The best builders in Canberra
Three separate lists of Canberra builders, each checked against the Access Canberra licence register, and no builder pays to be on them. In the ACT, you appoint the certifier, and a contract for a house can't hand that choice to the builder.
- Licence regulator
- Access Canberra
- House builder licence
- Class C or higher
- Warranty insurance from
- $12,000
- Minimum insurance cover
- $200,000
- Average new house cost (ACT)
- $2,160 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 Canberra
Extensions, second storeys, raise and build under, and whole-house renovations.
See all 10New home builders in Canberra
Custom and project homes, knockdown rebuilds and builds on tricky blocks.
See all 10Commercial builders in Canberra
Fitouts, retail, medical, industrial and small multi-residential projects.
See all 9What building costs in Canberra
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 Canberra 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 | $27,500 to $49,500 | Canberra consumer guide, typically $38,500. Includes GST. |
| Bathroom renovation, mid-range | $22,000 to $38,500 | Canberra consumer guide, typically $29,700. Includes GST. |
| New house, average | $2,160 per sqm | ACT average for new houses completed in 2024-25 (ABS data, as reported by a quantity surveyor). Includes GST. |
| New house, custom or architectural | $2,150 to $4,200 per sqm | RLB Canberra rate, excludes GST, site works and fees. |
| Office fitout | $1,900 to $7,100 per sqm | RLB Canberra rate, excludes GST. |
| Warehouse or industrial | $910 to $1,720 per sqm | RLB Canberra rate, single storey, excludes GST. |
The ACT's average new house cost of $2,160 per sqm sits above the national average, and Canberra has the highest mid-range kitchen and bathroom estimates of the cities we cover outside Sydney. The top end of RLB's Canberra office fitout range ($7,100 per sqm) is the highest on this site too. RLB forecasts 4.3% tender price growth for 2026, after 3.8% in 2025.
Consumer guide figures are indicative. RLB rates exclude GST, land, site works and professional fees. The ACT average includes GST.
Compare renovation builders in Canberra, new home builders in Canberra and commercial builders in Canberra, or read our building costs guide.
Approvals in Canberra
In the ACT, you appoint a licensed building surveyor as your certifier. The certifier assesses the plans for building approval and issues the building commencement notice before work starts. The certifier also inspects the work, and the ACT Government advises paying for each stage only after the certifier has inspected it.
A contract for a house, or for work over $12,000, can't give the builder the power to choose or remove the certifier. If a contract you are handed says otherwise, don't sign it.
You may also need development approval (a DA) unless the work is exempt. ACT Planning's website explains which works are exempt.
Warranty insurance and contracts in the ACT
For residential building work costing $12,000 or more on a house or apartment building of no more than 3 storeys, the builder needs residential building work insurance or a fidelity certificate from an approved fidelity fund (currently the Master Builders Fidelity Fund). The policy or certificate must go in with the builder's application to the certifier for a building commencement notice, so ask to see it before work starts.
It covers you and later owners if the builder becomes insolvent, disappears or dies, and for breach of statutory warranty and subsidence caused by the builder's negligence. Since 1 January 2025 the minimum cover is $200,000 (up from $85,000) for 5 years, and you have 180 days from becoming aware of a problem to claim.
Agree the deposit and any cooling-off right in the contract itself, and keep the deposit small: if the builder defaults before work exceeds the deposit, an insurance claim is limited to $10,000. Contract disputes can go to mediation, Access Canberra Fair Trading or the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT).
More in our home warranty insurance guide and fixed price vs cost plus.
Checking an ACT builder's licence
Search the list of builders
Ask to see the licence, then search the Access Canberra public register (List of builders) by name or licence number. Access Canberra list of builders
Check the class
Class C covers low rise homes of 2 storeys or less. Class B covers buildings up to 3 storeys and Class A has no height limit. A house needs Class C or higher; bigger or commercial jobs need B or A.
Check the nominee
If a company or partnership holds the licence, find out who its licensed nominee is and check that person holds the right class.
Check discipline and details
Search the Access Canberra disciplinary register, and confirm the full name, address, business name and ABN on the contract match. ACT Planning: find a professional
Building in Canberra: common questions
How much does it cost to build a house in Canberra?
The ACT average for new houses completed in 2024-25 was about $2,160 per square metre including GST, before land. Custom and architectural homes run $2,150 to $4,200 per sqm on RLB's Canberra rates, before GST.
What builder licence class do I need for a house in the ACT?
Class C (low rise residential, 2 storeys or less) or higher. Class B covers buildings up to 3 storeys and Class A has no limit.
When is home warranty insurance required in Canberra?
For residential building work costing $12,000 or more on a house or apartment building of no more than 3 storeys. Minimum cover has been $200,000 since 1 January 2025.
Who chooses the building certifier in the ACT?
You do. A contract for a house or for work over $12,000 can't give the builder the power to choose or remove the certifier.
Do I need development approval to build in Canberra?
You need development approval (a DA) unless the work is exempt. Either way you also need building approval from your certifier, who issues a building commencement notice before work can start.
Where do I go with a building dispute in Canberra?
Raise it with the builder in writing first. For compliance problems talk to your certifier and lodge a complaint with Access Canberra. Contract disputes can go to the Conflict Resolution Service, Access Canberra Fair Trading or ACAT.
Ready to talk to builders?
One form, up to three builders that suit your project.
Sources
- Access Canberra public register: List of builders
- Access Canberra: Building and construction
- ACT Planning: Construction licences (builder classes)
- ACT Planning: Find a professional
- ACT Planning: Building contracts
- ACT Planning: Residential building work insurance
- ACT Planning: Disputes and complaints
- ACT Planning: Building approvals
- ACT Planning: Before you start
- Building (General) Regulation 2008 (ACT) (PDF)
- Duo Tax Quantity Surveyors: Cost to build a house in Australia
- RLB Riders Digest 2026, Canberra
- hipages: How much do house extensions cost?
- hipages: How much does a second storey addition cost?
- What's The Damage: Kitchen renovation cost Canberra
- What's The Damage: Bathroom renovation cost Canberra