Hire top-rated builders in SA
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What's your job?
Does the work involve structural elements (load-bearing walls, floor joists, foundations or similar)?
Estimated range
$583 – $2,679
Guide pricing only. Final quotes vary by scope, access, materials, and site conditions.
Free estimate · Quotes from up to 3 tradies
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Search a suburb, a postcode or a business you know.
We can help you find the right builder
Describe your job once, we’ll tell you what we think it should cost and then put you in contact with builders until you find the right quote.
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Describe the job once, we'll remember it so you don't have to say it again.
- 2
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Know roughly what your job should cost before you speak to a tradie.
- 3
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Compare prices and available credentials side by side, with no obligation to proceed.
Greater Adelaide
Builders based across the regions of Greater Adelaide.
Where the builders are
1,263builders
Builders in Central Adelaide & Hills
447 based here · Region
Builders in Western Adelaide
291 based here · Region
Builders in Northern Adelaide
285 based here · Region
Builders in Southern Adelaide
240 based here · Region
Regional SA
Builders based in the regions outside Greater Adelaide.
Where the builders are
258builders
Builders in SA South East
128 based here · Region
Builders in Barossa, Yorke & Mid North
73 based here · Region
Builders in SA Outback
57 based here · Region
Top suburbs in South Australia
What to expect when hiring builders in South Australia
Where builders in South Australia are based, how to choose one, what the job should cost, what a good quote includes and which licence to check.
Where builders are based in South Australia
Central Adelaide & Hills has the most builders in South Australia.
Builders based in each region
- None listed yet
- Water
The map shows approximately where businesses are based, but tradies will often travel for work. Darker shading means higher availability in an area.
Show regions as a list
More builders based here
Some builders based here
Fewer builders based here
How to choose a good builder in South Australia
Ratings in South Australia sit a little below nearby areas, at 4.38 stars on average. Use these numbers as a reference point when you compare profiles and quotes.
Ratings vary more here, so using the star rating will help you choose a good builder. The typical builder has 4 reviews. Of the 838 rated builders based in South Australia, 84 have 4.8 stars or more from at least 10 reviews.
SureQuote rankings take both star rating and review count into consideration to ensure you're seeing the best of the bunch. Updated October 2026.
- average rating
- 4.38
- typical reviews
- 4
- what the best have
- 4.8★ · 10+
Star rating
56% of builders here have 4.8 or more
Number of reviews
Half have 4 or fewer reviews
How do areas in South Australia compare?
| Area | Average star rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SA Outback27 rated builders2 typical reviews | 4.89 | 27 | 2 |
| Barossa, Yorke & Mid North40 rated builders3 typical reviews | 4.55 | 40 | 3 |
| SA South East73 rated builders3 typical reviews | 4.45 | 73 | 3 |
| Southern Adelaide124 rated builders4 typical reviews | 4.43 | 124 | 4 |
| All South Australia838 rated builders4 typical reviews | 4.38 | 838 | 4 |
| Western Adelaide167 rated builders4 typical reviews | 4.36 | 167 | 4 |
| Northern Adelaide154 rated builders4 typical reviews | 4.33 | 154 | 4 |
| Central Adelaide & Hills253 rated builders4 typical reviews | 4.31 | 253 | 4 |
What home building costs
Across Australia, home building typically runs $4,813 – $27,055 for small structure build, and $179,735 – $456,825 for extension build.
Local prices vary, so these are typical Australia-wide ranges, not a quote for South Australia. What you'll pay comes down to the size of the job, the condition of what's being worked on, and the finish you choose. Get a few quotes to see your exact number. It's free.
Things to consider before you book
The local conditions that shape the job, the best time of year to book, and what to sort out before you choose a builder.
Cooler Months Give Better Results
Summers in most of South Australia are warm enough to affect builder work — materials can dry or cure too quickly on the hottest days. Your tradie will plan their work around the temperature — prep and shade-side work in the heat, application when conditions are right.
What's in a good Home Building quote?
A good quote spells out how the job is priced and what's covered (labour, materials, prep and clean-up), so you're comparing like for like. Check what each builder's quote covers before you choose.
