How It Works & Knowledge Base

The 4-step process

Joining the Builders24 contractor network is a straightforward 4-step process. The whole process from test to active status typically takes less than a week.

Eligibility requirements

Builders24 is open to individual tradespeople and registered construction companies operating in South Africa or Zimbabwe. To apply you must:

• Be a registered company or sole trader with a valid company registration number
• Hold all trade licences and registrations required by law for your trade
• Be based in or operating in South Africa or Zimbabwe
• Score 60% or above on the Builders24 Proficiency Assessment
• Be able to provide the required documents (ID or passport, company registration, bank confirmation letter, proof of address)

Who is not eligible

• Individuals without a company registration
• Anyone who has previously been removed from the Builders24 network for misconduct or unpaid commission
• Applicants who cannot produce valid identity and address documentation

What is the proficiency test?

The Builders24 Proficiency Assessment is a short online test that all applicants must pass before signing up. It assesses your trade knowledge and basic site safety awareness.

What does it cover?

• Trade-specific knowledge relevant to your primary trade
• Basic site safety and compliance awareness
• Professional conduct standards

Pass mark and format

What happens after passing?

Once you pass, your trade and score are automatically carried forward to the sign-up form. A green banner on the sign-up page confirms your passed status.

What the form collects

The sign-up form is divided into four steps: personal and business details, document uploads, the Contractor Agreement, and payment.

Step 1 — Personal and business details

• Full name, ID type and number, date of birth, nationality
• Email address and mobile number (with country dial code)
• Country, province/region, city
• Business/trading name and company registration number
• Primary trade and years of experience
• Bank name, account type, account number, branch code or SWIFT, account holder name

Step 2 — Documents

Upload clear, legible copies of all required documents. See the Documents Required article for full details.

Step 3 — Agreement

Read the full Contractor Agreement and tick all six acceptance checkboxes. All boxes must be ticked to proceed. Your electronic acceptance is legally binding.

Step 4 — Payment

Pay the once-off onboarding fee of R999 via PayPal. Card and PayPal balance are accepted.

Required documents

File requirements

• Maximum file size: 5MB per document
• Documents must be clear, legible and unedited
• Blurry, cropped or altered documents will result in your application being declined

The once-off onboarding fee

To join the Builders24 contractor network you pay a once-off onboarding fee. There are no monthly fees, no annual renewals and no credits to purchase.

When is the fee charged?

The fee is charged at Step 4 of the sign-up process, after you have completed your details, uploaded documents and accepted the Contractor Agreement.

Refunds

The onboarding fee is non-refundable once your profile has been activated. If your application is declined during vetting, contact us at contractors@builders24.net to discuss your options.

What happens after payment?

Once payment is confirmed your application status moves to Pending Vetting. Builders24 will review your documents and profile within 3–5 business days.

The vetting process

• Identity verification against your submitted ID or passport
• Company registration verification
• Background check consent review
• Banking details confirmation
• Trade qualification assessment

Account statuses

Overview

Builders24 charges commission on jobs introduced through the platform. Commission is a legally binding obligation from the moment you accept the Contractor Agreement.

What counts as a platform-introduced job?

Any job where the client was introduced to you through Builders24 — including direct leads, subcontracts on managed projects and allocated contract work — is a platform-introduced job and commission applies.

Settlement deadlines

What happens if you miss the deadline?

Failure to settle within the stipulated period constitutes a material breach of the Contractor Agreement. Builders24 may:

• Suspend your account immediately
• Remove you from the network
• Pursue legal recovery of the outstanding amount

Calculation examples

Example 1 — Labour only job

Example 2 — Job with call out fee

VAT note

Commission is calculated on the invoice value exclusive of VAT. Do not include VAT in your commission calculation.

If you expect to miss a settlement deadline

Contact Builders24 immediately at contractors@builders24.net before the deadline. Late notice is better than no notice. Builders24 may, at its discretion, agree to a revised settlement date — but this is not guaranteed and must be confirmed in writing.

Consequences of unpaid commission

• Your account will be flagged as overdue
• You may be suspended from receiving new leads
• The amount becomes a liquid debt and may be pursued through the courts
• Interest at the legal prescribed rate and legal costs may be added

What is a liquid debt?

A liquid debt is a debt that is certain, fixed in amount and immediately enforceable without the need for further proof. By accepting the Contractor Agreement, you acknowledge that any unpaid commission is a liquid debt owed to Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd.

