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The 10 best renovation builders in Canberra

Canberra builders who handle extensions, second storeys and renovations of existing homes. We checked every builder's licence class on the Access Canberra register.

Updated October 2026.

Builders listed
10
Licences confirmed on the register
10 of 10
Average Google rating
4.5
Google reviews, combined
194
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 workExtensions, second storeys and renovations of existing homes shown on their own site.
  • No paid placesNobody pays to be listed or to move up.

Renovation builders in Canberra, ranked

These licensed Canberra builders show extension and renovation work on their own sites, and are ranked on fit for that work, reputation and track record.

  1. 1

    Build Professional

    Phillip. Canberra

    4.3 from 6 Google reviews

    Best for design and build home extensions across Canberra

    • Won the 2025 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension $250,000 to $450,000 award.
    • Offers a complete design and build service with its own in-house designers.
    • Director Matthew Hall has more than 25 years of experience, according to the firm.
    • Licence number and ACN are printed on its contact page.
    ACT builder licence
    2009571 Checked
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Design and build
    Member of
    Master Builders ACT, HIA, Building Designers Australia
    More about Build Professional

    Build Professional is a Phillip based design and build company that works almost entirely on home extensions and renovations. The firm says director Matthew Hall brings more than 25 years of experience and that its in-house design team takes a project from concept drawings through approvals to handover.

    Its awards page lists HIA and Master Builders wins going back more than a decade, plus Best of Houzz badges. It names HIA, Master Builders and Building Designers Australia memberships and HIA GreenSmart accreditation.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension $250,000 to $450,000, winner; 2018 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Renovation/Addition Project up to $200,000, winner (according to the firm); 2015 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Renovation/Addition Project $200,001 to $350,000, winner (according to the firm); 2015 and 2016 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Professional Small Builder of the Year, winner (according to the firm)

    02 6225 7222Visit website
  2. 2

    Brother Projects

    Canberra. Canberra

    Best for large heritage renovations and extensions in the inner south

    • Named 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Renovation/Addition Project of the Year.
    • Won the 2025 Master Builders ACT renovation category for projects over $2.5 million.
    • Took out the 2024 Master Builders ACT House of the Year.
    • Runs its own carpenters, tilers and machine operators, according to its website.
    ACT builder licence
    2015579 Checked
    Building since
    2014
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Heritage, Custom homes
    More about Brother Projects

    Brother Projects is run by brothers Jamey and Nathan Dutkiewicz and builds high end renovations, extensions and custom homes in Canberra. Its 2025 Griffith project kept a heritage cottage front while adding a large modern extension behind, working with Paul Tilse Architects.

    That job won both the HIA regional Renovation/Addition Project of the Year and the Master Builders top renovation category in 2025. The firm says its in-house trades form the core of the business, and it has also collected national Master Builders awards for custom homes.

    Awards: 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Renovation/Addition Project of the Year, winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension more than $2.5 million (Griffith), winner; 2024 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: House of the Year, winner; 2021 Master Builders Australia National Awards: Contract Home $1 million to $2 million, winner (according to the firm)

    0419 205 728Visit website
  3. 3

    Manteena Residential

    Fyshwick. Canberra, including Deakin, Forrest, Red Hill and Griffith

    4.3 from 11 Google reviews

    Best for architect-led renovations of character homes

    • Won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension category for projects over $2.5 million.
    • Won the 2023 Master Builders ACT House of the Year.
    • Part of a Canberra construction group operating since 1980.
    • Publishes its licence numbers and entities on a dedicated page.
    ACT builder licence
    2007620 Checked
    Building since
    1980
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Heritage, Custom homes
    More about Manteena Residential

    Manteena Residential is the home building arm of the Manteena group, a Fyshwick based builder the firm says has worked in Canberra since 1980. The residential team takes on custom homes, renovations and extensions, mostly in established inner suburbs such as Deakin, Forrest, Red Hill and Griffith.

    Its renovation of a 1940s brick home, with Architects Ring and Associates and Archertec Interiors, won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension category for projects over $2.5 million. The firm says it builds to an agreed budget and timeframe with no hidden costs.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension more than $2.5 million, winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Custom Built/Project Home more than $4 million (Deakin), winner; 2023 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: House of the Year, winner

    02 6280 7033Visit website

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  5. 4

    Vdara Construction

    Canberra. ACT, Queanbeyan, Bungendore, Carwoola, Hall and surrounds

    Best for whole-house renovations with in-house plumbing

    • Won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension $1 million to $2.5 million award.
    • Also won a 2026 Master Builders custom home category in Macgregor.
    • Holds builder, plumber and drainer licences, according to its website.
    • Licence numbers and ABN are shown in its site footer.
    ACT builder licence
    2017540 Checked
    Building since
    2017
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Custom homes
    More about Vdara Construction

    Vdara Construction is a family owned Canberra builder that takes on whole-house renovations, bathroom renovations and new homes. Its website says the business holds builder, plumber and drainer licences, which lets it handle wet areas without bringing in a separate plumbing contractor.

