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Avoid the Dodgy Builder List Sydney: 5 Vetting Steps

Five concrete steps to vet any Sydney builder and avoid hiring a dodgy one — from licence checks to reference calls.

TL;DR You don't need a dodgy builder list — you need a vetting routine. These five steps screen out the operators who end up on enforcement registers: verify the licence, confirm HBC insurance, demand a fixed-price contract, check deposit and payment terms, and call real references. Run all five and you've done more due diligence than most homeowners ever do. Step 1: Verify the licence Use the NSW Fair Trading licence check with the builder's exact legal name and licence number. Confirm it's current, correctly named and covers the class of work. No licence where one is required voids your protections — this is non-negotiable. Step 2: Confirm HBC insurance For most residential work over $20,000, the builder must provide Home Building Compensation cover before taking a deposit. Ask for the c…