Builder prequalification: the documents a developer should expect
What documents should a developer ask a builder for before engaging them?
A developer prequalifying a builder for an apartment project should expect a standard set of documents and should be wary of a builder who cannot produce them quickly. The contractor licence, which the developer should verify independently on the Verify NSW register rather than accepting a copy. Current insurance certificates for contract works, public liability and workers compensation, and evidence of home building compensation cover where the work requires it. A list of completed projects with addresses, scale, delivery form and the developer client for each, so the developer can visit the buildings and call the clients. Financial capacity, which a financier will usually assess directly. The safety management system and the quality process. And the people: who the director on the project will be, who the construction manager will be, and what they have delivered before. Calibre's capability statement sets these out on one page, and its licence details are printed on every page of this site so the register check takes a minute.
Licence and registrations
Contractor licence number, class and expiry, verified on Verify NSW by the developer. The compliance record on the same register. Practitioner registrations under the Design and Building Practitioners Act for the people who will sign declarations.
Insurance
Contract works, public liability and workers compensation certificates, current and with the limits the contract requires. Home building compensation cover where the project needs it.
Track record
Completed projects with enough detail to verify: address, scale, delivery form, completion year and the client. A developer should visit at least one and speak to at least one client. Calibre's projects are listed on this site with that detail for each.
Capacity and people
Current workload and the projects that will overlap. The director and the construction manager who will run the job, and their record. Financial capacity, which the developer's financier will usually assess independently.
Reviewed September 2026. Regulatory settings in New South Wales change; confirm the current requirements with your certifier and solicitor.
Related questions
What is a capability statement?
A short document that sets out the builder's licence, insurance, people, plant, completed projects and referees in one place. Calibre's is on this site.
Should a developer accept copies of licences?
Verify them on the register. It is free, it takes a minute, and it shows the compliance record as well as the licence status.
How many references?
At least two, from developers on projects of a similar scale, and ideally one the developer can visit.
Discuss a site.
Send the address and the stage the project has reached. A director reads every enquiry and replies within one business day.