Can I change builders after Building Approval?
Yes. Building Approval is not issued to a particular builder, so you can change builders after BA. However, the replacement licensed builder must be properly appointed and the building commencement notice requirements must be addressed before the new builder undertakes the work.
Yes. You can change builders after Building Approval (BA) has been issued. ACT Planning’s building approval guideline expressly states that a BA is issued to the landowner, not to a particular builder, and that the owner may decide to change builders after approval is issued.
However, if a building commencement notice has already been issued for the existing builder, the change must be properly dealt with before the new builder carries out the work. The new licensed builder will generally need to be appointed and obtain the appropriate commencement notice for the work. The current approved form is AF2025-14 – Appointment of builder and application for commencement notice.
Reference: Building Act 2004—Form—Appointment of builder and application for commencement notice - https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/af/2025-14/
Link on the answer: https://www.legislation.act.gov.au/af/2025-14/
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| Dual Occupancy Q&A | #421 | agrees | 14/08/2026 |