Licensed Builders in Canberra, ACT
Builder Directory — Canberra, ACT
| Name | Licence # | Class | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| M JOHNSON BUILDING PTY LTD | 20131430 | Class A | Expired |
| M MAHMUDUL HASAN | 2017841 | Class A - Energy Efficiency | Expired |
| M REZA KHANLARI | 2012966 | Class C | Active |
| M.T.J. INVESTMENTS PTY LTD | 19925981 | Class B | Expired |
| M.W. & D.G.BARRIE | 200426865 | Class C | Expired |
| MA & SM CONNOR | 20081143 | Class C | Expired |
| MAARRIMA PTY LTD | 2018713 | Class A | Expired |
| MAB BUILDING PTY LTD | 2023591 | Class C | Expired |
| MACDOC PTY LTD | 20201631 | Class A | Expired |
| MACLEAY FRANCIS CONNELLY | 2015387 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MACUSHLA SMITH | 201286 | Class A - Energy Efficiency | Active |
| MADELEINE DOWLING | 20251149 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MADHUSUDAN SIDHU | 20171100 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MADHUSUDAN SINGH SIDHU | 20211808 | Class C | Active |
| MAGBUILD PTY LTD | 2014793 | Class A | Expired |
| MAGDALENA JURIC | 2019416 | Class C | Active |
| MAGED GIRGIS | 2025656 | Class C | Active |
| MAGNA CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD | 2020472 | Class C | Active |
| MAHARSHI PANDYA | 20221181 | Class A | Active |
| MAHDI FAKHREDDIN | 2021574 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MAHDI MOHAMMADI | 202634 | Class B | Active |
| MAHDI SHANYAR | 20231314 | Class A | Active |
| MAHINDA JANKURU HENNEDIGE DE SILVA | 20101332 | Class C | Expired |
| MAHMOUD AGHA JOUNIZADEH | 20211601 | Class C | Expired |
| MAHMOUD DAKARMANJI | 2021889 | Class A | Expired |
| MAHMOUD OMAR | 202187 | Class C | Expired |
| MAHMUDUL HAQ | 2019649 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MAHNAZ TOWHIDI | 2013995 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MAIKEL MAHER NASIF MEGALLA | 2025536 | Class C | Active |
| MAINBRACE CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LIMITED | 19915503 | Class A | Active |
| MAINCOM SERVICES PTY LTD | 2014868 | Class A | Active |
| MAINMARK GROUND ENGINEERING PTY LIMITED | 20191004 | Class A | Expired |
| MAINMARK GROUND ENGINEERING PTY LTD | 2015719 | Class A | Expired |
| MAINTAIN AUSTRALIA PTY LTD | 2016376 | Class B | Expired |
| MAJORY REID | 202296 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MAKHAN SINGH | 2024393 | Class C | Active |
| MAKKA ELSALIM | 2014401 | Class C | Expired |
| MALCAND PTY LTD | 2024512 | Class D | Active |
| MALCOLM ALLEN Kelly | 19936529 | Class C | Active |
| MALCOLM ANDREW TARBUCK | 200213032 | Class A | Active |
| MALCOLM BEER | 2019424 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALCOLM DUNCAN UTLEY | 2014389 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALCOLM HOWARD BADDELEY | 2013563 | Class A | Expired |
| MALCOLM JAMES BROMLEY | 19946840 | Class B | Active |
| MALCOLM JAMES SMITH | 20141190 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALCOLM JOHN HAYNES | 2018241 | Class C | Expired |
| MALCOLM UTLEY | 2017205 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALCOLM WILKINSON | 2023982 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MALCOM Kelly | 20221101 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALIK MAZAYDEN | 2020870 | Class C | Active |
| MALKIT SINGH | 2023719 | Class C | Active |
| MALU FARAN MALU-FOLAU | 20131108 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MALVIN VIKASH CHAND | 2023698 | Class C | Active |
| MALVINA MARY Rogers | 2016584 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MAMMOTH PROJECTS PTY LTD | 20101238 | Class A | Active |
| MANAMI SALL | 2022983 | Class C | Expired |
| MANAV SINGH NAGRA | 2025570 | Class C | Active |
| MANBIR SINGH | 202632 | Class A | Active |
| MANDEEP SINGH | 2025952 | Class A | Active |
| MANDEEPINDER SINGH | 20251153 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MANH HUNG NGUYEN | 20161147 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MANI SINGH BAJWA | 20251420 | Class A | Active |
| MANINDER SINGH Brar | 20231065 | Class C | Expired |
| MANISH CHIMANLAL PATEL | 2020273 | Class B | Expired |
| MANISHKUMAR KASHIRAMBHAI PATEL | 20241325 | Class C | Active |
| MANJIT SINGH | 2022361 | Class C | Active |
| MANMEET SINGH DHALIWAL | 2024746 | Class C | Active |
| MANMOHAN SETHI | 2006960 | Class C | Expired |
| MANNMADE HOMES PTY LTD | 2022125 | Class C | Active |
| MANPREET SINGH | 20231294 | Class C | Expired |
| MANSA CONSULTING PTY LTD | 2012890 | Class A | Active |
| MANTHER SAMARDALI | 2009422 | Class A | Expired |
| MANUEL GARCIA | 2011103 | Class C | Active |
| MANUEL Samarkos | 199811413 | Class D | Active |
| MANUEL TAATAA | 2017635 | Class D | Active |
| MANUYEL GREGORY | 20231081 | Class C | Expired |
| MAO NI | 2017271 | Class A | Active |
| MARATHON GROUP PTY LTD | 2020221 | Class B | Active |
| MARC BAKKER | 2023910 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MARC CHARLES ROLAND | 2008932 | Class A | Active |
| MARC GERARD HERBERT | 2018736 | Class A | Active |
| MARC GUY MONTAGNAT | 20151200 | Class A | Active |
| MARC JENNER | 2024380 | Class A | Active |
| MARC KIHO | 2018136 | Class B - Energy Efficiency | Active |
| MARC PAUL Rupil | 2014146 | Class C | Active |
| MARC PETROVIC | 20201702 | Class C | Expired |
| MARC RAVANELLO | 2025533 | Class A | Active |
| MARC RENNIE | 20241371 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MARC ROBERTS | 2018500 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MARCEL AOUAD | 2010128 | Class C | Expired |
| MARCEL BASTIAANS | 2018465 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MARCEL EL AKKOUMI | 20241448 | Class C | Active |
| MARCEL MANASSA | 20171043 | Class B | Expired |
| MARCELLO TELESE | 20241674 | Class A | Active |
| MARCELO GUSTAVO SCHIAVI | 2011448 | Class C | Expired |
| MARCELO Quiroga | 2022216 | Class D | Active |
| MARCIANO TELESE | 20181087 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MARCIN MARIAN SZTUKA | 2018201 | Owner Builder | Expired |
| MARCO GAYER | 20241203 | Owner Builder | Active |
| MARCO HULKKONEN | 2008589 | Class C | Expired |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Get at least three quotes and compare not just price, but response time, warranty on workmanship, and whether the quote includes parts.
- 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
Licensing is managed by ACT Construction Occupations Registrar.
Licence Types
All building work including multi-storey construction
Building work up to 2 storeys
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
| Job | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Deck construction (20-30sqm) | $5350 – $16050 |
| Bathroom renovation | $16050 – $37450 |
| Kitchen renovation | $21400 – $53500 |
Related Directories
Builders in Nearby Suburbs
Other Trades in Canberra
Broader Areas
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.