Baserock
Victoria · Free builder check

Don't build blind. Check your Victorian builder first.

Every builder doing domestic work over $10,000 in Victoria must be registered. Here's how to check theirs in under a minute — and what to do if something doesn't look right.

Check a Victorian builder
Enter a builder's name, ABN, or registration number.
Free — always Independent — not affiliated with any builder Sourced from public records
Every check we run
Registration & licensingConfirms VBA registration, class held, status and expiry.
Company & ABNVerifies the trading entity, ABN status and directors.
Insurance eligibilityChecks Domestic Building Insurance cover and eligibility.
Compliance historyReviews the BPC prosecution & disciplinary register.
Regulatory & community alertsCourt cases, insolvency, ACCC, ASIC and WorkSafe checks.
ReputationAggregates verified reviews and rating trends.
The short answer

Three ways to check a builder in Victoria

Builder registration is managed by the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) — formerly the Victorian Building Authority.

  1. Use the free tool aboveSearch by name, ABN or registration number. Baserock pulls registration, company details, insurance eligibility, disciplinary history and reviews into one report.
  2. Search the official BPC registerThe regulator's Find a Practitioner search is the source of truth. Always confirm there before you sign.
  3. Ask the builder for their registration numberThen check the number matches the name and class on the register — not just that a number exists.
The most important check: the name on your contract must match the name on the registration. A common problem is signing with a company that isn't the registered entity.
Know what you're looking at

What the registration classes mean

Registration isn't one thing. The class determines what work a builder can legally do — and how big the contract can be.

DB-UDomestic Builder (Unlimited)

All domestic building work — new homes, extensions, renovations, multi-storey residential. No contract-value cap.

DB-LDomestic Builder (Limited)

Limited to specific categories or a capped contract value. If your project sits near the cap, confirm the exact limit with the BPC.

CB-L / CB-UCommercial Builder

Commercial work only. A commercial licence does not authorise domestic building work.

Watch for this: a builder with a commercial licence, or a Limited class beneath your contract value, may not be legally permitted to do your job — even if they're "registered."
Reading your result

What each registration status means

Current

Registered and active. Still confirm the class covers your project and that insurance is in place.

Expiring soon

Active, but renews shortly. Ask whether renewal is underway before signing a long project.

Lapsed

Not currently registered. It's illegal to carry out domestic work over $10,000 without registration.

Registration isn't everything

Four more checks before you sign

A current licence tells you a builder is allowed to build. It doesn't tell you whether they're a safe bet.

Domestic Building Insurance (DBI)

For contracts of $16,000 or more, your builder must hold DBI. It protects your deposit and progress payments if they die, disappear, or become insolvent. Eligibility isn't the same as a policy — insist on a certificate issued for your project.

The company behind the name

Check the ABN and entity are active, and that they match the name on your quote and contract. A director linked to recently deregistered building companies can be a warning sign.

Disciplinary history

The BPC keeps a prosecution and disciplinary register. A single listing isn't proof of wrongdoing — but it's worth understanding before you commit.

Disputes and court records

VCAT hears domestic building disputes. A cluster of recent matters is a signal worth reading in full.

Baserock's free report runs all of these in one place. Check a builder →
If something's wrong

What to do if your builder isn't registered

  1. Don't sign or pay a depositUnregistered domestic building work over $10,000 is unlawful in Victoria, and you may be unable to get Domestic Building Insurance.
  2. Confirm on the official registerNames get entered inconsistently. Search by registration number as well as by name before concluding anything.
  3. Ask the builder directlyThey may be registered under a different entity name, or renewal may be in progress. Get the number and verify it.
  4. Report it if neededUnregistered building work can be reported to the BPC. Consumer Affairs Victoria can also advise on your rights.
Free reports

Recently checked builders

Every registered Victorian builder has a free report.

Metricon HomesRegistered · CDB-U Simonds HomesRegistered · CDB-U Henley HomesRegistered · CDB-U Burbank AustraliaRegistered · CDB-U Fairhaven HomesRegistered · CDB-U Carlisle HomesRegistered · CDB-U
Common questions

Frequently asked

Do all builders need to be registered in Victoria?
Any builder carrying out domestic building work valued over $10,000 must be registered with the Building and Plumbing Commission. Work under that threshold may not require registration, but a written contract is still strongly recommended.
Is checking a builder's registration free?
Yes. The official BPC register is free to search, and Baserock's builder report is free to run. You never pay to confirm whether a builder is registered.
What's the difference between the VBA and the BPC?
The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) was Victoria's building regulator. It has since become part of the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC). You'll still see "VBA registration number" used widely — it refers to the same registration.
Does registration mean a builder is any good?
No. Registration means they meet the minimum legal requirement to carry out building work. It says nothing about quality, reliability, financial stability, or dispute history — which is why it's worth checking insurance, company standing and disciplinary records too.
Can I check a builder's disciplinary history?
Yes. The BPC publishes a prosecution and disciplinary register, and VCAT decisions involving domestic building disputes are publicly searchable. Baserock's report surfaces these alongside registration and company details.
What if the builder's name doesn't match the registration?
This is a common and serious warning sign. The entity named on your contract should be the registered entity. Ask the builder to explain any difference, and confirm the registered name on the official register before signing.
Don't build blind

Check your builder before you sign

Registration, insurance, company standing, disciplinary history and reviews — one free report, in about a minute.

Check a builder →
Victoria NSW — coming soon QLD — coming soon

About this page. Baserock compiles publicly available records into a plain-English summary. It reports facts as at the dates shown — it is not a rating, recommendation, or guarantee, and it doesn't replace confirming details directly with the Building and Plumbing Commission or getting your own contract and legal advice before you sign. Sources: BPC Building Practitioner Register · Australian Business Register · VCAT · Google Reviews.