Home builders in Western Australia

Western Australia works through local planning schemes under a state framework, with the Perth metropolitan area additionally governed by region planning. The practical effect for a homeowner is that the zoning code — the R-code density on your block — does a lot of the work that overlays do in the eastern states.

North of about Carnarvon the cyclone wind regions change what a house must be built to, and the difference is structural rather than cosmetic. Sand sites through the Perth corridor bring their own footing and retaining considerations that differ markedly from Melbourne's reactive clay.

Building work in Western Australia is regulated by Building and Energy, which registers builders and oversees the industry.

Home Indemnity Insurance in WA is provided by private insurers, not a government fund. That matters if something goes wrong: your claim is against a named insurer under a policy taken out for your contract, and you should be given that certificate before work starts. If you were not, ask for it.

We run those checks before a builder is listed and publish the date. Repeat any of them yourself — we would rather you did.