WHY CHOOSE NBS?
Why a Licensed Builder Matters
for Your Bathroom Renovation
The confidence of a fully licensed builder
It’s one of the most overlooked details when choosing a bathroom renovation company in NSW: not all “bathroom renovators” are licensed to do the same work. The difference between a fully licensed builder and a Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator is significant – and it can affect the cost, scope, legality and long-term outcome of your renovation.
Here’s what you need to know before you sign with anyone.
The two licences that matter
In NSW, two different licences allow tradespeople to work on bathrooms — but they grant very different scopes of work.
Licence 1: Fully Licensed Builder (Unrestricted Builder’s Licence)
Issued by NSW Fair Trading. To qualify, the licence holder must have completed:
At least 2 years' full-time, paid building industry experience across a wide range of construction work
A Certificate IV in Building and Construction
Plus one of: a Diploma of Building and Construction, a Bachelor's degree in a building, construction or engineering field, or a current carpentry or bricklaying contractor licence
Licensed builders must also complete annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) education to maintain their licence.
Scope of work: Any residential building work – including new dwellings, structural changes, additions, renovations, repairs and modifications to load-bearing parts of a home.
Licence 2: Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator
A conditional licence issued to a tradesperson with a Certificate III in carpentry, joinery, plumbing, or wall and floor tiling.
Scope of work: Limited to the installation, restoration, refurbishment and repair of kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Cannot legally undertake:
Any work involving structural or load-bearing parts of the home
Foundations, columns, beams, load-bearing walls or roof structures
Modifications or additions that change the building's footprint
Any work outside their specific specialist trade
The licence does not require ongoing professional development to maintain.
Why this matters
On paper, the difference between the two licences sounds like a technicality. In practice, it affects almost every renovation in three significant ways.
1. What happens when something unexpected comes up
Bathroom renovations regularly uncover issues that weren’t visible at the quoting stage:
Rotted floor joists under tiled areas
Deteriorated waterproofing membranes
Cracked or damaged structural framing
Asbestos in walls, ceilings or behind tiles
Plumbing or wiring that isn't to current code
A fully licensed builder can assess the issue, scope the repair, and complete the work as part of your renovation – legally and confidently.
A Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator is legally restricted from completing work that involves structural elements. They have to stop, sub-contract a licensed builder, wait for that builder’s availability, and add the cost to your quote – often weeks of delay and significant unexpected
expense.
2. What design changes you can make
If you’re considering anything more ambitious than a like-for-like replacement, the licence matters:
Reconfiguring the layout (moving the shower, vanity, toilet)
Knocking down a wall to enlarge the bathroom
Adding a new ensuite by converting adjacent space
Creating a new doorway or relocating an existing one
Joining two rooms or splitting one into two
All of this involves work on load-bearing or structural elements, which only a fully licensed builder can legally undertake. A Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator can do the bathroom finishing – but they need a licensed builder to handle the structural work, which means coordinating two contractors instead of one.
3. Who’s accountable for the entire project
When a fully licensed builder runs your renovation:
One contract covers the entire scope of work
One builder signs off on the project
One warranty covers the structural and finish elements
One company is accountable if something goes wrong
When a Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator runs your renovation but sub-contracts structural work:
Multiple contracts, multiple sub-contractors
Split warranties — finish work covered by one party, structural work by another
Disputed accountability if an issue arises (was it the builder's structural work or the renovator's finishing work that caused the leak?)
For most homeowners, the simplicity of a single accountable builder is worth the difference on its own.
GOOD TO KNOW
How to check a builder
or renovator’s licence
Anyone can claim to be licensed. Verifying it takes 30 seconds.
The NSW Fair Trading Public Register is a free, public database where you can check:
Current licence status (active, expired, suspended, cancelled)
Type of licence held (full builder vs conditional renovator)
Any restrictions or conditions on the licence
Compliance history and disciplinary actions
When you check, look for:
Type of licence — Builder (Open) vs Kitchen, Bathroom and Laundry Renovator
Status — Current, not expired or suspended
Name on licence — Should match the company or individual you're contracting with
Compliance history — Look for previous complaints or disciplinary actions
Other credentials worth checking:
Beyond the licence itself, premium renovation companies typically hold additional credentials:
Membership of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Australia or Master Builders Association — both require professional standards beyond minimum licensing
HBCF eligibility — only licensed builders meeting strict financial criteria are eligible for Home Building Compensation Fund insurance, which is mandatory on projects over $20,000
ISO 9001 quality compliance — international standard for quality management
Asbestos removal accreditation — separate licence required for asbestos work
Ask. A reputable renovator will be happy to provide evidence of every credential they hold.
What this means for your NBS renovation
Novocastrian Bathroom Solutions is owned and operated by Shane Grant – a fully licensed builder under NSW Contractor Licence No. 267690C and a member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Australia.
When you renovate with us, you get:
A fully licensed builder accountable for every aspect of your project
The legal authority to handle anything we uncover during the renovation
A single contract, single warranty, single point of accountability
HBCF insurance on all projects over $20,000
6-year structural warranty under the NSW Home Building Act 1989
You also get the assurance that we’ve done this hundreds of times before – across every era of Newcastle housing stock, every type of bathroom layout, and every variety of unexpected discovery a renovation can throw up.
Ready to talk to a licensed builder?
Book a free initial consultation. We’ll come to you, assess your space, and walk you through what your renovation would involve – including any structural considerations specific to your home.
Phone: (02) 4047 2100
Email: admin@novocastrianbathrooms.com.au
Address: Unit 1/29 Riverside Drive, Mayfield West NSW 2304
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
4.8 
Based on 127 reviews
From the get-go we knew we were working with an experienced and professional team. All the staff and tradesmen were understanding of our needs and respectful of our property at all times. There was a genuine sense of care and responsibility throughout the project and we are so thrilled with the result!
Linda
NBS did an amazing job at converting our ugly unused sunroom into an ensuite and office. From the initial consult, to design, to build, it was an easy, smooth, fairly quick and mostly stress-free process. Some more communication throughout the build phase would have been appreciated (eg a weekly update), but overall we are very happy.
Andrew
The entire team at Novacastrian Bathtoom Solutions have been personable and totally professional. We couldn’t be happier with our new bathrooms. The process from design to project management was excellent and we were kept informed all the way through the process. All the associated trades were coordinated, friendly and the workmanship exceptional. Thank you all.
Helen
SERVICE AREAS
Proudly renovating across Newcastle & the Hunter.
We deliver bathroom renovations across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley, including:
Merewether
The Junction
Cooks Hill
Hamilton
Mayfield
New Lambton
Adamstown
Charlestown
Warners Bay
Eleebana
Belmont
Cardiff
Edgeworth
Maitland
Rutherford
East Maitland
Thornton
Ready to start your project?
Book a design consultation, visit our showroom or call us today. Let’s create a bathroom you’ll love for years to come.