Partner Directory & Licence Checking

Partner Directory Policy

What this directory is

The Queenslander Built Partner Directory is a paid listing service for businesses that serve Brisbane Queenslander owners and renovators: house raisers, structural engineers, builders, certifiers, trades, suppliers and related services.

A listing is paid placement. It is not a personal endorsement and not a guarantee that the business is the best fit for your project.

What we say to our readers

• Every paid listing is clearly labelled Sponsored or Paid placement, with a tooltip explaining what that means
• The directory is separate from “trades I used on this project” - any historical mention of a trade we worked with on the Coorparoo project sits in editorial content, with the date the relationship existed, and is not a paid listing
• Affiliate links elsewhere on the site are disclosed in the body of the relevant page, not just in a footer modal
• We do not accept payment to remove a critical mention of a business from the site

How we choose who can list

To be eligible to list in the directory, a business must:

1. Hold a current Queensland licence relevant to the work they advertise (QBCC builder licence, electrical licence, plumbing licence, structural engineering registration, certifier licence, etc.) - we verify the licence is current at time of listing
2. Operate in Queensland (initially South East Queensland)
3. Provide a current public ABN
4. Provide a method of contact that we can verify (email, phone, business address)
5. Agree to our directory terms

We reserve the right to refuse any listing without giving a reason.

What gets a partner removed

A partner can be removed from the directory at any time if:

• Their licence lapses or is suspended
• We receive substantiated complaints from readers about quality, conduct or honouring quotes
• They misrepresent their offering, qualifications or relationship with us
• They breach our directory terms
• They cease operating

We do not pro-rata refund the unused portion of a listing in cases of removal for cause; we do refund pro-rata where a partner ceases operating in good faith (e.g. retirement, illness).

How we verify partners

• At listing: licence verified through QBCC public register or equivalent, ABN verified, contact method tested
• Annually: every listing is re-verified at renewal. We do not auto-renew without re-verification.
• Reader-flagged: complaints are investigated within 14 days. Where a complaint is substantiated, we contact the partner and require remediation; serious or repeated issues lead to removal.

Pricing transparency

Listing fees are published on the Advertise page. We do not offer “premium placement” tiers that are invisible to readers: if a business pays more for a higher position, that pricing structure is published.

Affiliate links

Where the site contains affiliate links to third-party products or services (e.g. tools we recommend), the affiliate relationship is disclosed in the body of the page where the link appears. Disclosures use this wording:

“This is an affiliate link. If you buy through it, Queenslander Built may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have used and would use again.”

We do not insert affiliate links into editorial content without the disclosure. We do not have hidden affiliate relationships.

Sponsored content

Where any article on the site is paid for by a third party (e.g. a sponsored deep-dive on a particular product), it is clearly marked Sponsored at the top, in a different visual style from editorial content and the sponsoring business is named. We do not edit existing editorial content under sponsorship pressure.

Conflicts of interest

If we list a partner that we have also used personally on our own project, that is disclosed on their listing. If we receive sample products or trials from a business in exchange for a review, that is disclosed in the review.

Annual policy review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as the directory evolves. The “Last updated” date below reflects the most recent review.

How we select businesses for the directory

Being listed in the Queenslander Built directory is not an endorsement or recommendation. You must independently verify every business's licence, insurance, experience and suitability before engaging them.

What we look at

• Relevance to Queenslander renovation, raising or related services in Brisbane or SEQ
• Whether the business appears to hold current registration or licensing where required (e.g. QBCC licence)
• Whether the business has a verifiable presence (website, ABN, trading address)
• Whether the category is genuinely useful to homeowners planning a Queenslander project

What we do not check

• Current QBCC licence status or any licence conditions - check directly at qbcc.qld.gov.au
• Insurance coverage, type or limits
• Financial stability or solvency
• The quality or outcomes of any business's work
• Customer complaints or dispute history
• References from past clients
• Pricing fairness or market competitiveness

Why businesses are included

Businesses may be listed because they applied, because we have personal experience with them (disclosed where relevant), because they were recommended by someone with direct experience or because they operate in a category where good professionals are genuinely hard to find. The reason for listing is disclosed on each entry where it is relevant.

Your responsibility before engaging anyone

Before engaging any professional, whether listed here or found elsewhere, you should:

• Check their QBCC licence in the QBCC licensee register
• Confirm they hold appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance
• Ask for references and follow them up
• Get at least two to three comparable quotes
• Read any contract carefully before signing, and consider legal advice for large contracts
• Confirm they have experience specifically with the type of work your project involves

How to check a Queensland licence

Never assume a contractor is licensed. Always verify directly, before you sign a contract and before they start work.

The QBCC licence register

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) maintains a public register of licensed contractors, builders, certifiers and other building industry professionals. You can search by name, company name or licence number at the QBCC licensee register.

What to check

• Licence status. Confirm the licence is current and not suspended, cancelled or subject to conditions. A lapsed licence means the contractor cannot legally carry out licensed work.
• Licence category. Make sure the licence category matches the work: a builder's licence is different from an electrical contractor licence, which is different again from a building certifier's licence.
• Licence holder name vs trading name. The licensed party is the individual or company on the QBCC register. If they trade under a different name, confirm the relationship between the trading name and the licensed entity.
• Public liability insurance. Ask for a current certificate of currency for public liability insurance. The minimum in Queensland is $500,000, but $5 million or more is typical for building contractors.
• Professional indemnity insurance. For engineers, certifiers and designers, confirm they hold current professional indemnity insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency.

Other checks to consider

• Ask for references from recent similar projects, and call them
• Check ABN status on the ABN Lookup website (abr.business.gov.au)
• Search for QBCC complaint history if you have concerns - some complaint information is publicly accessible
• For large contracts, consider having a solicitor review the contract
• For building certifiers, confirm they are registered with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission as a private certifier
• For structural engineers, confirm they are a registered professional engineer in Queensland (RPEQ)

Licensing and insurance requirements change. This guide reflects publicly available information and is not professional legal or compliance advice. For advice specific to your project, consult a solicitor or contact the relevant regulatory body directly.