The Story Behind Build Index

In 2021, we set out to knock down and rebuild our home. Like many people facing a major construction project, we found the process confusing and overwhelming.

We visited display villages like Homeworld hoping to get clarity - but ended up wandering from builder to builder with no structure or way to compare. It felt like we were making one of the biggest financial decisions of our lives based on glossy brochures, surface impressions, and gut feel.

Eventually, we signed with a builder who looked great on the surface. Their marketing was polished and their sales process was smooth - but once the contract was signed, the experience fell apart. Communication was poor, timelines blew out, and after two exhausting years, the builder went into liquidation - leaving us out of pocket and with an unfinished home.

It was only through that painful process that we discovered there were red flags about the builder on NSW government and ASIC public registers at the time we engaged them. We had no idea where to look - and no one had pointed us to that information.

Even more frustrating was the realisation that there were excellent, reliable builders we could have chosen - builders who didn’t have flashy marketing or a high-profile presence. But we never found them, because they weren’t in front of us at the time.

We had to start over - this time to find someone to complete the build. But with everything we’d learned, we approached it differently. We dug deeper, looked past the surface, and used every tool we could find to research properly. Fortunately, we found a fantastic builder willing to step in, and we were finally able to complete our home in mid-2024.

That’s why we created Build Index - to give others what we wished we had: a smarter, structured way to research and compare builders. By bringing together independent data - from building licences, ASIC notices, Google reviews, industry awards and more, Build Index helps surface not just the big names, but also the quiet achievers who do great work and deserve to be found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your suburb or postcode in the search box to see builders working in your area. Use the filters to narrow your search and click a builder to learn more. If you already have someone in mind, enter their name to go directly to their profile.

Yes. Use the 'Contact Builder' button on a builder's profile to reach out directly.

Yes, it's completely free to use.

Build Index includes licensed builders who construct new residential homes (knockdown-rebuilds, house and land packages, duplexes, granny flats) or carry out major renovations such as extensions. We currently exclude builders focused only on the construction of commercial or apartment buildings or minor works like decks, sheds, and small additions.

We aggregate data from NSW government and ASIC public registers, Google review data and published award results from the NSW Master Builders Association (MBA) and Housing Industry Association (HIA).

Project data relates to NSW only, taken from the public register of Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) policies.

Look for icons and links to source website pages throughout the site for more detail.

Build Index currently focuses on New South Wales, but we're open to expanding in future.

Over 900 builders are currently listed, with more added every week.

Here are the definitions of each of the buliding services included in Build Index:

  • Pre-designed homes: based on a builder's existing set of floorplans. These are often quicker and more cost-effective to build, and many builders allow you to make changes - like flipping the layout, extending a room, or upgrading fixtures
  • Custom homes: designed from the ground up to suit your specific site, lifestyle, and preferences. It offers full flexibility, usually involving an architect or designer working closely with you
  • House & land: package where the buyer secures a block of land and construction of a home in one process, but two contracts: one for the land (with the developer) and one for the home (with the builder)
  • Sustainable homes: designed to reduce energy use, water consumption, and environmental impact. It may feature solar panels, passive heating/cooling, low-toxicity materials, and efficient insulation
  • Duplexes: consists of two homes on a single block - either attached side-by-side or one above the other. A popular option for maximising land value or multigenerational living
  • Granny flats: a compact, self-contained home on the same lot as the main residence. Often used for elderly family members, rental income, or guest accommodation
  • Renovations: updating or reworking parts of an existing home - like kitchens, bathrooms, or living spaces - to improve functionality, appearance, or value without altering the home's footprint
  • Extensions & additions: increasing the size of your home by adding new rooms or levels. This could include new bedrooms, living areas, or a second storey
  • Heritage restorations: focuses on repairing or updating older homes while preserving their historic features. Requires specialised expertise and may need council approvals due to heritage protections

Absolutely. Contact us with the builder's details, and we'll include them if eligible.