Home owners are required to juggle insurance claims, urgent repairs and important decisions at a highly heightened time. It’s also a time that, unfortunately, sees unlicensed or dishonest operators take advantage of these situations to prey on vulnerable people.
As Queensland’s building regulator, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is committed to supporting home owners with clear, practical guidance during these challenging periods. By sharing the steps below, we’re helping Queenslanders make informed decisions, maintain safety standards, and achieve better outcomes during recovery.
How to protect yourself
1. Always use a licensed contractor
A licensed contractor meets legal standards, and their work is eligible for QHWS protections. The QBCC licensee register search tool makes this easy. You can check if a contractor is licensed on the QBCC licensee register.
If you’re looking for a licensed contractor in your area, use our ‘Find a local contractor tool’.
2. Start with the right contract
Most flood-related repairs fall under natural disaster repair work, and having a proper contract in place is important. The QBCC provides a Natural Disaster Repairs Contract designed to outline the scope, responsibilities and payment arrangements so home owners and contractors begin work with shared expectations.
Using a QBCC-approved contract protects both parties and ensures you can access the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme if something goes wrong.
You can download the QBCC Natural Disaster Repairs Contract here.
3. Know the rules about deposits
With increased demand for repairs after severe weather events, home owners may feel pressured into paying higher deposits than are legally allowed. Queensland law sets clear limits:
- $20,000 or more → Maximum deposit 5%
- $3,300 to $19,999 → Maximum deposit 10%
- $3,300 or less → Maximum deposit 20%.
4. Get multiple written quotes
Compare more than cost. Look at experience, timeframes, inclusions, exclusions and warranties.
5. Watch out for high-pressure tactics
Phrases like “I’m only in the area today” or “pay cash now” are common red flags.
Giving home owners the knowledge to spot and avoid risky operators is part of the QBCC’s commitment to maintaining compliance and standards across the industry, especially during times of heightened vulnerability.
Trusted resources
- Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA)
- QBCC Storms & Natural Disasters Hub
- QBCC Home Owner Hub: A 5-step guide to building and renovating
By sharing these steps, the QBCC is helping home owners rebuild with confidence while supporting safe practices, empowering better decision-making and focusing on positive outcomes for Queensland families and communities.
