Data sourced from public government registers. Always verify directly with Access Canberra before making hiring decisions. Read full disclaimer.

Licensed Builders in Canberra, ACT

8986 Verified Browse all verified licensed builders serving Canberra and surrounding suburbs.
Data last updated: 17 February 2026 from Access Canberra register

Builder Directory — Canberra, ACT

JAMES DAVID PENNEYExpired
Licence20211232
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES DONALD GARDNERExpired
Licence2022594
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES DOUGLASExpired
Licence199911708
ClassClass B
JAMES DOUGLAS ASHTONExpired
Licence2014859
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES EDMUND CORKHILLActive
Licence1971132
ClassClass B
JAMES EDWARD SARAHExpired
Licence2016146
ClassClass A
JAMES FLETCHERExpired
Licence20211591
ClassClass C
JAMES FOLKExpired
Licence2011774
ClassClass C
JAMES HOURIGANActive
Licence20091108
ClassUnrestricted
JAMES HUBBARDActive
Licence2021178
ClassClass C
JAMES HUDSONActive
Licence2023285
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES JOHN DavisExpired
Licence2017572
ClassClass C
JAMES JOSEPH GRANEROActive
Licence202692
ClassClass B
JAMES JOSEPH HANRAHANExpired
Licence19761313
ClassClass A
JAMES KEITH DALEActive
Licence2011478
ClassClass A
JAMES KENNETH EDWIN ELLIOTExpired
Licence2022635
ClassClass B
JAMES KHALLOUFExpired
Licence20231320
ClassClass A
JAMES KIWIExpired
Licence20181255
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES LAWLESSExpired
Licence2017223
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES LEO BUSHActive
Licence2012314
ClassClass B
JAMES LUKE BARACActive
Licence2010421
ClassClass A
JAMES MARTIN MOUATExpired
Licence2017140
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MAXWELL BARRETTExpired
Licence2014532
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MCDOUGALLActive
Licence2020425
ClassUnrestricted
JAMES MCINTOSHActive
Licence20211149
ClassClass A
JAMES MCLAUGHLINExpired
Licence20241165
ClassClass A
JAMES MEDWAYExpired
Licence2015728
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MELIActive
Licence2009235
ClassClass C
JAMES MICHAEL CONNORActive
Licence2015788
ClassClass C
JAMES MICHAEL JOHN LEEExpired
Licence20141106
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MICHAEL LAWSONActive
Licence2014601
ClassClass A
JAMES MICHAEL MEDWAYExpired
Licence2017796
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MICHAEL WALSHExpired
Licence2014496
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MILLERActive
Licence2021732
ClassClass D
JAMES MOLONEYExpired
Licence2019181
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES MURPHYActive
Licence20251030
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES O'DONNELLActive
Licence200970
ClassClass D
JAMES ORMOND FIELDExpired
Licence20231157
ClassClass C
JAMES PATRICK DARVILLEActive
Licence20131192
ClassClass C
JAMES PETER FRICKERExpired
Licence20131094
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES PETTIGREWExpired
Licence20131160
ClassClass A
JAMES PHILIP ArnotActive
Licence20121409
ClassClass A
JAMES PHILIP KELMANSONActive
Licence20241043
ClassClass A
JAMES PHILLIP BLACKActive
Licence2007420
ClassClass A
JAMES PHILLIP BRIAN DOUGLASExpired
Licence201725
ClassClass A
JAMES PRESNEILLExpired
Licence2022596
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES RAYMOND KNOWLESExpired
Licence2021877
ClassClass A
JAMES RAYMOND PATENExpired
Licence1972559
ClassClass B
JAMES ROBERT BRUCE ANDERSONExpired
Licence20141121
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES ROBERT JEFFREY BOUCHERActive
Licence19947141
ClassClass B
JAMES ROBERT KellyActive
Licence20251587
ClassClass B
JAMES ROBERT SELKIRKExpired
Licence20151221
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES RONALD BODSWORTHExpired
Licence199711027
ClassClass D
JAMES RONALD MORRISONExpired
Licence2015889
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES RUSSELLActive
Licence2024942
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES RUSSELL FINDLAYExpired
Licence2012331
ClassClass A
JAMES SAFFERYExpired
Licence2021870
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES SEDGWICKExpired
Licence2017327
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES SEGALExpired
Licence20131083
ClassClass B
JAMES SHARROCKExpired
Licence20201150
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES SHONKExpired
Licence20161079
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES STEVEN FREESTUNActive
Licence2023502
ClassClass A
JAMES STUART BRANDONExpired
Licence2016354
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES TASMAN EDWARD TURNERActive
Licence20121446
ClassClass B
JAMES TERRANT WalkerExpired
Licence2015893
ClassClass C
JAMES THOMAS BERRELLExpired
Licence2014768
ClassOwner Builder
JAMES THOMAS LEWRYActive
Licence20101019
ClassClass A
JAMES WalkerActive
Licence2023962
ClassClass A
JAMES WILLIAM HEGERTYExpired
Licence20231341
ClassClass C
JAMES-THOMAS HAWCROFTActive
Licence2016236
ClassClass C
JAMIE BONNEFINActive
Licence2017512
ClassClass A - Energy Efficiency
JAMIE CRAIGActive
Licence20181245
ClassClass A - Energy Efficiency
JAMIE CROOKESActive
Licence2013783
ClassClass A
JAMIE GianchouActive
Licence201341
ClassClass C
JAMIE GORDONExpired
Licence2021864
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE HOLZMANNExpired
Licence2016835
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE LEE TOWERSActive
Licence20251142
ClassClass B
JAMIE MACGREGORExpired
Licence20181271
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE MICHAEL XIRAKISActive
Licence200112246
ClassClass B
JAMIE NEIL PRIESTLYExpired
Licence20181
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE NINNESSExpired
Licence20221138
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE O'ROURKEExpired
Licence2022360
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIE RYAN JOHNSONActive
Licence2025436
ClassClass C
JAMIE SCOTTExpired
Licence2013513
ClassOwner Builder
JAMIL SULEIMANExpired
Licence2014404
ClassClass C
JAMIN PETER PATTERSONActive
Licence2015437
ClassClass B
JAN GOETZEExpired
Licence20161017
ClassClass A
JAN PAPPActive
Licence20251251
ClassClass A
JANAKA SHANE BLACKLEYActive
Licence20141262
ClassClass B
JANE DOUGLASSExpired
Licence2020883
ClassOwner Builder
JANE FILINGExpired
Licence2022342
ClassOwner Builder
JANE MACCULLOCHExpired
Licence2014610
ClassOwner Builder
JANE YVONNE DOUGLASSExpired
Licence20151247
ClassOwner Builder
JANENE RYANExpired
Licence202184
ClassOwner Builder
JANET CHARLIE THOMSONExpired
Licence20201521
ClassOwner Builder
JANET SUSAN ROSE DONOHOOExpired
Licence2015175
ClassOwner Builder
JANETTE KELSEYExpired
Licence2016387
ClassOwner Builder
JANGBONG LEEExpired
Licence2014603
ClassClass A
JANINE SKRBINSEKActive
Licence2011719
ClassClass C
JANUS INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTDActive
Licence2005807
ClassClass A

