Resolving building disputes
If you own a home or commercial building, you can get help to resolve a dispute with someone who has:
- done building work on your property
- created building plans for your property.
Disputes involving a builder
If you have an issue with someone you hired to do building work for you (e.g. a builder, contractor or designer) follow these steps to resolve the issue.
Step 1: Tell the builder or contractor in writing
When you have a problem or concern about building work completed on or for your property, the first thing you should do is tell the person you hired to do the work about your concerns. It is best to do this in writing as well as in person or over the phone.
When writing your letter:
- Keep it short and easy to understand.
- Use facts and keep your emotions out of it.
- Explain how you would like the problem fixed.
- Make sure to date, sign, and keep a copy.
Allow 2 weeks for them to fix the problem or offer you a solution you think is fair. Hopefully you will be able to agree on an outcome.
Step 2: Make a complaint to QBCC
If you're still not happy, you can make a complaint to your nearest Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) office. QBCC may be able to help with:
- defective work complaints
- complaints against certifiers
- building design complaints
- incomplete work
- complaints about pre-purchase and termite inspections
- unlicensed contractor complaints.
QBCC will try to work with you and the person who carried out the building work to resolve the problem. If they can’t help you come to an agreement, they may visit your home to inspect the building work.
If an inspection occurs, the QBCC representative will:
- inspect the complaint items and decide if they are defective building work
- determine who is at fault (if there is defective building work)
- decide what subsequent action is required (e.g. directing the builder or contractor to fix the defective building work).
If the builder or contractor doesn’t fix the work, QBCC may:
- give a fine to the person who did your building work
- add demerit points to their QBCC licence
- publish details of the direction on their public record.
If QBCC is unable to help with your complaint or you are not happy with the result of the QBCC’s dispute resolution process, you can contact the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Step 3: Contact QCAT
To dispute the decision made by the QBCC, you can apply for a hearing with QCAT.
QCAT can also directly hear disputes about domestic and commercial building work.
Visit QCAT’s website to learn about:
QCAT cannot decide disputes about building works carried out outside of Queensland.
Read QCAT’s Building and construction disputes guide to learn more.
How to apply
Visit QCAT’s website to find out how to apply for the review of a QBCC decision.
Complaints not involving a builder
You may also be able to apply to QCAT about a dispute with someone who isn't a builder but is related to building your property. This may include:
- architects
- surveyors
- engineers
- quantity surveyors
- electricians or electrical contractors
- suppliers or manufacturers of materials used in the building.
Access QCAT’s guide to start the dispute resolution process.