Worth knowing: getting two or three quotes is the simplest way to land a fair price, and it costs you nothing.
- 01Itemised scope
Every stage listed, site prep to finishing, not a lump sum.
- 02Material specs
Exact brand, grade and quantity, not 'good quality'.
- 03Exclusions
Driveways, landscaping, fencing and site costs are classic traps.
- 04Prime cost and provisional sums
Allowances for choices and site work not priced yet.
- 05Licence and insurance
ABN, licence, public liability and home warranty cover.
- 06Permits
Who gets permits, soil tests and compliance certificates.
Cheapest isn't always the best. Check these before you hire anybody.
Recent, genuine reviews
Read the latest ones, not just the count
Experience near you
Jobs like yours, done locally
Credentials for the job
Licence, insurance and business details
A clear written quote
Itemised, so you can compare like-for-like
Hiring a builder in SA
What the law requires before and after you sign.
Builders need a licence in SA for any job.
Staff employed by a licensed business need no licence of their own.
- Licence
- Building work contractor's licence
- Categories
- Any building work, Light commercial/industrial and residential building work, Residential building work
- Regulator
- Consumer and Business Services
- Written contractfrom$20,000
The contract must be in writing and signed by both of you. It must show the builder’s licence number and a fixed price.
Applies to home building jobs.
- Deposit capup to5%
Applies to contracts of $20,000 or more. After work starts, the builder can charge only for work already done.
Applies only to contracts of $20,000 or more. Smaller jobs have no deposit limit.
- Home warranty insurancefrom$20,000minimum cover $250,000
The builder needs it only when the work needs council approval. It must be in place before work starts.
Applies to home building jobs.
- Cooling-off period5 business dayson contracts over $20,000
Give the builder signed written notice. If they gave you no proper contract or insurance, you can cancel until the work is finished.
Applies to home building jobs.
Sources: Building Work Contractors Act 1995, sa.gov.au, Building Work Contractors Regulations 2026, cbs.sa.gov.au. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Hiring builders
How much do builders typically charge?
Do builders charge call-out fees?
Do builders need a licence in Australia?
Do I need a licensed Builder in South Australia?
Using SureQuote
Is the SureQuote estimate a quote, and why can a tradie's quote be different?
What happens after I submit my job, and how many tradies will contact me?
Is it free to get quotes, and does the tradie's fee raise my price?
Can I add photos to my job?
Do I have to hire one of the tradies?
Does SureQuote check tradies' licences and insurance?
Questions about home building in SA
Do builders need a licence in SA?
Builders need a licence in SA for any job.
Staff employed by a licensed business need no licence of their own.
The licence is the Building work contractor's licence.
How do I check a builder's licence in SA?
Ask the builder for their licence number, then look them up on the Consumer and Business Services public register.
Check a licenceWho regulates builders in SA?
Builders are regulated by Consumer and Business Services.
Are there exceptions to the licence rule for builders in SA?
Carpet and vinyl need no licence, unless used for waterproofing.
Floating floors need no licence. Floor tiling does.
Do I need a written contract with a builder in SA?
Home building jobs from $20,000 need a written contract.
The contract must be in writing and signed by both of you. It must show the builder’s licence number and a fixed price.
How much deposit can a builder ask for in SA?
A builder can ask for a deposit of up to 5%.
Applies to contracts of $20,000 or more. After work starts, the builder can charge only for work already done.
Applies only to contracts of $20,000 or more. Smaller jobs have no deposit limit.
Does a builder have to give me home warranty insurance in SA?
Home building jobs from $20,000 need home warranty insurance, with minimum cover of $250,000.
The builder needs it only when the work needs council approval. It must be in place before work starts.
Is there a cooling-off period for a contract with a builder in SA?
You have 5 business days to cool off on contracts over $20,000.
Give the builder signed written notice. If they gave you no proper contract or insurance, you can cancel until the work is finished.
Sources: Building Work Contractors Act 1995, sa.gov.au, cbs.sa.gov.au, Building Work Contractors Regulations 2026. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
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Every region in SA
Each region with its areas. Numbers are builders based there.
Greater Adelaide
Greater Adelaide hubRegional SA
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