Owner building in Queensland: can you build it yourself?

An owner builder is a home owner who runs their own building project instead of hiring a builder to run it. Lots of people do it for a deck, a shed or an extension.

When do you need an owner builder permit?

You need a QBCC owner builder permit when the work is worth more than $11,000. The value counts materials and labour, and trade prices include GST. So a $9,000 deck kit plus $3,000 of help from a carpenter is over the limit.

The land has to be yours. That can mean land you own, land owned by a company you are a director of, or leased land where you have the owner’s permission. Some farm buildings have a higher limit of $27,500.

What can an owner builder do themselves?

A permit lets you manage the project and do the general building work. It does not let you do work that always needs a licence. You still need licensed tradies for:

• plumbing and drainage
• gas fitting
• electrical work
• chemical termite treatment

You are responsible for the whole job. That includes getting any building approval, booking inspections and making sure the work meets the building rules.

Things to weigh up first

• No home warranty. When a licensed contractor does work over $3,300 for you, they must pay for home warranty insurance. Work you do as an owner builder isn’t covered in the same way.
• Selling later. Buyers will want to know the work was done by an owner builder. Read QBCC’s rules on this before you start.
• Your time. Running a build means organising trades, materials and inspections, often for months.

If any of that sounds like too much, a builder with the right licence class can run the job for you. The Builder - Low Rise class covers most houses and extensions.

Before you start

Read QBCC’s owner builder pages in full, linked below. They set out how to apply, what it costs and your obligations.