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The 8 best commercial builders in Adelaide

Adelaide builders for commercial projects of roughly $500,000 to $50 million: office and medical fitouts, retail and hospitality, warehouses and small apartment or townhouse jobs. Not the tier-one contractors. Every licence was checked on the Consumer and Business Services register.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
8
Licences confirmed on the register
0 of 8
Average Google rating
4.4
Google reviews, combined
88
Builders paying to be here
None
  • LicenceA current CBS builder licence, matched to the business.
  • ReputationIndependent reviews, awards and years trading.
  • Right kind of workCommercial fitouts, new builds or small multi-residential work shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

Commercial builders in Adelaide, ranked

Each builder shows completed commercial work at this scale on its own site. They're ranked on fit for that work, reputation and track record.

  1. 1

    Kennett

    Brompton. South Australia and Victoria, with offices in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Melbourne

    3.5 from 13 Google reviews

    Best for schools, aged care and sports facilities

    • Founded in Adelaide in 1914 and now run by the fourth generation of the family.
    • Works across education, aged care, health, sport, retail, industrial and apartments.
    • Recent clients include Tennis Australia, UnitingSA and Mount Barker District Council.
    • Shows its SA licence number at each of its office listings.
    SA builder licence
    BLD 6906
    Building since
    1914
    Builds
    Education, Aged care, Sport and recreation, Multi-residential, Automotive
    More about Kennett

    Kennett was founded in Adelaide in 1914 by brothers Clifford and Charles Kennett, who started out as stonemasons and home builders. It moved into commercial construction after the Second World War and is now owned by fourth-generation builders James and Scott Kennett, with offices in Brompton, Mount Gambier and Melbourne.

    Its project list covers schools, aged care and health buildings, sports precincts, car dealerships, industrial buildings and multi-level apartments, including the Memorial Drive tennis precinct and the Uniting on Second apartments at Bowden. The firm describes its approach as partnership-based and says much of its work comes from repeat clients.

    08 8245 1822Visit website
  2. 2

    Mossop Construction + Interiors

    Hindmarsh. Metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia, with an office in Mount Gambier

    4.4 from 10 Google reviews

    Best for commercial builds and fitouts under one contractor

    • Says it has been named Master Builders SA Commercial Builder of the Year three times.
    • Runs its own interiors arm, so base build and fitout can sit with one contractor.
    • Family business established in 1979, now in its third generation.
    • Publishes its licence number and expiry date on its accreditations page.
    SA builder licence
    BLD 41495
    Building since
    1979
    Builds
    Fitouts, Education, Health, Hospitality, Aged care
    Member of
    Master Builders SA
    More about Mossop Construction + Interiors

    Mossop Construction + Interiors is a family-owned commercial builder established in Adelaide in 1979, now led by the third generation. It has its head office in Hindmarsh, a workshop at Ottoway and an office in Mount Gambier, and says it employs more than 170 people.

    Its work spans education, health, hospitality and tourism, offices, retail and franchise fitouts, industrial, aged care and multi-residential projects in metropolitan and regional South Australia. The interiors side of the business means one contractor can handle both construction and fitout. The firm says it has won the Master Builders SA Commercial Builder of the Year title three times.

    Awards: Master Builders Association SA: Commercial Builder of the Year, three-time winner (according to the firm)

    08 8268 8699Visit website
  3. 3

    Pascale Construction

    Kent Town. South Australia

    4.5 from 8 Google reviews

    Best for schools, aged care and mid-size commercial builds

    • Won a 2023 Master Builders Australia national award for the Yangarra Estate cellar door and bottle store.
    • Family business building in Adelaide since 1982, with its licence number shown on its contact page.
    • Portfolio covers schools, aged care, medical, hotels, office fitouts and industrial buildings.
    • Works as managing contractor, design and construct contractor, or through early contractor involvement.
    SA builder licence
    BLD10320
    Building since
    1982
    Builds
    Education, Aged care, Fitouts, Industrial, Hospitality
    More about Pascale Construction

    Pascale Construction was set up in 1982 by Fred and Marina Pascale as a commercial bricklaying business and expanded into construction work in 1995. It describes itself as a family business and works from Kent Town across South Australia. Its project list covers schools, aged care, medical centres, hotels, office fitouts, warehouses and industrial facilities.

