Check the Tradie

Guide · Queensland

How to check a builder before you sign

Five checks, in the order that catches most problems. All of them take a few minutes and none of them cost anything.

1. They hold the right licence class

In Queensland, building work valued over $3,300 needs a QBCC licence. Some work needs one at any price, including plumbing, drainage, gas fitting, chemical termite treatment and fire protection. Each licence class covers set work. A carpentry licence doesn’t cover plumbing, and a low-rise builder can’t build a five-storey block.

Search the business on this site and read What this licence covers. If the class doesn’t match the job, ask who will do that part of the work and check their licence too.

2. They can sign a contract with you

Only builder and trade contractor licences let someone contract directly with a home owner. Site supervisors, nominee supervisors and occupational licence holders are licensed to do or supervise the work, but only for a contractor. If the person quoting holds only one of those, the contract should be with the business they work for.

Every licence page here says plainly whether the licensee can sign a contract with you.

3. Home warranty insurance is taken out

For residential work over $3,300, your contractor must take out QBCC home warranty insurance for your job. They pay the premium, and must do so before work starts or within 10 business days of signing the contract, whichever comes first. You should get a certificate. If you don’t, ask QBCC.

4. The deposit is within the legal cap

QBCC sets the most a builder can ask for as a deposit:

There is one exception. If more than half the price is custom work made off site, such as made-to-measure cabinets or a shed kit, the deposit can be up to 20%.

A request for more than this is a reason to stop and ask questions.

5. The record is clean, today

Licence pages here show any suspension or cancellation in QBCC’s records since we started keeping them. QBCC’s files don’t give reasons, and suspensions are often lifted, so a record isn’t proof of anything on its own. Before you sign, confirm today’s status on QBCC’s licence search, which also shows details our data doesn’t have.

What the financial category means

Contractor licences carry a financial category. QBCC uses it to set the most a licensee can turn over each year, based on the financial information they give QBCC. A small category isn’t a warning sign, but a very large job from a contractor in a small category is worth a question.

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