Hiring a Builder in Canberra

Before hiring any builder in Canberra, use this checklist to protect yourself and ensure you're working with a properly licensed and insured professional.

  1. Verify their Home Warranty Insurance is current — For residential building work above the state threshold (e.g. $20,000 in NSW, $16,000 in VIC), the builder must hold Home Warranty Insurance (also called Home Building Compensation in NSW). Ask for the certificate before signing — it protects you if the builder dies, disappears, or becomes insolvent before defects are rectified.
  2. Ask to see their QBCC or equivalent financial standing — In Queensland and several other states, builders must meet minimum net tangible asset requirements. A builder who has recently had financial conditions placed on their licence may be at risk of insolvency. Check the public register for any conditions, sanctions, or disciplinary actions.
  3. Request a detailed scope of works, not just a lump-sum price — A one-line quote of "$350,000 for your renovation" tells you nothing. Insist on a fully itemised scope of works that lists each trade, materials, allowances, PC (prime cost) items, and provisional sums so you can compare quotes fairly and avoid surprise variations.
  4. Confirm how they handle variations and cost overruns — Variations are the number-one source of building disputes in Australia. Ask how changes are documented and priced, whether there is a margin applied to variations, and ensure the contract requires written approval before any variation work commences.
  5. Check their licence class matches the scale of your project — Builder licences are tiered by project scale — for example, QBCC offers Low Rise (up to 2 storeys), Medium Rise (up to 3 storeys), and Open (unrestricted). A builder licensed only for Low Rise cannot legally construct a three-storey townhouse. Verify the licence class on the relevant state register.
Pro Tip

Get at least three quotes and compare not just price, but response time, warranty on workmanship, and whether the quote includes parts.

