Yes, you can sell a home that you’ve constructed or renovated as an owner-builder in NSW. However, there are specific requirements and obligations you must fulfill:

• Statutory Warranties: As an owner-builder, you are responsible for statutory warranties on the building work. These warranties cover defects and are typically valid for six years for major defects and two years for other defects from the completion date.

• Home Building Compensation Cover: If you sell your owner-built home within six years of completing the work, you may be required to provide a certificate of insurance under the Home Building Compensation Fund to the buyer. This insurance protects the purchaser in case of defects or incomplete work.

• Disclosure Requirements: You must disclose that the property was built or renovated under an owner-builder permit. This information should be included in the contract of sale and any marketing materials.

It’s advisable to consult with a solicitor or conveyancer to ensure all legal requirements are met when selling an owner-built property.

Owner builder work relates to the supervision & coordination of works such as: 

• • Decks
  • Pergolas
  • Retaining walls
  • Swimming pools
  • Sheds
  • Garage, carports
  • Renovations, repairs, alterations, additions
  • Secondary dwellings such as ‘Granny flats’
  • New home builds
  • Note: Dual occupancy (e.g. duplex) – An owner-builder permit will only be issued regarding a dual occupancy, such as a duplex,  in cases of special circumstances.
  • An owner builder must not do any work that is not covered by the DA or CDC.

Owner builder CANNOT :

• work other than the project covered by the development application or complying development certificate
• specialist work such as electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, air conditioning and refrigeration work (unless you hold a licence for such work).

Those wanting to become an owner builder & obtain an Owner Builder NSW permit will typically look to benefit in several ways.  These include:

• Reduce costs by having a greater control of material procurement & eliminating the typical 15% -35% builders margin/mark up.
• Project management – owner builders typcially want to manage their own projects and have greater control of budgeting and timelines. Prioritising their own specific needs and circumstances.
• Contractor selection – owner builders have control over selecting the trades/contractors who work on their project.
• Quality control – greater control of the quality of work on their project. From critical stage inspections to finishing trades – utilising the SAFE RITE Defects Prevention System (DPS) to help ensure complaince with the NCC and Australian Standards.
• Equity gains – the property’s value could increase substantially compared to the money you invest.

NSW Fair Trading – Owner builder Information – Click here for more owner builder info

NSW Fair Trading Owner builder Application – Click to apply for owner builder permit 

NSW Fair Trading Owner builder Permit Info – Click here for more owner builder info

NSW Fair Trading Working as an owner builder – Click here for info about working as an owner builder 

Service NSW – Verify owner builder permit – Cleck here to verify owner builder permit

NSW Building Commission – Click here for NSW Building Commission

Safe Work NSW White Card information – Click here for SafeWork White card info 

NSW Long Service Levy Rebate – Apply for Rebate

Development Application (D.A.) Info – Learn more about DA’s

VET Integrity – Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) – Learn about integrity in VET education