What this means in practice

• Builders24 can pursue unpaid commission through the South African courts without further notice to you
• No mediation or arbitration is required before legal action
• Builders24 is entitled to recover all legal costs, collection fees and interest at the prescribed legal rate
• You consent to the jurisdiction of the South African courts by accepting the agreement

What are direct client leads?

Direct client leads are job opportunities where a homeowner or business has contacted Builders24 requesting a contractor for a specific trade. Builders24 matches the request to active contractors in the relevant trade and area, and allocates the lead accordingly.

How leads are allocated

• Leads are matched by trade, location and contractor availability
• You will be notified of a new lead via email and on your contractor profile
• Respond within the stipulated timeframe to secure the lead

Commission on direct leads

Standard commission applies on all direct client leads — 10% on labour, 15% on call out fees. Commission must be settled within 72 hours of receiving client payment.

What is subcontracting through Builders24?

Builders24 manages its own construction and infrastructure projects. On these projects, Builders24-onboarded contractors may be offered subcontracting opportunities — working on a Builders24-managed project as a specialist trade or labour subcontractor.

How subcontract opportunities work

• Builders24 identifies the required trade and scope from its active contractor network
• Eligible contractors are notified of the opportunity with project details
• Acceptance is subject to availability, capacity and project requirements
• Payment is made by Builders24 on project-specific terms agreed in advance

Commission on subcontract work

Standard commission applies on subcontract work introduced through the platform. Settlement is via the platform-processed payment route — Builders24 disburses your net payment within 48 hours of job satisfaction confirmation.

What are managed contracts?

Managed contracts are larger or ongoing work engagements that Builders24 sources, negotiates and manages on behalf of clients. These are allocated to contractors in the network based on trade, capacity and track record.

How to access managed contracts

• Maintain an active, fully compliant account in good standing
• Build a strong rating through direct client work
• Ensure your documents and trade registrations are current
• Respond promptly to all Builders24 communications

Quoting best practice

• Respond to quote requests within the timeframe specified in the lead notification
• Quote labour and materials separately — commission applies to labour only
• Be clear and itemised in your quotation to avoid disputes
• Do not include Builders24 commission in your client-facing quote — this is your obligation to Builders24, not the client

Late or missed quote responses

Failing to respond to quote requests within stipulated timeframes is a breach of your contractor obligations and may result in the lead being reallocated and a warning on your account.

Current operating countries

Registering your service area

When you sign up you specify your country, province/region and city. Leads are matched to contractors based on this information. If your operating area changes, update your profile and contact contractors@builders24.net to confirm the update.

What is the Contractor Agreement?

The Builders24 Contractor Network Agreement is a legally binding contract between you and Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd (Reg: 2026/396269/07). It governs your membership of the contractor network, your obligations, commission terms and the consequences of non-compliance.

Key provisions

• Membership terms and what activation requires
• Your professional obligations while on the network
• Commission rates and how they are calculated
• Settlement periods and consequences of late payment
• Debt recovery provisions
• Termination terms
• Governing law (Republic of South Africa)

What you agree to as an active Builders24 contractor

• Perform all work to a professional standard in compliance with applicable building regulations and standards
• Hold all required trade licences and registrations and keep them current
• Respond to job requests and quote requests within stipulated timeframes
• Conduct yourself professionally in all client interactions
• Settle commission within the required settlement periods
• Not solicit clients introduced through the platform directly for 12 months from introduction
• Notify Builders24 of any material change to your business, registration or insurance status

Termination by either party

Either party may terminate the agreement on 30 days' written notice, provided all outstanding commission is settled before or on the termination date.

Immediate termination by Builders24

Builders24 may terminate immediately and without notice in cases of:

• Material breach of the agreement
• Fraud or dishonest conduct
• Criminal conduct
• Insolvency
• Sustained failure to settle commission

What survives termination

• All outstanding commission obligations remain payable
• The non-solicitation clause remains in effect for 12 months from the date of last client introduction
• The onboarding fee is non-refundable

Is electronic acceptance legally binding?

Yes. Your electronic acceptance of the Contractor Agreement — by ticking the acceptance checkboxes during sign-up — constitutes a valid, binding signature under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (South Africa).

By accepting electronically you are entering into a legally enforceable contract with Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd on the same terms as if you had signed a physical document.

Jurisdiction

The Contractor Agreement is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. By accepting the agreement, you consent to the jurisdiction of the South African courts for any disputes arising from the agreement, including the recovery of unpaid commission.

Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd is registered in South Africa (Reg: 2026/396269/07) with its registered address at 90 Rivonia Road, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa.

