Do works over $3,000 need to be registered with the QBCC?

The QBCC website explains that you need a written contract if you are carrying out domestic building work priced over $3300, including labour, materials and GST: QBBC: Domestic building contracts

Domestic building work includes:

• building a new detached dwelling (including a duplex)
• building a structure associated with a home, such as a shed, garage, carport, retaining structure, driveway, fence, workshop, swimming pool or spa
• removing or re-siting a dwelling intended to be used as a residence
• renovating, extending, altering, improving (including painting and installing services) or repairing a house, duplex or unit
• refitting a kitchen or bathroom, and
• landscaping, paving, site work, etc.

The QBCC provides a standard domestic contract that you can use in these circumstances: QBBC: Domestic building contracts

Your contractor should supply you with a contract, but in reality, this step is often missed or avoided by contractors as they don’t like the extra paperwork.

If you ask a contractor to provide you with a contract and they refuse, that is probably a red flag, and you might want to consider whether it is worth continuing with them.

If you don’t sign a contract, you may be giving up some of your legal protection as a consumer, and it may be harder to take action if there is any dispute with the work.

However, works that cost over $3300 inc GST should be conducted by QBCC-licensed professionals, and you should ask any contractors you engage for their licence and insurance details. You can cross-reference the documents on the QBCC’s license search page.

If they are registered and insured, you are probably safe to proceed. If not, you should probably look for someone else.