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The 10 best new home builders in Canberra

Canberra builders for custom homes, project homes and knockdown rebuilds, from new suburbs to older blocks in established areas. We checked every builder's ACT licence on the Access Canberra register.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
10
Licences confirmed on the register
10 of 10
Average Google rating
4.7
Google reviews, combined
243
Builders paying to be here
None
  • LicenceA current Access Canberra builder licence, matched to the business.
  • ReputationIndependent reviews, awards and years trading.
  • Right kind of workNew homes, custom builds or knockdown rebuilds in Canberra, shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

New home builders in Canberra, ranked

These licensed builders all show new home work on their own sites. They're ranked on fit for new builds, reputation and years trading, with no paid places.

  1. 1

    Classic Constructions

    Mitchell. Canberra and region

    4.1 from 22 Google reviews

    Best for architect-designed family homes with display homes to visit

    • Won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Display Home of the Year.
    • Matches each client with an architect from its panel, according to the firm.
    • Says it has been building custom homes in Canberra for 35 years.
    • Licence numbers and ABN are printed on its homepage.
    ACT builder licence
    2026883 Checked
    Builds
    Custom homes, Display homes, Knockdown rebuild, Dual occupancy
    Member of
    Master Builders ACT, HIA
    More about Classic Constructions

    Classic Constructions is a Mitchell based home builder with a display home in Denman Prospect. The firm says it has been designing and building custom homes for 35 years. Its process pairs each client with an architect from its panel to design a home for the block and budget, then a construction supervisor, contract administrator and construction manager see it through.

    It also manages knockdown rebuilds. Its Denman Prospect display home won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Display Home of the Year, and a Yarralumla dual occupancy won a 2025 Master Builders category.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Display Home of 2026 (Denman Prospect), winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Medium Density Dual Occupancy/Habitable Suite (Yarralumla), winner; 2024 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Home of the Year (according to the firm)

    02 6299 8467Visit website
  2. 2

    Brother Projects

    Canberra. Canberra

    Best for architect-designed luxury homes

    • Won the 2024 Master Builders ACT House of the Year.
    • Lists two national Master Builders awards, for contract and luxury homes, on its website.
    • Uses its own carpenters, tilers and machine operators, the firm says.
    ACT builder licence
    2015579 Checked
    Building since
    2014
    Builds
    Custom homes, Luxury homes
    More about Brother Projects

    Brother Projects is a Canberra building company run by brothers Jamey and Nathan Dutkiewicz. It builds high end custom homes, often with architects such as Paul Tilse and Adam Hobill, alongside major renovations.

    Its Deakin Pavilion was named 2024 Master Builders ACT House of the Year and won the $2 million to $4 million custom home category, and Nathan Dutkiewicz was named Young Builder of the Year that night. The firm says it keeps its own carpenters, tilers and machine operators rather than subcontracting everything, and it has won national Master Builders awards in 2018 and 2021.

    Awards: 2024 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: House of the Year, winner; 2024 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Custom Built Home $2 million to $4 million (Deakin), winner (according to the firm); 2021 Master Builders Australia National Awards: Contract Home $1 million to $2 million, winner (according to the firm); 2018 Master Builders Australia National Awards: Luxury Project Home $1 million to $2 million, winner (according to the firm)

    0419 205 728Visit website
  3. 3

    Status Living

    Canberra. Canberra

    Best for design-led custom homes in established suburbs

    • Won the 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Home of the Year.
    • Lists HIA and Master Builders awards from 2017 onward on its website.
    • Shows its licence number on every page of its website.
    ACT builder licence
    20121439 Checked
    Building since
    2012
    Builds
    Custom homes, Knockdown rebuild
    More about Status Living

    Status Living is a Canberra custom home builder founded more than 10 years ago, according to its website. Its project list is centred on established suburbs such as Curtin, Deakin, Yarralumla, Narrabundah and Hackett.

    Its Icon House took the 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Home of the Year. HIA described a minimalist, brutalist-inspired design planned around three existing eucalypts, with solar power and hydronic heating. The firm lists HIA and Master Builders awards from 2017 onward, covering renovations, custom builds and a 2020 HIA Spec Home of the Year.