    The firm won two categories at the 2026 Master Builders ACT awards. Weetangera House won the renovation category for projects of $1 million to $2.5 million, and a one-bedroom Macgregor home with Neighbourhood Architecture won the $500,000 to $750,000 custom home category. It works across the ACT and nearby NSW towns.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension $1 million to $2.5 million (Weetangera House), winner; 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Custom Built/Project Home $500,000 to $750,000 (Macgregor), winner

    0419 424 948Visit website
  6. 5

    Edward Robert Builders

    Canberra. Canberra and Queanbeyan

    5.0 from 1 Google reviews

    Best for energy-efficient extensions for Canberra winters

    • Won the 2025 Master Builders ACT Sustainable Residential Project award in O'Connor.
    • The firm says it won a 2024 HIA regional renovation award.
    • Co-founder Robert Klacek is HIA GreenSmart accredited, according to the website.
    ACT builder licence
    20181302 Checked
    Building since
    2018
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Knockdown rebuild, Energy efficient homes
    More about Edward Robert Builders

    Edward Robert Builders was set up in 2018 by Eddie Redmond and Robert Klacek. It builds extensions, renovations, new homes and knockdown rebuilds across Canberra and Queanbeyan, with a strong focus on insulation, glazing and airtightness for Canberra's hot summers and cold winters.

    Its O'Connor project with Neighbourhood Architecture won the 2025 Master Builders ACT Sustainable Residential Project award. The firm also says it won a 2024 HIA ACT/Southern NSW renovation category and was a finalist in 2024 and 2025.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Sustainable Residential Project (O'Connor), winner; 2024 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Renovation/Addition $500,000 to $700,000, winner (according to the firm)

    0412 699 455Visit website
  7. 6

    NEWR

    Fyshwick. Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra

    4.8 from 97 Google reviews

    Best for full-home renovations with in-house interior design

    • Won the 2026 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 million award.
    • Won 2025 Master Builders ACT kitchen and bathroom categories.
    • Designers, trades and project managers work under one roof, according to the firm.
    ACT builder licence
    2025953 Checked
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Kitchens, Bathrooms
    More about NEWR

    NEWR is a Fyshwick renovation company that handles full-home renovations and extensions as well as the kitchen and bathroom work it is best known for. The firm says it has close to 20 years of industry experience and keeps designers, tradespeople and project managers in one team, with a single point of contact.

    Its Deakin renovation won the 2026 Master Builders ACT category for $450,000 to $1 million. The firm says it has been named Master Builders Bathroom of the Year five years running.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 million (Deakin), winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Bathroom Project more than $50,000 (Jerrabomberra), winner; 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Kitchen Project less than $50,000 (Jerrabomberra), winner

    02 6280 8841Visit website
  8. 7

    Freedom Built

    Hume. Canberra

    4.9 from 22 Google reviews

    Best for fixed-price whole-home renovations with clear warranty terms

    • Quotes a fixed price and says everything is included.
    • States a 6-month defect period, 10-year structural warranty and first-year maintenance.
    • Director Mark Cole was 2026 Master Builders ACT Young Builder of the Year.
    ACT builder licence
    20211294 Checked
    Builds
    Renovations, Extensions, Custom homes, Energy efficient homes
    Member of
    HIA
    More about Freedom Built

    Freedom Built is run by Mark and Maddie Cole from Hume and builds healthy, energy-efficient custom homes and whole-home renovations. Its renovation page is clear about how it works: a fixed price agreed up front, progress updates through the BuilderTrend app, and site visits during the build.

    The firm states a 6-month defect period, a 10-year structural warranty and first-year maintenance with check-ins at one and six months. It says it won HIA ACT/Southern NSW awards in 2022 and 2023, and Mark Cole was named 2026 Master Builders ACT Young Builder of the Year.

