Who's working on your home?

Are the licensed and insured

When you’re building or renovating, who you hire really matters. Not just in terms of price or whether they’re a “good bloke”—but whether they’re licensed and insured. It might sound like a boring box to tick, but honestly, it’s one of the most important parts of the whole process.

We get it—it’s easy to be tempted by a cheaper quote or a friend-of-a-friend who can “do it for cash.” But if something goes wrong (and sometimes it does), that shortcut can turn into a major headache.

1. It’s Actually the Law

In Queensland, any building work over $3,300 needs to be done by someone with a QBCC licence. That’s not a guideline—it’s the law.

If your builder or tradie isn’t licensed for the work you’ve hired them for, they’re not just doing the wrong thing legally—you’re left with zero protection if things go pear-shaped. And trust me, fixing dodgy work isn’t cheap.

👉 Quick tip: You can check licences easily online at the QBCC website. It’s public info, and it’s free.

2. Insurance = Your Safety Net

When you work with a licensed contractor, they’re required to carry the right insurances to protect both you and them.

This usually includes:

• Public liability insurance – covers damage to your property or someone getting hurt

• Workers compensation – if someone gets injured on site, they’re covered

• QBCC home warranty insurance – this one’s a biggie. It protects you if your builder disappears, goes bust, or doesn’t finish the job properly

  
  

Now think about this:

👉 What would happen if your builder walked off the job halfway through?

👉 What if someone got injured on-site?

👉 Or worse—what if a mistake damages your home outside the renovation area?

If the contractor isn’t properly insured, you’re the one left to deal with the fallout—and that could mean forking out thousands of dollars and a whole lot of stress.

3. Quality & Accountability Matter

Having a licence shows that a builder or tradie has the skills, experience, and know-how to meet the standards our industry demands. It also means they’re answerable to someone—the QBCC, in this case.

That’s important. If something isn’t right, you have a formal path to lodge a complaint or seek help.

Unlicensed operators? You’re basically on your own. The QBCC likely won’t help, and legal recourse can get tricky (and expensive).

4. Protecting One of Your Biggest Investments

Whether you’re doing a $25K bathroom or a full custom build, you’re spending serious money—and probably dreaming about this for a long time. You want to know that money is going into something solid and safe.

Here’s something most people don’t realise: your own home insurance might not cover damage caused by unlicensed or uninsured workers.

So even if you’ve done everything right, your insurance can be voided because they didn’t. That’s a scary thought.

And if anything goes wrong during the job—structural damage, unfinished works, someone hurt on site—you need to know your bases are covered. If they’re not insured, guess what? The cost falls back on you.

5. The Risk Isn’t Worth It

Yes, licensed and insured trades might cost more up front. But that extra cost is there for a reason—it protects you, your home, and your peace of mind.

We’ve seen what happens when people try to cut corners. It’s never worth it. Not when your house, your family, or your finances are at stake.

We’ve Got You Covered at TBK

At TBK Constructions, we’re fully licensed, insured, and we only work with trades who are the same.

We don’t cut corners. We don’t risk your home. And we’re happy to answer any questions you’ve got—whether you’re building with us or not.

If you’re not sure what to ask, or just want to check someone’s details, reach out.

We’ll help you make sure you’re protected.