    Awards: 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Home of the Year (Icon House), winner; 2020 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Spec Home of the Year (Rivett Street, Hackett) (according to the firm); 2019 HIA and Master Builders ACT: Custom Build $350,000 to $550,000 (Love Street, Flynn), award listed by the firm

    Visit website

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  5. 4

    Prof Homes

    Canberra. Canberra, the ACT and surrounding regions

    5.0 from 1 Google reviews

    Best for award-winning display homes and custom designs in new suburbs

    • Won five 2025 Master Builders ACT categories, including Display Home over $750,000.
    • Won the 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Display Home award.
    • Runs a staged quality check process and a service and warranty team, the firm says.
    ACT builder licence
    2019669 Checked
    Building since
    2019
    Builds
    Display homes, Custom homes, Knockdown rebuild, Duplexes
    More about Prof Homes

    Prof Homes is a Canberra builder that offers single and double storey designs, duplexes, knockdown rebuilds and fully custom homes, with a display home called The Arte in Denman Prospect. The firm says it works with architects, designers, engineers and certifiers to take a home from concept through approvals to handover.

    It had a big 2025, winning five Master Builders ACT categories and, the firm says, the HIA ACT/Southern NSW Display Home award. The firm describes stage-by-stage quality checks and an in-house service and warranty team after handover.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Display Home more than $750,000 (Denman Prospect), winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Custom Built/Project Home $500,000 to $750,000 (Whitlam), winner; 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Display Home, winner (according to the firm); 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension $250,000 to $450,000 (Nicholls), winner

    Visit website
  6. 5

    Sunny Homes

    Whitlam. Canberra and NSW

    5.0 from 182 Google reviews

    Best for award-winning display homes in Canberra's growth suburbs

    • Googong display home won a 2025 Master Builders Australia national display home award.
    • Won Master Builders ACT Display Home of the Year in 2024 and 2025, the firm says.
    • Has built more than 250 homes since 2012, almost half custom, according to the firm.
    ACT builder licence
    20161120 Checked
    Building since
    2012
    Builds
    Display homes, Custom homes, Project homes
    Member of
    Master Builders ACT, HIA
    More about Sunny Homes

    Sunny Homes is a family owned Canberra builder led by Navleen (Sunny) Malhotra, who moved from banking into building. The firm says it has built more than 250 homes since 2012, almost half of them custom rather than catalogue designs, and it is based in Whitlam.

    Its display homes have done well with judges. The Googong display won the 2025 Master Builders ACT Display Home under $500,000 category and then a national display home award. The firm also lists HIA regional wins, including a 2024 custom home category.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Display Home less than $500,000 (Googong), winner; 2025 Master Builders Australia National Awards: Display Home (Googong), winner (according to the firm); 2024 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Display Home of the Year, winner (according to the firm); 2024 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Custom Built Home $400,000 to $600,000, winner (according to the firm)

    0493 742 880Visit website
  7. 6

    35 Degrees

    Lyneham. Canberra and the ACT region

    5.0 from 16 Google reviews

    Best for energy efficient custom homes and knockdown rebuilds

    • Architect and builder work together from the first meeting, with costings at each design stage.
    • Signs a fixed-price Master Builders contract once the design is finished, according to its website.
    • Lists heat recovery ventilation and air pressure testing of the home as standard.
    • Licence numbers and ACN are printed in its website footer.
    ACT builder licence
    20151084 Checked
    Builds
    Custom homes, Knockdown rebuild, Energy efficient homes, Pre-designed homes
    More about 35 Degrees

    35 Degrees is a Lyneham builder that designs and builds energy efficient new homes for Canberra's climate. It takes on custom homes and knockdown rebuilds, and offers a set of pre-designed homes drawn by architects to suit blocks facing different directions. Director Tom Henderson began his carpentry apprenticeship in Denmark and finished it in Canberra, and the firm says he has run building businesses in Canberra since 2000.

    The firm says the architect and builder work as one team from the first meeting, with costings at each design stage and a fixed-price Master Builders contract before work starts. Its standard inclusions cover double glazing, heat pump hot water, heat recovery ventilation and air pressure testing of the finished home.

    02 6130 0885Visit website
  8. 7

    Blackett Homes

    Braddon. Canberra

    4.3 from 13 Google reviews

    Best for knockdown rebuilds in established Canberra suburbs

    • Has built homes for Canberra families since 1981, according to the firm.
    • Says it has delivered more than 3000 homes.
    • Main focus is knockdown rebuilds in established suburbs.
    • ACT licence, NSW licence, ABN and ACN are shown on its website.
    ACT builder licence
    201780 Checked
    Building since
    1981
    Builds
    Knockdown rebuild, Custom homes
    More about Blackett Homes

    Blackett Homes is a family owned Canberra builder that says it has been building for local families since 1981 and has delivered more than 3000 homes. Its current focus is knockdown rebuilds: clearing an older house in an established suburb and replacing it with a new, energy-efficient home designed for the block.

