PRACTICAL CONSUMER HELP
Building or renovating is exciting, but it can also be complex.
This page brings together everything you need to plan, protect and progress your project, including common FAQs, links to our own consumer resources, and the external organisations that can help if things go wrong.
Most building work in the ACT requires approval, but the type depends on the scope. Larger projects, such as new homes, major alterations and additions that change the building footprint usually require a Development Approval. Many smaller internal renovations, repairs, and some small additions may only require a Building Approval. Check the Planning ACT website for guidance on when each approval applies.
A good contract clearly sets out:
Don’t sign anything until you’re comfortable with every clause. If in doubt, have a legal professional review it before you commit.
The Master Builders Fidelity Fund is a consumer protection scheme operated in the ACT. When you engage a builder for residential building work valued over $12,000, the Fund can help protect you if the builder fails to complete the work. A Fidelity Fund claim may only be made in circumstances of a builder’s death, insolvency or disappearance.
Find out more on the Master Builders Fidelity Fund website.
First, raise the issue with your builder in writing and give them a reasonable opportunity to fix it. If it can’t be resolved, escalate through the right channels:
A variation is any change to the agreed scope of building work. Variations are one of the most common sources of building disputes. Always get variations in writing before work proceeds, including the exact change, the cost impact, and the time impact. Never rely on verbal agreements. A good builder will document variations as a matter of course.
ACAT provides an independent, low-cost forum for resolving building disputes without the need to go to court. ACAT can make legally binding orders for payment, rectification of defective work, or other remedies. It’s a sensible next step when negotiation with your builder has failed.
The official ACT Government guide to building and renovating in the Territory. It covers the approvals process, timelines, and requirements, including when you need a Development Approval, how to apply, and what Building Approval involves.
The Fidelity Fund safeguards your project from the financial impact of non-completion or defective work by a builder. Visit the Fidelity Fund website to understand how the fund works, who is covered, how to make a claim, and the applicable limits and timeframes.
The ACT Government’s first-stop shop for consumers and businesses. Through Access Canberra you can check a builder’s licence, lodge a complaint about a licensed builder, verify compliance with regulatory requirements, and access a wide range of ACT government services.
If your matter needs legal advice, the ACT Law Society’s referral service can connect you with a solicitor experienced in building and construction law. Many ACT solicitors offer a fixed-fee initial consultation, so you can understand your position before taking further action.
Legal Aid ACT provides free or low-cost legal advice and assistance to eligible ACT residents, including for some building-related disputes. They can help you understand your rights, options, and the best path forward.
The information on this page is provided as a general guide only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your project or dispute, please consult a qualified legal professional.
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