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Qld investors losing thousands to shoddy building work
Queensland investors have been warned about common shoddy building jobs, with data revealing the top 10 most frequent building defects, from minor flaws to costly structural risks.
New data exposes Queensland’s 10 most frequent building defects, hitting investors hard with repairs that often surpass the original construction costs
Findings from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission’s (QBCC’s) 2025 Industry Snapshot showed that the most common flaws across 2024-2025 included mistakes on driveways, walls, roofs, and floors.
“These defects are not only frequent, but they are costly and disruptive. They are also – promisingly – preventable,” the QBCC said.
The data found the most common flaw involved internal paint application, with 1,875 items identified across 315 cases.
Dodgy steel roof sheet cladding was the second most prevalent mistake, with 540 items across 201 cases, while similarly, timber door and window installation showed 524 dodgy jobs across 230 cases.
Next was floor work, with 465 ceramic, terracotta and floor tiling issues found in 233 cases.
The fifth most common defect was internal plasterboard wall lining, with the data finding 282 occurrences across 121 cases.
Concrete driveways and pathways were next, followed by pier-and-beam footings and slabs, fibre-cement wall cladding, shower-recess waterproofing, and stormwater drainage pipework.
The QBCC warned that in most cases, the expense of repairing the issues far exceeded the cost of getting the work right the first time.
For example, the average claim to fix defective waterproofing in 2024-25 set home owners back by an average of $25,000, according to the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS).
“Waterproofing issues and drainage failures can also cause long-term damage to the home, and negative health impacts if not identified and addressed early,” the QBCC said.
Ultimately, the organisation said it was the shared responsibility of the entire industry – regulators, licensees, and home owners – to improve building quality and reduce mistakes.
The QBCC said industry bodies, such as Master Builders Queensland, Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), and the Australian Building Codes Board, were calling for greater awareness of standards, proactive education, and regulatory reform.
It advised home owners and investors to take time to check that building work was being carried out carefully and to contact their contractor promptly if they noticed any issues, before following up in writing.
“When a defect is identified, have a conversation with your contractor to agree on expectations for how and when it will be resolved. Clear agreements help avoid misunderstandings,” it said.
“If you’re unsure about a defect or how to handle it, consider getting an expert opinion from a building inspector or certifier. This can save time and prevent misunderstandings,” the QBCC concluded.