    It also takes on custom builds. Its terms and footer give the trading entity, ABN, ACN and both ACT and NSW licence numbers, which makes it easy to check.

    02 6241 6311Visit website
  9. 8

    Kotari Constructions

    Canberra. Canberra and surrounding regions

    4.6 from 9 Google reviews

    Best for family-run builder of high-performance custom homes

    • Describes itself as Canberra's passive home specialists, certified for Passive House builds.
    • Owners Ante and Magdalena Juric run their own sites, the firm says.
    • ACT and NSW licence numbers appear on every page.
    ACT builder licence
    2014154 Checked
    Building since
    2014
    Builds
    Custom homes, Energy efficient homes, Passive house
    More about Kotari Constructions

    Kotari Constructions is a family business run by Ante and Magdalena Juric, who the firm says are on their job sites every day. Ante trained as a carpenter under Magdalena's father, who built in the Canberra region for more than 40 years.

    The firm builds custom homes with a focus on energy performance and says it is certified to build to Passive House standards. It describes its Max Henry project in Macarthur, built in 2020, as its prime Passive House, with an 8 star energy rating.

    Visit website
  10. 9

    SM Precision Building

    Franklin. Canberra

    Best for custom homes designed around your block

    • Builds custom homes designed for the client's block and lifestyle.
    • Licence number and ABN shown on every page.
    • Owners have held ACT builder licences through two companies over many years.
    ACT builder licence
    2010902 Checked
    Building since
    2010
    Builds
    Custom homes
    More about SM Precision Building

    SM Precision Building is a small Canberra custom home builder run by Steven and Moanna McCloskey, with a Franklin address and a postal box in Hall. The firm says each home starts with understanding how the client wants to live, then is designed to suit the block.

    The current company has been registered since 2010, and the same owners held an earlier ACT licence through a previous company. The website is brief, but it shows the licence number, ABN and phone on every page.

    02 6241 8442Visit website
  11. 10

    Dalmo Homes

    Canberra. ACT and NSW

    Best for knockdown rebuilds and duplexes

    • Specialises in knockdown rebuilds in established suburbs.
    • Also designs and builds duplex homes.
    • Locally owned since 2005, according to the firm.
    ACT builder licence
    20131406 Checked
    Building since
    2005
    Builds
    Knockdown rebuild, Duplexes, Custom homes
    Member of
    Master Builders
    More about Dalmo Homes

    Dalmo Homes is a locally owned Canberra builder that says it was established in 2005 and has completed more than 30 residential projects in Canberra. Its main lines are knockdown rebuilds in established suburbs and duplex homes, with some renovation work.

    Its knockdown rebuild page explains the case for rebuilding on a larger, older block close to schools and transport, and the firm offers a personalised quote for each job. It is licensed in both the ACT and NSW and lists Master Builders membership.

    0419 414 084Visit website

What a new home costs to build in Canberra

Build cost only, before land. ACT averages and Canberra QS rates.

WorkTypical cost
Average build cost per sqm, ACT (ABS, 2024-25)$2,160 per sqm
Average new house approval, Australia (ABS, June 2026)$529,790
Custom or architectural home (QS rate, Canberra)$2,150 to $4,200 per sqm
Demolition for a knockdown rebuild (QS rate, Canberra)$180 to $295 per sqm
Demolition, typical 3 bedroom house (indicative)$17,000 to $40,000
Knockdown rebuild, 3 to 4 bed single storey (indicative)$450,000 to $1,000,000

The ACT per sqm figure is for houses completed in 2024-25 (ABS data reported by Duo Tax), including GST. The approval value is a national average, not a Canberra one. QS rates are RLB Riders Digest 2026 for Canberra (Q4 2025), excluding GST, site works, fees and asbestos removal. Demolition and knockdown rebuild totals are national consumer guide figures. None include land.

Project home or custom builder in Canberra?

Canberra's demolition rates run higher than other capitals', which changes the maths on a knockdown rebuild.

A project builder sells a set range of designs. In the newer suburbs, on regular lots with estate guidelines, it's usually the cheapest and quickest way to a new house, and quotes are easy to compare.