    The firm works as a managing contractor, a design and construct contractor or through early contractor involvement. Its work includes the new Rezz Hotel at Newton and the CAWRA recycling facility at Kilburn. Its Yangarra Estate cellar door and bottle store won Master Builders SA and national awards in 2023.

    Awards: 2023 Master Builders Australia National Excellence in Building and Construction Awards: National Commercial/Industrial Construction Award $5 million to $10 million, Yangarra Estate Vineyard New Cellar Door and Bottle Store, winner; 2023 Master Builders SA Building Excellence Awards: Commercial/Industrial Building $5 million to $10 million, Yangarra Estate Vineyard New Cellar Door and Bottle Store, winner (according to the firm)

    08 8362 5840Visit website

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  5. 4

    Partek Construction & Interiors

    Mile End. South Australia

    5.0 from 3 Google reviews

    Best for mid-sized commercial builds, refurbishments and fitouts

    • Has been building and fitting out commercial premises in Adelaide since 1988.
    • Delivers on fixed lump sum and managing contractor terms, according to its case studies.
    • Recent work includes a school STEM centre and a corporate health head office.
    • Says it has completed around 840 projects across South Australia.
    SA builder licence
    46712
    Building since
    1988
    Builds
    Fitouts, Education, Health, Aged care, Industrial
    More about Partek Construction & Interiors

    Partek began in 1988 as a small fitout and refurbishment company and is now a Mile End commercial builder whose projects span health, education, defence, aged care, automotive dealerships, industrial, retail and commercial work. The firm says it has completed around 840 projects in South Australia.

    Its case studies include the Aquinas Centre STEM building at Blackfriars Priory School, delivered as a fixed lump sum, the Corporate Health Group head office and health facility, and the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club. It says directors and managers stay directly involved in each project.

    08 8351 7633Visit website
  6. 5

    Woolcock Group

    Edwardstown. South Australia

    5.0 from 1 Google reviews

    Best for factories, warehouses and offices from feasibility to handover

    • Privately owned Adelaide group operating since 1982.
    • Offers feasibility studies, design and construction as one package or separately.
    • Builds offices, factories, warehouses, shopping centres and food grade facilities.
    • Shows its licence number on its contact page and site footer.
    SA builder licence
    BLD 251285
    Building since
    1982
    Builds
    Industrial, Warehouses, Offices, Retail, Food grade facilities
    More about Woolcock Group

    Woolcock Group started in 1982 as Woolcock Engineering and now runs feasibility, design, construction and property management from its Edwardstown head office. Woolcock Construction handles the building work, specialising in industrial and commercial buildings and renovations.

    It builds offices, factories, warehouses, shopping centres, food grade facilities and some residential developments, and can start with a feasibility study covering zoning, development options and concept plans before design and construction. The firm says it puts weight on transparent costing and detailed design throughout a project.

    08 8193 9600Visit website
  7. 6

    Lamar Group

    West Richmond. Adelaide

    5.0 from 2 Google reviews

    Best for medical clinics, fitouts and retirement housing

    • A selected tenderer for the South Australian Housing Authority, according to the firm.
    • Commercial work includes retirement facilities, apartments, fitouts and medical clinics.
    • Offers estimating, project management and construction services.
    • Building in Adelaide since 2005, with its licence number shown on its homepage.
    SA builder licence
    BLD-188228
    Building since
    2005
    Builds
    Medical, Fitouts, Retirement living, Multi-residential, Industrial
    More about Lamar Group

    Lamar Group is a West Richmond construction company established in 2005. Its commercial work includes retirement facilities and apartments, walk-up flat complexes, commercial fitouts, medical clinics and maintenance of commercial assets, and it also offers industrial construction, estimating and project management.

    The firm says it is a selected tenderer for the South Australian Housing Authority, the Aboriginal Housing Authority and other government clients, as well as for Adelaide architects. It also builds homes, which carry a 25-year structural guarantee.

