signed contracts and recurring service and maintenance work are evidence of future revenue. Quotes are not. The valuer looks at how much work is contracted, how concentrated it is with one builder or developer, and how much of the work is won through the owner personally. Utes, excavators, scaffolding and tools are checked against market value, not just written-down book value, and where the business owns more plant than it needs, the extra is treated separately. ## Reasons Melbourne trade businesses are valued - Sale of the business to a competitor, employee or outside buyer - A partner or director leaving - Bringing a son, daughter or key employee into ownership - Moving the business into a new company or trust - Separating plant or property from the trading business - A dispute between owners about what a share is worth ## Common questions. Is work in progress included in the sale price? + It depends on the deal. Often the trading business is sold for one figure and work in progress, debtors and retentions are settled separately at completion. The valuation gives each figure on its own so the contract can be written either way. I hold the registration. Does the business have value without me? + It can, if the work, the team and the client relationships carry on under a new registered person. The valuation looks at how hard you would be to replace and allows for a handover period. If the business only works with you in it, the report says so. Do you need a separate plant valuation? + Not always. Recent appraisals or dealer quotes can be relied on and disclosed. For high-value plant without recent evidence, a specialist plant appraisal may be worth ordering, and the report states the basis used. What does it cost? + The fee is fixed before work starts and set by annual turnover: $1,495 + GST under $2 million, $2,495 + GST for $2 million to $3 million, $3,495 + GST for $3 million to $10 million, and a written quote above $10 million. Small reports take 2 business days and medium and large reports 3 business days, counted from when payment and all the information we need are in. Related industries - [Manufacturing Business Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/manufacturing/) - [Professional Services Firm Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/professional-services/) - [Hospitality Business Valuations in Melbourne](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/industries/hospitality-and-food-service/) Sources - [New BPC putting consumers first from day one (1 July 2025)](https://www.bpc.vic.gov.au/news/2025/new-bpc-putting-consumers-first-from-day-one), bpc.vic.gov.au - [Builder registration applications](https://www.bpc.vic.gov.au/builders/registration), bpc.vic.gov.au Talk to a valuer ## Tell us what you need valued. A fifteen-minute call confirms the package, the fixed fee and the delivery date, before you commit to anything. 03 8375 4177 Mon to Fri, 9am to 5:30pm Melbourne time Send the form and we reply within one business day. No documents needed to start. Small Business Valuation $1,495 + GST For a business with annual turnover under $2 million. Signed report in 2 business days. Delivery time starts once payment and all required information have been received. The fee is fixed in writing before we start and never tied to the outcome. Larger business? Tell us in the form and we recommend the right package. [All fees](https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/fees/) Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by Business Valuations Melbourne, Level 7, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne. --- Business Valuations Melbourne · Level 7, 55 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 · 03 8375 4177 · https://businessvaluationsmelbourne.com.au/start/