But before you start work, make sure you understand your rights, responsibilities and protections.
Our Industry Snapshot highlights the top defects we see across the sector, and waterproofing failures are high on the list, along with poor balcony drainage. These mistakes don’t just damage your unit – they can hit your neighbours and common property hard.
To help you avoid costly surprises, we’ve put together a quick guide on what to check before you renovate.
Before you renovate
- Check your strata by‑laws to see if your renovation is allowed and whether you need written approval from the body corporate, especially for work that affects shared areas (common property) or building systems (e.g. pipes, electrical wiring, load-bearing walls, etc).
- Visit the QBCC’s Home Owner Hub, which provides a useful five-step guide to building and renovating, including help with finding an appropriately licensed professional for the work that needs to be done.
- Understand if your work is covered by the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS) which provides protection for residential construction work, but it does not cover all work. Building work to or for a duplex or multiple dwelling of more than three storeys (excluding a car park level) is not covered by the QHWS. This includes any work done in an individual unit in this type of building.
Practical checklist for apartment renovations
| Item to check | What to request |
|---|---|
| Body Corporate approval | Written approval: minutes or resolution if required |
| Contractor licence | Licence number, which can be verified via the QBCC’s Licensee Register. Licensees who have opted for a digital licence can show you their credentials on their mobile phone via the Queensland digital licence app |
| Waterproofing | Waterproofing certificate to state waterproofing meets all relevant standards |
| Inspections | Independent sign offs and/or certificates at waterproofing and milestone completion stages to ensure accordance with relevant standards |
| Contract terms | A written and compliant contract – without this you may not be entitled to enforce your rights. This should include details of the scope of work, milestones and progress payments, dispute clause, cooling off periods. The QBCC provides a free contract checklist on our website. |
| Insurance | If your apartment is in a building with no more than 3 storeys above a car park, the contractor is required to take out a QHWS policy on your behalf. Make sure you receive an email from the QBCC confirming your cover. If you do not receive this, follow up with your contractor. Taking out relevant insurance if your apartment is in a building more than 3 storeys above a car park |
If you suspect defective work
Stop work that could worsen the issue and document the problem with photos and notes.
Inform the contractor as soon as possible – explaining the suspected issue and, if confirmed, agreeing a way forward to resolve it, including timeframes (make sure you email the contractor to confirm in writing what was discussed, what was agreed and the timeframe for repairs).
If the work is not fixed by your contractor as agreed, contact the QBCC to understand your options for support and assistance. Options are available for eligible home owners under the under the QHWS. If you are not eligible for the QHWS – because your apartment or unit is in a building over 3 storeys – the QBCC may still be able to assist by directing the builder to fix the defects under a Direction to Rectify (DTR).
