Disputes with a builder or tradesperson

Complaining to a builder or tradesperson about work they've done is often straightforward. If you have a problem with any business that has done work at your home, try the options below before contacting Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

If you're operating a business and have an issue with a builder or tradesperson that you can't resolve, contact the Small Business Commissioner of South Australia.

Getting help from CBS

CBS is responsible for the administration of the Building Work Contractors Act 1995.

CBS can give advice and information that can help you reach an agreement or help if:

• your claim isn't currently being heard in court
• work was done in South Australia
• products or services were advertised or bought in South Australia
• the work or products were for personal use.

You'll need to show that you have tried to contact the business, for example a copy of a letter describing the problem, diary entries that show dates and times. The sample letter of complaint to a builder or tradesperson (17.7 KB DOCX) will help you include all the information the business needs.

Reporting a business

Each year, CBS sets strategic compliance and enforcement priority areas and often this includes aspects of the building industry.

Access the most recent enforcement priority areas.

Advice and Conciliation

The Advice and Conciliation Branch provides advice to consumers on fair trading matters to educate and give tools to consumers so that they may try and resolve the matter with the trader directly.

Our conciliation service is generally only offered when consumers have used reasonable attempts to resolve their disputes with traders, and where the matter has been assessed as suitable for conciliation. This includes an assessment of the level of detriment involved.

More serious matters may be assessed as suitable for a compulsory conciliation conference, which is usually undertaken face to face with all parties, including the CBS conciliator, in the same room. A trader who is asked by the Commissioner to attend a compulsory conciliation conference, must attend or risk being penalised.

CBS also undertakes voluntary conciliation conferences in person or by telephone. A very large number of matters are resolved using CBS’ advice and conciliation services each year.

Taking action through the court

Civil claims, on the Courts Administration Authority website, guides you through each step of formal legal action.