    Awards: 2026 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Young Builder of the Year (Mark Cole), winner; 2023 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: winner (according to the firm, category not stated); 2022 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: winner (according to the firm, category not stated)

    0485 009 120Visit website
  9. 8

    Chapman Built

    Curtin. Canberra region

    Best for family-run extensions to older Canberra homes

    • Family business dating back to 1997, according to its website.
    • One point of contact for each project, the firm says.
    • Member of Master Builders ACT and HIA, with HIA GreenSmart accreditation.
    ACT builder licence
    20111321 Checked
    Building since
    1997
    Builds
    Extensions, Renovations, Knockdown rebuild, Heritage
    Member of
    Master Builders ACT, HIA
    More about Chapman Built

    Chapman Built is a family company that grew out of Peter Chapman's building work in Canberra from 1997. His son Luke, an engineer by training, now runs it and focuses on extensions, renovations and knockdown rebuilds. Its portfolio covers heritage and ex-government houses in suburbs such as Griffith, Garran, Mawson and Yarralumla.

    The firm says each job has a single point of contact and that it can arrange design, engineering, approvals and certification. It lists Master Builders ACT and HIA memberships, and Luke Chapman is an HIA GreenSmart Professional.

    0408 681 941Visit website
  10. 9

    Salt Renovations

    Fyshwick. All ACT suburbs including Hall, plus Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra

    5.0 from 55 Google reviews

    Best for whole-home renovations with in-house interior design

    • Won the 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW People's Choice Home.
    • States a 7-year waterproofing guarantee and 2-year minor guarantee.
    • In-house design studio in Fyshwick handles layouts and selections.
    ACT builder licence
    20201298 Checked
    Building since
    2015
    Builds
    Renovations, Design and build, Kitchens, Bathrooms
    More about Salt Renovations

    Salt Renovations was started in 2015 by Olivier Aldric, a carpenter and joiner with 17 years in the trade before that. From a Fyshwick office and design studio it handles complete home renovations along with kitchens, bathrooms and laundries, using its own interior designers to plan layouts and selections.

    A reworked family home won the 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW People's Choice Home. The firm states a 7-year waterproofing guarantee and 2-year minor guarantees, and says it handles after-sales warranty issues directly.

    Awards: 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: People's Choice Home, winner; 2025 HIA ACT/Southern NSW Housing Awards: Renovated Bathroom over $50,000, winner (according to the firm)

    02 6163 1663Visit website
  11. 10

    Drewaire Constructions

    Carwoola NSW. Canberra, Queanbeyan, Carwoola, Burra, Royalla, Wamboin, Bywong, Bungendore and surrounds

    3.0 from 2 Google reviews

    Best for heritage renovations and rural homes around Queanbeyan

    • Won the 2025 Master Builders ACT Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 million award.
    • The firm says it has more than 28 years of building experience.
    • Covers Canberra plus rural areas east of Queanbeyan.
    • Shows its ACT and NSW licence numbers and ABN on its homepage.
    ACT builder licence
    200313520 Checked
    Builds
    Renovations, Heritage, Custom homes, Rural properties
    More about Drewaire Constructions

    Drewaire Constructions builds custom homes, renovations and outdoor structures from a base near Queanbeyan, covering Canberra and the rural districts around Carwoola, Burra and Bungendore. The firm says it has more than 28 years of experience.

    Its 2025 Master Builders winner restored a 1936 inter-war functionalist house in Forrest, working with The Mill Architecture and Design, and judges singled out the builder and architect relationship. Its website lists further Master Builders and HIA wins, including a 2017 national Master Builders award.

    Awards: 2025 Master Builders ACT Excellence Awards: Renovation/Extension $450,000 to $1 million (Forrest), winner; 2024 Master Builders ACT Excellence in Building Awards: winner (according to the firm, category not stated); 2017 Master Builders Australia National Awards: winner (according to the firm)

    02 6299 7335Visit website

What a renovation costs in Canberra

Canberra's kitchen and bathroom figures sit near Sydney's. Extension rates are national figures.

WorkTypical cost
Ground floor extension (national guide)$2,000 to $4,000 per sqm
Ground floor extension (Canberra guide, incl. GST)$2,500 to $5,000 per sqm
Second storey addition$1,850 to $3,500 per sqm, often $200,000 to $450,000
Kitchen renovation, mid-range$27,500 to $49,500
Bathroom renovation, mid-range$22,000 to $38,500
Demolition, house (QS rate, Canberra)$180 to $295 per sqm

Extension and second storey ranges are national hipages figures (January 2026), with What's The Damage's Canberra builder guide (October 2026) for comparison. Kitchen and bathroom totals are Canberra figures from What's The Damage, including GST. Demolition is RLB Riders Digest 2026 for Canberra, excluding GST and asbestos removal. All exclude land.

