Building, renovating or even just getting a repair done on your home can be a daunting process. Knowing your rights and the builder’s responsibilities can help it feel less overwhelming. With stricter laws about builders activities and enforcement coming into effect, now’s the time to understand your rights when hiring builders and tradespeople.

Do your research

Before you settle on a builder or tradesperson, take the time to look for the best deal. Get a written quote from a few different tradespeople to compare. Make sure the quote includes everything, so you know what you are being charged for and won’t end up paying more.

Check reputation and licence

Even if a builder or tradie is offering the cheapest price, they might not be the best choice. It’s a good idea to check their reputation before you work with them. Ask family or friends for recommendations, read independent online reviews or ask to see examples of their previous work. You should also make sure the builder, plumber, gas fitter or electrician is licensed to do the required work.

You can search for their licence on the Consumer and Business Services licensing register.

Building indemnity insurance

For major projects costing $20,000 or more, your builder must take out building indemnity insurance before they start work. This protects you if they can’t complete the work or fix defects within five years due to bankruptcy, disappearance, or death. Your builder should provide you and the local council with a copy of the building indemnity insurance. To confirm it’s valid, you can contact the insurance provider or look it up online by following instructions at www.bii.sa.gov.au.

Find more information about building indemnity insurance on the sa.gov.au website.

Contracts

Don’t rely on verbal promises from your builder or tradesperson and make sure that everything is documented. It’s always a good idea to have a written agreement signed by both you and the builder/tradesperson, in case anything goes wrong.

Before you sign the contract, read it carefully to make sure it covers everything it should and that there are no surprises. If something doesn’t make sense, ask your builder to explain it, or get legal advice.

Build progress/timeline

Once building work has started, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on its progress. If work falls behind schedule without a valid reason, such as bad weather, raise it with your builder. Openly communicating with your builder lessens the chance of having a dispute with them.

What to do if you have a dispute

If a dispute with your builder can’t be resolved directly, help is available. Contact Consumer and Business Services for advice if written requests haven’t worked, you can’t reach them, or they may be in financial difficulty.

More information

If you want to know more about protecting your rights when building, renovating or getting repairs done to your home, read the Building extending and renovating a home consumer guide.