    08 8272 4440Visit website
  8. 7

    GT Building Group

    South Australia. South Australia, including the Clare Valley

    Best for architectural hospitality venues such as breweries and distilleries

    • Won a 2023 HIA South Australian Small Commercial Project award.
    • Projects include Kick Back Brewing and a Clare Valley distillery.
    • Focuses on architect-designed work and authentic materials.
    • Shows its licence number on every page.
    SA builder licence
    BLD294027
    Builds
    Hospitality, Architectural, Wineries and breweries
    Member of
    Master Builders SA
    More about GT Building Group

    GT Building Group is a South Australian builder of architect-designed commercial, hospitality and residential projects, led by director Darren Jones. Its commercial portfolio includes Kick Back Brewing, a Clare Valley distillery and the Dandelion project, alongside a number of architectural homes.

    HIA judges gave it a 2023 South Australian Small Commercial Project category win for a project they described as well planned and finished to a high standard. The firm says it works closely with clients and architects on return on investment, finishes and building systems.

    Awards: 2023 HIA South Australian Housing Awards: Small Commercial Project $2 million to $5 million, winner

    0499 467 553Visit website
  9. 8

    Centina

    Kent Town. South Australia

    3.1 from 51 Google reviews

    Best for design and construct for health, community and housing

    • Won the 2024 HIA South Australian Small Commercial Project award for a youth therapy centre.
    • Specialises in early procurement: managing contractor, early contractor involvement, design and construct.
    • Holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification, according to the firm.
    • Family business building commercial and residential projects since 2007.
    SA builder licence
    280369
    Building since
    2007
    Builds
    Medical, Education, Retail, Multi-residential, SDA housing
    More about Centina

    Centina is a Kent Town family business that has been building commercial, industrial and residential developments since 2007. Its commercial arm works on health, education, community, retail and hospitality projects, and it also builds townhouse developments and specialist disability accommodation.

    The firm focuses on early procurement, offering managing contractor, early contractor involvement and design and construct delivery with cost analysis up front. HIA gave it the 2024 South Australian Small Commercial Project award for a therapy centre for children and adolescents. It reports ISO certification for quality, environment and safety.

    Awards: 2024 HIA South Australian Housing Awards: Small Commercial Project, winner

    08 8362 1964Visit website

Commercial building costs in Adelaide

Rates per square metre. Adelaide tender prices rose a modest 3.5% in 2025, but RLB expects 5.1% in 2026, so lock in prices sooner rather than later.

WorkTypical cost
Office fitout, open plan to fully partitioned$1,760 to $3,550 per sqm
Retail, small shops and showrooms$1,820 to $2,600 per sqm
Warehouse, single storey$1,140 to $1,760 per sqm
Medical clinic fitout in an existing shell (national, indicative)$1,500 to $3,000 per sqm

Office, retail and warehouse rates are from the RLB Riders Digest 2026 for Adelaide, priced at the end of 2025, and exclude GST, land, site works and professional fees. The warehouse rate assumes a 4,500 sqm shed with no attached offices. The medical figure is a national MedicalSearch range (July 2026), indicative only.

Contracts and procurement for an Adelaide project

The delivery method sets who owns the design, so decide it before anyone prices the job.

Adelaide owners at this size usually pick from three routes.

  • Construct only. Your architect and engineers finish the design and builders price the same set of drawings. Easiest to compare. Anything missing from the design is your risk and comes back as a variation.
  • Design and construct. The builder develops the design, often from your concept or a planning approval, and gives one price. One party answers for design and build, but the builder will choose the cheapest way to meet your brief unless the brief is specific.
  • Early contractor involvement. You pay a builder to join during design, test buildability and cost as the drawings develop, then negotiate the build contract. Good for old buildings and tight programs. You give up a clean competitive tender.

Standard contracts

Use an industry standard form, amended by a construction lawyer, rather than the builder's own terms. Standards Australia published AS 4000:2025 in June 2025; it supersedes AS 2124-1992 and updates AS 4000-1997. AS 4902-2000 is still the current design and construct form, with a review planned. Where an architect administers the contract, the ABIC contracts from Master Builders Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects (MW-2018 for larger jobs, SW-2018 for simpler ones) come in a version for each state and territory. Ask for the South Australian version.