Approvals for a Canberra renovation

You appoint the certifier. Your builder can't start until the certifier issues a commencement notice.

In the ACT, alterations, additions and demolition need building approval (BA). The steps:

  1. Development approval (a DA), unless your work is exempt. Ask your certifier or designer whether yours is exempt before you design.
  2. Appoint a certifier. You, the owner, appoint a licensed building surveyor as your certifier. They assess the plans for building approval. Applications are lodged with Access Canberra.
  3. Commencement notice. Once the BA is issued, your licensed builder applies to the certifier for a commencement notice. Work can't start before it's issued.

Contracts for houses or for work over $12,000 can't give the builder power to choose or remove your certifier. That keeps the person checking the work answerable to you.

Canberra demolition rates are among the highest in the country, at $180 to $295 per square metre in RLB's 2026 figures before any asbestos removal, so get demolition priced as a separate line.

ACT rules that protect you

The ACT protects renovations mainly through licence classes, insurance and the certifier, not deposit caps.

  • Licence class: a Class C builder licence covers low rise homes (class 1, 2 or 10a buildings of 2 storeys or lower). Class B and A cover more. If a company holds the licence, check its nominee holds the right class too. How to check a licence.
  • Insurance: residential building work costing $12,000 or more on a house or class 2 home of no more than 3 storeys needs residential building work insurance or a fidelity certificate from an approved fund (currently the Master Builders Fidelity Fund). The builder must have it before applying to the certifier for the commencement notice. Since 1 January 2025 minimum cover is $200,000 for 5 years, and you have 180 days from becoming aware of a problem to claim. How it works.
  • Contract: the ACT Government advises putting every building contract in writing.
  • Payments: there's no set schedule. The ACT Government advises paying only for completed stages set out in the contract, after the certifier has inspected the work.

Ask the builder what deposit they want before you sign. If a builder defaults before work exceeds the deposit, an insurance claim is limited to $10,000, so keep the deposit small and agree it in writing. On contract types, see fixed price or cost plus.

For disputes, raise the issue with the builder in writing. Compliance problems go to your certifier and Access Canberra; contract disputes can go to mediation through the Conflict Resolution Service, Access Canberra Fair Trading, or ACAT.

How to choose a renovation builder in Canberra

With no deposit cap to fall back on, the contract you negotiate does more of the work.

  • Check the class and the nominee. Search the Access Canberra list of builders, then confirm the class covers your job and, for a company, who the nominee is.
  • Check the disciplinary register on the Access Canberra site.
  • Agree a small deposit and stage payments tied to certifier inspections, all written into the contract.
  • Make sure the certifier is yours. Appoint them yourself and keep any clause giving the builder control over the certifier out of the contract.
  • Ask for comparable extensions, with owners you can call.
  • Ask for the insurance policy or fidelity certificate before work starts. It has to exist before the commencement notice anyway.

More in questions to ask a builder.

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 renovation 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.

Renovation builders in Canberra: common questions

How much does a home extension cost in Canberra?

National guides put a ground floor extension at $2,000 to $4,000 per square metre, and a Canberra builder cost guide gives $2,500 to $5,000 per square metre including GST, typically about $3,500. A second storey addition usually totals $200,000 to $450,000. Land isn't included.

Do I need building approval for an extension in Canberra?

Yes. Alterations and additions need building approval from a licensed building surveyor you appoint as certifier, and a development approval as well unless the work is exempt. Work can't start until the certifier issues a commencement notice.

What licence does a builder need for a house extension in the ACT?

At least a Class C builder licence, which covers low rise residential buildings of 2 storeys or lower. Class B and Class A licences also cover houses. Check the class on the Access Canberra list of builders.

When is home warranty insurance required in Canberra?

For residential building work costing $12,000 or more on a house or class 2 home of no more than 3 storeys. The builder needs the policy or a fidelity certificate before the commencement notice can be applied for. Minimum cover is $200,000 for 5 years.

How much does a bathroom renovation cost in Canberra?

A mid-range bathroom renovation in Canberra costs about $22,000 to $38,500 including GST, with $29,700 typical. Budget jobs start around $11,000 and luxury bathrooms reach $60,500 or more.

Can my builder pick the certifier in the ACT?

You appoint the certifier. Contracts for houses or work over $12,000 can't give the builder the power to choose or remove the certifier.

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