Thorp, Frank — Licensed Builder (Western Australia)
Licence Details
| Licence Number | BP12409 |
|---|---|
| Licence Class | Building Practitioner - Current |
| Status | Active |
| Issue Date | 24 October 2007 |
| Source | DEMIRS |
This data is sourced from public government registers and may not reflect real-time changes. Always confirm licence details with Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety directly. Full disclaimer.
What a Builder Licence Means in Western Australia
Builders manage and carry out the construction of new homes, extensions, renovations, and structural alterations. In Australia, a licensed builder is both the project manager and the responsible party for ensuring the finished structure meets the National Construction Code, relevant Australian Standards, and local council requirements. They coordinate subcontractors — from concreters and bricklayers to plumbers and electricians — and are accountable for the structural integrity and quality of the entire build. Homeowners typically engage a builder for new home construction, major renovations, extensions, knock-down rebuilds, and structural work such as removing load-bearing walls. Builders must hold Home Warranty Insurance for residential work above state-specific thresholds, giving homeowners recourse if defects appear after completion.
Builder Licence Types in Western Australia
- Building Contractor Registration — Unrestricted — All types of residential and commercial building work
- Building Contractor Registration — Group 1 (Houses) — Residential building work up to 3 storeys
- Building Contractor Registration — Group 2 (Alterations) — Alteration and renovation work on existing buildings
Requirements
- Diploma of Building and Construction (CPC50220) or equivalent
- Minimum 5 years industry experience (3 years supervisory)
- Home indemnity insurance for residential work over $20,000
- Public liability insurance
- Construction induction card (White Card)
Penalties for Unlicensed Work
Unregistered building work in WA carries fines up to $50,000 for individuals. DMIRS can also issue building remediation orders, stop-work orders, and prosecute offenders.
Exemptions
- Work valued under $7,500 (non-structural, non-specialist)
- Owner-builder work with an Owner Builder Approval (for work over $20,000)
- Minor maintenance, repairs, and painting
- Garden landscaping not involving structures
Hiring a Licensed Builder in WA
Before hiring any builder in Western Australia, use this five-point 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.
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.
Typical Builder Costs in Western Australia
| Hourly Rate | $75 – $130 |
|---|---|
| Callout Fee | $85 – $160 |
| Deck construction (20-30sqm) | $5400 – $16200 |
| Bathroom renovation | $16200 – $37800 |
| Kitchen renovation | $21600 – $54000 |
Your Rights — Complaints & Disputes in Western Australia
Building and Energy (DMIRS)
How to Lodge a Complaint
- 1 Write to the builder/tradesperson outlining the issues and requesting rectification within 14–28 days
- 2 If unresolved, lodge a complaint with Building and Energy online or by phone
- 3 Building and Energy will assess the complaint and may conduct an investigation or inspection