The best builders in Adelaide
Three separate lists of Adelaide builders, each checked against the CBS licence register, and no builder pays to be on them. Since 10 November 2025, SA's contract, deposit and insurance rules start at $20,000, up from $12,000.
- Licence regulator
- Consumer and Business Services
- Licence needed for
- All building work
- Indemnity insurance from
- $20,000
- Maximum deposit, jobs $20,000+
- 5%
- Average new house cost (SA)
- $1,788 per sqm
Choose the kind of builder you need
Each list is researched separately, so a great renovation builder isn't padded onto the new home list.
Renovation builders in Adelaide
Extensions, second storeys, raise and build under, and whole-house renovations.
See all 10New home builders in Adelaide
Custom and project homes, knockdown rebuilds and builds on tricky blocks.
See all 10Commercial builders in Adelaide
Fitouts, retail, medical, industrial and small multi-residential projects.
See all 8What building costs in Adelaide
Construction costs only. None of these figures include land.
| Project | Indicative cost | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|
| Ground floor extension | $2,000 to $4,000 per sqm | National consumer guide (indicative). A Adelaide guide puts it at $2,500 to $5,000 per sqm including GST. |
| Second storey addition | $200,000 to $450,000 | National consumer guide, typical total. Indicative. |
| Kitchen renovation, mid-range | $23,000 to $41,400 | Adelaide consumer guide, typically $32,200. Includes GST. |
| Bathroom renovation, mid-range | $18,400 to $32,200 | Adelaide consumer guide, typically $24,850. Includes GST. |
| New house, average | $1,788 per sqm | SA average for new detached houses in 2024-25 (ABS data). Statewide. |
| New house, custom or architectural | $2,200 to $4,000 per sqm | RLB Adelaide rate, excludes GST, site works and fees. |
| Office fitout | $1,760 to $3,550 per sqm | RLB Adelaide rate, excludes GST. |
| Warehouse or industrial | $1,140 to $1,760 per sqm | RLB Adelaide rate, single storey, excludes GST. |
Adelaide is one of the cheaper capitals to build in. The SA average new house cost of $1,788 per sqm sits below the national average of $1,967, and RLB's range for custom homes in Adelaide ($2,200 to $4,000 per sqm) tops out lower than any other city on this site. RLB recorded 3.5% tender price growth in 2025 but forecasts 5.1% for 2026.
Consumer guide figures are indicative. RLB rates exclude GST, land, site works and professional fees.
Compare renovation builders in Adelaide, new home builders in Adelaide and commercial builders in Adelaide, or read our building costs guide.
Approvals in Adelaide
In SA, building work needs development approval, which has two parts:
- Planning consent, checking the design against the planning rules.
- Building consent, checking the construction against the building rules. This can be granted by the council, an assessment panel or an accredited professional such as a private building certifier.
You apply through PlanSA. Ask your builder who will handle the application and who will grant building consent, because it affects how long approval takes.
Building indemnity insurance and contracts in SA
The thresholds rose on 10 November 2025.
SA calls it Building Indemnity Insurance. It is required for domestic building work that needs development approval and costs $20,000 or more (up from $12,000 for contracts from 10 November 2025). The builder arranges and pays for it before work starts and gives you a certificate.
It covers you and later owners for incomplete or defective work if the builder dies, disappears or becomes insolvent, up to $250,000 for contracts from 10 November 2025 (up from $80,000). Defect claims are usually possible up to 5 years after completion.
- Contracts of $20,000 or more must be in writing, include the builder's business name and licence number, be signed by both sides and come with the prescribed Form 1 notice.
- Deposit: no more than 5% for domestic work of $20,000 or more.
- Cooling-off: 5 clear business days after signing. Give notice in writing, in person or by certified mail.
- Progress payments can only be requested for work already done, and you don't have to pay without a written request.
- Disputes: go to the builder first, then CBS, which may arrange conciliation or a compulsory conference.
More in our home warranty insurance guide.
Checking an SA builder's licence
Search the CBS register
Ask to see the builder's licence, then search the CBS licensing register. Building work contractor licence numbers start with BLD. CBS licence search
Check it is current
The licence should be current. In SA there is no dollar threshold: anyone contracting for building work needs a licence.
Read the conditions
Licence conditions can limit building height and contract value. Make sure they cover your job, especially for a two storey home or a large renovation.
Check the assurances register and the contract
Search the CBS public assurances register for past regulatory problems. The contract must show the builder's business name and licence number, and both should match the register. CBS: find a licence holder
Building in Adelaide: common questions
How much does it cost to build a house in Adelaide?
The SA average for a new detached house in 2024-25 was $1,788 per square metre (ABS data), about $390,000 for a 218 sqm home, before land. Custom and architectural homes run $2,200 to $4,000 per sqm on RLB's Adelaide rates.
Do I need a licensed builder for a small job in SA?
Yes. SA has no dollar threshold: anyone carrying out or contracting for building work needs a building work contractor's licence. Jobs under $20,000 just have lighter contract and insurance rules.
When is building indemnity insurance required in SA?
For domestic building work that needs development approval and costs $20,000 or more. The threshold was $12,000 before 10 November 2025.
What is the maximum deposit for a building contract in SA?
5% of the contract price for domestic building work of $20,000 or more.
Is there a cooling-off period on a building contract in SA?
Yes, 5 clear business days after signing. You must give written notice personally or by certified mail.
Who approves building work in Adelaide?
Development approval (planning consent plus building consent) is applied for through PlanSA. Building consent can come from the council, an assessment panel or a private building certifier.
Ready to talk to builders?
One form, up to three builders that suit your project.
Sources
- CBS licensing register search
- CBS: Find a licence holder
- SA Government: Hiring a building industry professional
- SA Government: Building work contractor's licence
- SA Government: Building indemnity insurance
- SA Government: Builder responsibilities
- SA Government: Disputes with a builder or tradesperson
- CBS: Building licence FAQs, November 2025 (PDF)
- CBS: Form 1 Your building contract, your rights and obligations (PDF)
- Building Work Contractors (Building Indemnity Insurance) Amendment Regulations 2025 (PDF)
- Legal Services Commission SA Law Handbook: Assessment Authorities
- Legal Services Commission SA Law Handbook: Building Work (building consent)
- Master Builders NSW: Cost of constructing Australian homes (ABS data, 2024-25)
- RLB Riders Digest 2026, Adelaide
- hipages: How much do house extensions cost?
- hipages: How much does a second storey addition cost?
- What's The Damage: Kitchen renovation cost Adelaide
- What's The Damage: Bathroom renovation cost Adelaide