Tender or negotiate

With a smaller pool of mid-size commercial builders than the eastern capitals, it pays to tender to three to five on full documents, so you learn who actually wants the job. Negotiating with one builder can work for an urgent fitout, but get a quantity surveyor to check the price. Our fixed price vs cost plus guide covers pricing models.

Approvals and licences for commercial work in Adelaide

South Australia rolls planning and building into one development approval, applied for through PlanSA.

Development approval in SA has two parts: planning consent (can you use the land this way?) and building consent (does the building comply?). You apply through the PlanSA portal. Building consent can be granted by the council, an assessment panel, or an accredited professional such as a private building certifier. A change of use, for example a shop to a clinic or café, can need planning consent even with little building work.

The SA builder licence

Anyone who carries out or contracts for building work in SA needs a building work contractor's licence from Consumer and Business Services. There's no dollar threshold. It's the same licence for homes and commercial work, but:

  • Builders doing industrial, commercial or civil work must declare they have the financial resources to do it.
  • Licence conditions can cap the building height and contract value a builder can take on.

So a licence alone isn't enough. Read its conditions on the CBS register and check your project fits under them. Our licence check guide shows how.

How to choose a commercial builder in Adelaide

  • Like-for-like work. Ask for recent jobs of your type and value. Fitting out a clinic in an existing North Adelaide terrace is a different job from a tilt-panel warehouse in the northern suburbs.
  • Licence conditions and finances. Confirm on the CBS register that the licence conditions cover your building's height and contract value. Then ask for financial statements or a credit report and the builder's current workload.
  • Subcontractor payment. SA's Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009 gives anyone doing construction work a right to progress payments, makes 'pay when paid' clauses ineffective and allows adjudication of disputed claims. Ask how the builder pays its trades.
  • Insurance. Get certificates of currency for contract works, public liability and workers compensation. Building Indemnity Insurance applies to domestic work only, so it won't cover a commercial job.
  • References. Talk to past clients and at least one subcontractor. Use our questions to ask a builder.

Checking an SA builder's licence

It takes a couple of minutes, and it's the same check we ran for every builder above.

  1. 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

  2. Check it is current

    The licence should be current. In SA there is no dollar threshold: anyone contracting for building work needs a licence.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

How we chose these builders

We started from builders working across Adelaide, then kept only those with a current CBS licence, a clear record of commercial work on their own site, and a solid independent reputation. Order weighs fit for this kind of project, reviews and awards, years trading, and how openly each builder explains its process, licence and warranty. Size and advertising spend don't count.

No builder pays to be listed or ranked. If you request quotes through this page, we pass your project to builders that suit it. Read the full method.

Commercial builders in Adelaide: common questions

How much does an office fitout cost per square metre in Adelaide?

RLB's 2026 Adelaide figures put a good quality office fitout at $1,760 to $3,550 per sqm, excluding GST and including workstations and loose furniture. Open plan sits at the low end; a fully partitioned fitout for a professional firm at the top.

Do commercial builders need a licence in South Australia?

Yes. Anyone carrying out or contracting for building work in SA needs a building work contractor's licence from Consumer and Business Services, at any value. Commercial and industrial builders must also declare they have enough financial resources, and conditions can limit building height and contract value. Check on the CBS register.

What approvals does a commercial project need in Adelaide?

Development approval, made up of planning consent and building consent, applied for through PlanSA. Building consent can come from council, an assessment panel or an accredited private certifier.

Can a builder refuse to pay subcontractors until I pay?

No. Under SA's Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2009, 'pay when paid' provisions have no effect, and subcontractors can claim progress payments and go to adjudication in their own right.

What happens if I don't reply to a payment claim?

Under the SA Act, if you don't serve a payment schedule in time setting out what you'll pay and why, you become liable for the full amount claimed. Check the time limit in your contract and the Act with your lawyer as soon as a claim arrives.

How much have Adelaide building prices been rising?

RLB's tender price index rose 3.5% in Adelaide in 2025, the lowest of the capitals in its 2026 digests, but it forecasts 5.1% for 2026. Budgets prepared a year or more ago may need updating.

This list is a guide only. Check the builder's licence, insurance and contract yourself before you sign.