Red Flags to Watch For
  • No Home Warranty Insurance certificate for work over the threshold — Builders are legally required to provide Home Warranty Insurance before starting residential work above the state threshold. If a builder says insurance "isn't needed" or asks you to split the contract to stay under the threshold, walk away — this is a serious red flag and may indicate they cannot obtain insurance.
  • Demands large upfront deposits beyond the legal limit — Most states cap the deposit a builder can request — for example, 5% in Victoria and 10% in NSW for contracts over $20,000. A builder requesting 30–50% upfront may have cash flow problems and could be using your deposit to fund other projects.
  • Reluctant to put the scope of works in writing — For residential building work above the relevant threshold, a written contract is a legal requirement in every state. A builder who resists putting the full scope, timeline, and payment schedule in writing is exposing you to variations, disputes, and limited legal recourse.
  • Multiple current disciplinary actions on the public register — Check the state licensing register (e.g. QBCC, NSW Fair Trading, VBA) for any directions to rectify, licence conditions, or complaint history. One resolved complaint is normal; multiple open actions suggest systemic quality or conduct issues.

Builder Licensing Requirements in Australian Capital Territory

Licence Required

Licensing is managed by ACT Construction Occupations Registrar.

Licence Types

Builder Licence — Class A

All building work including multi-storey construction

Builder Licence — Class B

Building work up to 2 storeys

Builder Licence — Class C

Limited building work (e.g. alterations and additions)

Key Requirements

  • Diploma of Building and Construction (CPC50220) or equivalent
  • Minimum 3 years supervisory experience
  • Fidelity fund certificate for residential building work

Penalties for unlicensed work

Unlicensed building work in the ACT can result in fines up to $48,000 for individuals. The Construction Occupations Registrar can also issue demerit points, rectification orders, and prohibition notices.

Typical Builder Costs in ACT

Hourly Rate

$75 – $130

Callout Fee

$85 – $160

Common Jobs

JobCost Range
Deck construction (20-30sqm)$5350 – $16050
Bathroom renovation$16050 – $37450
Kitchen renovation$21400 – $53500

Related Directories

Builders in Nearby Suburbs

Builders in ACTONBuilders in AINSLIEBuilders in AMAROOBuilders in ANU

Other Trades in Canberra

Electricians in CanberraPlumbers in CanberraDrainers in CanberraGasfitters in CanberraDemolishers in Canberra

Broader Areas

All Trades in Australian Capital Territory

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a builder and a building contractor?

In most states, the terms are interchangeable for licensing purposes. A "builder" typically refers to someone who constructs or renovates buildings, while a "building contractor" holds the licence that allows them to contract for building work and engage subcontractors. Some states distinguish between a general contractor (whole-of-build) and a specialist or trade contractor (single trade like carpentry or tiling).

What does Home Warranty Insurance actually cover?

Home Warranty Insurance (known as Home Building Compensation in NSW) covers homeowners if the builder cannot complete the work or fix defects due to death, disappearance, or insolvency. It typically covers structural defects for 6 years and non-structural defects for 2 years after completion. It does not cover disputes about quality while the builder is still trading — that is handled through the building tribunal or commission.

How much does it cost to build a house per square metre in Australia?

As a rough guide, expect $1,800–$2,500 per square metre for a standard project home, $2,500–$3,500 for a custom design, and $3,500 or more for architecturally designed or high-specification builds. Costs vary significantly by state, site conditions, finishes, and market demand. Always get at least three detailed quotes for your specific plans and site.

Do I need council approval before my builder starts work?

For most building work beyond minor cosmetic changes, yes. You or your builder must obtain a building permit (or construction certificate in NSW) from council or a private certifier before work begins. Some minor works like garden sheds under a certain size may be exempt. Your builder should confirm permit requirements during the quoting stage.

What is a defects liability period?

The defects liability period is a window — usually 13 to 26 weeks after practical completion — during which the builder must return to fix any defects identified during a final inspection. It is separate from Home Warranty Insurance cover. Document all defects in writing during this period and issue a formal defect notice to the builder.

Can I act as an owner-builder instead of hiring a licensed builder?

Most states allow homeowners to act as their own builder by obtaining an Owner Builder Permit, but thresholds apply — for example, work over $10,000 in NSW or $11,000 in QLD. As an owner-builder you take on all legal responsibility for compliance, subcontractor management, and workplace safety. You must also disclose the owner-builder work when selling the property within 6 years in most states.

How do I verify a builder's licence in ACT?

You can verify any builder's licence using TradieVerify's free search tool or directly through the Access Canberra register. Enter the builder's name or licence number to confirm their licence status, class, and any disciplinary history.

How many licensed builders are in Canberra?

There are currently 8986 licensed builders registered in Canberra, ACT. This data is sourced directly from the Access Canberra register and updated regularly.