A custom builder builds your own design. Canberra's custom range on RLB's 2026 rates, about $2,150 to $4,200 per sqm, isn't far above the ACT average, so a custom build is within reach for more people than in Sydney or Melbourne. It's the usual choice for a knockdown rebuild in an older suburb, a sloping lot, or a block with planning constraints.

Knockdown rebuilds cost more to start here. RLB puts Canberra demolition at about $180 to $295 per sqm, the highest top end of any capital, before any asbestos removal, which those rates exclude. Get an older house checked for asbestos early.

What a base price usually leaves out

  • Site costs: excavation, rock, retaining and service connections.
  • Demolition and asbestos removal on a knockdown rebuild.
  • Electric appliances: since a gas network connection isn't an option, check the heat pump hot water, heating and induction cooktop are in the inclusions, not upgrades.
  • Externals: driveway, verge works, fencing, landscaping and window coverings.

Fix site costs in writing after the survey and soil test. See our building costs guide.

Approvals and the build process in Canberra

In the ACT, you appoint a licensed building surveyor as your certifier. The certifier assesses the plans for building approval and then issues the building commencement notice before work can start. A development application (DA) is also needed unless the house is exempt. Ask your designer or certifier which applies to your block.

The certifier works for you. A contract for a house can't give the builder the power to choose or remove the certifier. The ACT Government also advises paying only for completed stages, after the certifier has inspected the work.

Two ACT rules shape the design:

  • No gas connection. Since 8 December 2023, new gas network connections have been banned in residential zones and for houses, with no exemptions available for houses. Plan for electric hot water, heating and cooking from the start.
  • 7 star energy and livable housing. The ACT adopted the NCC 2022 housing energy and livable housing design standards from 15 January 2024.

The ACT has had some of the longest build times. The average new house took about 10 months from start of work to completion in 2025-26 (ABS), against about 8.5 months nationally.

Rules that protect you in the ACT

  • Licence: a house needs a builder with a Class C licence (low rise residential) or a higher Class B or A. If a company holds the licence, check its licensed nominee holds the right class too.
  • Residential building insurance: required for work of $12,000 or more on a house. The builder must get the policy, or a fidelity certificate from an approved fidelity fund, before applying to the certifier for the commencement notice.
  • What it covers: loss if the builder becomes insolvent, disappears or dies, breach of statutory warranty, and subsidence caused by the builder's negligence. Since 1 January 2025 minimum cover is $200,000 for 5 years, and you have 180 days to claim after you become aware of the problem.
  • Deposit: keep it modest. Under the insurance rules, a claim where the builder defaults before the work is worth more than the deposit is limited to $10,000.
  • Payments: pay only for completed stages set out in the contract, after the certifier has inspected.

For problems on site, talk to your certifier and lodge a complaint with Access Canberra. Contract disputes can go to mediation through the Conflict Resolution Service, 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

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

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

How we chose these builders

We started from builders working across Canberra, then kept only those with a current Access Canberra licence, a clear record of new home 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.

New home builders in Canberra: common questions

How much does it cost to build a house in Canberra?

Houses completed in the ACT in 2024-25 averaged about $2,160 per sqm including GST, excluding land (ABS data reported by Duo Tax). Custom and architectural homes in Canberra run about $2,150 to $4,200 per sqm on 2026 QS rates, before GST, site works and fees.

Can I have gas in a new house in Canberra?

No. Since 8 December 2023 the ACT has banned new gas network connections in residential zones and for houses, and exemptions aren't available for houses, so a new Canberra house can't be connected to the gas network, apart from a few transitional cases for applications lodged before 2 March 2024.

How long does it take to build a house in Canberra?

The average new ACT house took about 10 months from start of work to completion in 2025-26 (ABS), one of the longest in the country. Add design, DA if needed, building approval and commencement notice before that.

Who approves a new house in Canberra?

A licensed building surveyor you appoint as certifier grants building approval and issues the building commencement notice. A development application is also needed unless the house is exempt.

What does residential building insurance cover in the ACT?

Builder insolvency, disappearance or death, breach of statutory warranty, and subsidence caused by the builder's negligence. Minimum cover is $200,000 for 5 years, and claims must be made within 180 days of becoming aware of the problem. See our home warranty insurance guide.

How much does demolition cost for a knockdown rebuild in Canberra?

About $180 to $295 per sqm of existing house on RLB's 2026 Canberra rates, the highest top end of any capital, before GST and any asbestos removal. A national consumer guide puts a typical 3 bedroom demolition at $17,000 to $40,000.

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