Plan the timber work before choosing a carpenter
In short
Find a carpenter who works in your Adelaide suburb and has completed the kind of timber work you need. Check the contracting business's SA building work licence and its conditions, then confirm who supervises the work. Before comparing quotes, settle any structural design or council approval questions and specify the materials, finish and surrounding repairs. Agree on how hidden damage and extra work will be handled before accepting a written quote or contract.
Step 1
Separate repairs, fitted pieces and structural work
Explain the problem as well as the result you want. A sticking door may need adjustment, while a damaged frame may need replacement. Ask whether a site inspection is needed to establish the cause before the company prices the repair.
Match experience to the proposed work
| Work you need | Details to discuss |
|---|---|
| Door, window frame or skirting repair | Whether sound timber can be retained, how the existing profile will be matched and who paints the repaired area. |
| Shelving, cupboards or fitted storage | Joinery or cabinetmaking experience, final site measurements, board or timber selection and hardware. |
| Roof framing, stairs or a wall opening | Relevant building work licence conditions, structural assessment and responsibility for design and approvals. |
| Deck or verandah timber work | Whether the job covers surface boards only or also supports, footings and connections to the house. |
Step 2
Check the SA contractor licence and supervisor
SA requires individuals and businesses that carry out or organise building work for others to hold a building work contractor's licence. This includes carpenters doing specified building work. Ask for the licence details of the business named on your quote and use the register linked from SA Government's choosing-a-builder guidance to check them.
A licence can be limited to particular work. Read its conditions and confirm they cover the whole proposal. All building work must be supervised by a registered building work supervisor, so ask who will supervise your job. A supervisor registration and a contractor licence serve different purposes.
Ask to see a recent job with similar materials and details, and speak to a reference where possible. Request evidence of relevant insurance. Confirm the company's service area and timing directly, especially if the work needs several visits for measuring, installation and finishing.
Step 3
Check the approval requirements for your address
Ask the council responsible for your property whether the proposal needs development approval before booking construction. The City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters says building alterations usually need approval, and external or some internal changes to a listed heritage item can also need approval. Some small decks may be exempt, but the council advises checking the property's specific requirements.
For an Adelaide home with older timber trim, supply close-up photos and discuss retaining or matching it. If the property is heritage listed, establish what changes are permitted before ordering replacement pieces. For framing changes or a new opening, ask who will arrange structural advice, drawings and any inspections, and put those responsibilities in the quote.
If you rent, obtain the owner's permission for alterations. For a unit or shared building, establish who can authorise work to common areas and confirm access arrangements before the carpenter starts.
Step 4
Give each company the same measurements and finish requirements
Include your suburb, photos of the whole work area and close-ups of joints, damage and existing profiles. Rough dimensions help explain the job; ask the company to take final measurements before fabrication. Say whether the finish should match existing work or use a new material and colour.
Show any visible moisture damage and explain previous repairs. Ask what can be assessed during a visit and what may only become clear after removing boards or trim. Record access details such as stairs, a narrow side passage, parking and a suitable place to cut materials.
Step 5
Agree on inclusions, payments and the finished result
Compare written quotes for the timber or board product, hardware, installation, finish and disposal of old materials. Ask whether making good adjoining plaster or masonry is included. If hidden damage is possible, agree that the carpenter will show you what was found and obtain written approval for the added scope and cost before proceeding.
SA requires a written contract for domestic building work worth $20,000 or more. It must identify the contractor and licence number, set out the price and payment terms, and be signed; the owner must receive a signed copy and Form 1 explaining rights and obligations. For contracts at that threshold, the deposit must not exceed five per cent. Separate charges for council approval or soil testing can also apply.
Building indemnity insurance is required for domestic building work that needs council approval and costs $20,000 or more. Obtain the certificate before work starts when this applies. At handover, test moving parts and check the agreed finish. Keep the invoice, approved changes and any required statement of compliance, which records compliance for work requiring approval.
Sources and useful links
Sources checked 7 October 2026
- SA Government: building work contractor's licence
Licensing for businesses carrying out or organising building work and registered supervision requirements.
- SA Government: choosing a builder
Licence register access, scope checks and references; updated 10 November 2025.
- City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters: development assessment
Adelaide council guidance on building alterations, heritage changes and checking possible exemptions for the property.
- SA Government: builder responsibilities
Current $20,000 domestic contract and insurance thresholds, deposit limit, Form 1 and statements of compliance; updated 10 November 2025.
