9 in 10 Australians worry builders cut corners

Prove you're the exception.

4 questions, about a minute. Based on our 2026 survey of 141 Australian residential builders.

Nearly 8 in 10 Australians are worried about builders going under.⁵

Half are more worried than they were a year ago.⁵

72% of prospects don't trust builders enough to commit without independent assurance²

When prospects can verify your credibility upfront, they spend less time quote-shopping and move faster to commitment.^3,4

High-performance builders were more likely to have work locked in.¹

Our survey of 141 Australian builders found those who led with performance were nearly twice as likely to have work locked in 6+ months ahead (59.5% vs 37.4%).¹

Builders who led with high-performance reported stronger margins.¹

They were twice as likely to report strong or healthy profit margins (28.6% vs 14.1%).¹ See how you compare — run the numbers below.

Sources:

State of the Market Report, 2026. Sustainable Builders Alliance.
Equifax. (2024, October 29). Construction demand grows, but lack of trust still impacts the sector [Press release]. https://www.equifax.com.au/knowledge-hub/news-and-media/construction-demand-grows-lack-trust-still-impacts-sector
‍3FMI Corporation, & Autodesk. (2022). Trust matters: The high cost of low trust in construction [Industry report]. https://construction.autodesk.com/resources/guides/fmi-the-high-cost-of-low-trust
Baek, T. H., & King, K. W. (2011). Exploring the consequences of brand credibility in services. Journal of Services Marketing, 25(4), 260–272. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876041111143096
Equifax. (2025, September 17). Trust in construction industry builds, but concerns persist amid climbing insolvencies and push for housing supply [Press release]. https://www.equifax.com.au/knowledge-hub/news-and-media/trust-construction-industry-builds-concerns

9 in 10 Australians worry builders cut corners

Prove you're the exception.

Nearly 8 in 10 Australians are worried about builders going under.⁵

72% of prospects don't trust builders enough to commit without independent assurance²

High-performance builders were more likely to have work locked in.¹

Builders who led with high-performance reported stronger margins.¹

Run the numbers

See what being the exception is worth.

9 in 10 Australians worry builders cut corners

Prove you're the exception.

Nearly 8 in 10 Australians are worried about builders going under.5

72% of prospects don't trust builders enough to commit without independent assurance2

High-performance builders were more likely to have work locked in.1

Builders who led with high-performance reported stronger margins.1

Run the numbers

See what being the exception is worth.

Nearly 8 in 10 Australians are worried about builders going under.⁵

72% of prospects don't trust builders enough to commit without independent assurance²

High-performance builders were more likely to have work locked in.¹

Builders who led with high-performance reported stronger margins.¹