Current trades on the network

The following 29 trades are currently available on the Builders24 contractor network:

Can I register for more than one trade?

The sign-up form currently requires you to select one primary trade. If you operate across multiple trades and wish to be listed for additional trades, contact contractors@builders24.net after activation with details of your additional trades and supporting qualifications.

Additional trade registrations are subject to review and approval by Builders24.

How to change your primary trade

To change your registered primary trade after activation, email contractors@builders24.net with your request and the reason for the change. You may be required to retake the proficiency test for the new trade. Trade changes are subject to approval.

Your contractor profile

Your profile includes your personal details, trade, location, documents and banking details. Keeping your profile current and accurate is a condition of your membership.

What you can update

• Contact details (email, mobile number)
• Service area (city, province/region)
• Business/trading name
• Banking details
• Documents (on renewal or change)

For all profile updates, email contractors@builders24.net with the changes required and any supporting documentation.

When to update your documents

• Your ID or passport expires or is renewed
• Your company registration changes
• Your bank account changes
• Your address changes and you have new proof of address

Email updated documents to contractors@builders24.net. Documents must meet the same format and clarity requirements as the original sign-up. Failure to maintain current, valid documents may result in account suspension.

How to update your banking details

To update your banking details, email contractors@builders24.net with your full name, contractor ID, new bank details and a new bank confirmation letter. Banking detail changes are subject to verification and will not take effect until confirmed in writing by Builders24.

Common reasons for suspension

• Overdue or unpaid commission
• Expired documents not updated
• Client complaints under investigation
• Failure to respond to Builders24 communications
• Breach of the code of conduct

How to get reinstated

Email contractors@builders24.net explaining the situation and what steps you have taken to resolve the underlying issue. Reinstatement is at Builders24's discretion and is not automatic. Outstanding commission must be settled in full before reinstatement can be considered.

How we use your personal information

Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd processes your personal information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable data protection legislation in Zimbabwe. Your information is used for:

• Contractor vetting and identity verification
• Network management and job allocation
• Payment processing and commission settlement
• Communication regarding your account and jobs

Your rights

• Right to access the personal information we hold about you
• Right to request correction of inaccurate information
• Right to object to certain processing activities

To exercise your data rights, email contractors@builders24.net.

What the background check covers

By accepting the Contractor Agreement you consent to a background and identity check being conducted by or on behalf of Builders24 Group (Pty) Ltd as part of the vetting process. This may include:

• Identity verification
• Criminal record screening
• Business registration verification

The background check is a condition of activation. Refusing consent will result in your application being declined.

Professional standards

All Builders24 contractors are expected to uphold the following standards at all times:

• Workmanship: All work must be performed to a professional standard and in compliance with applicable building regulations
• Punctuality: Honour agreed appointment times. Notify clients promptly if you are delayed
• Communication: Respond to client and Builders24 communications promptly and professionally
• Honesty: Do not misrepresent your qualifications, experience or availability
• Safety: Follow all applicable site safety requirements
• Respect: Treat all clients, Builders24 staff and fellow contractors with respect

What is the non-solicitation clause?

You agree not to directly solicit or approach any client introduced to you through the Builders24 platform for a period of 12 months from the date of introduction. This means you may not contact or accept work directly from a Builders24-introduced client outside of the platform during this period without prior written approval from Builders24.

Why this clause exists

Builders24 invests in marketing, client acquisition and vetting. The non-solicitation clause protects this investment and ensures the integrity of the network for all contractors.

What insurance do I need?

You are required to hold all trade licences and registrations required by law for your trade for the duration of your membership. Depending on your trade, this may include public liability insurance. Check the applicable requirements for your trade and country.

If your insurance lapses

A lapse in required insurance or trade registration is grounds for immediate suspension. Notify contractors@builders24.net as soon as possible if your coverage lapses and provide proof of renewal once obtained.

Contractor support contacts

Response times

• Email queries: responded to within 1–2 business days
• Urgent matters: call the relevant number above
• Vetting status queries: allow 3–5 business days before following up

How to raise a dispute

If you have a dispute regarding a job, commission calculation, account decision or any other matter, email contractors@builders24.net with:

• Your full name and contractor account details
• A clear description of the dispute
• Any relevant supporting documentation (invoices, correspondence, etc.)

Builders24 will acknowledge receipt within 2 business days and respond with a resolution or further information request within 5 business days.

Submitting a formal complaint

To submit a formal complaint about Builders24's conduct, a decision made about your account, or any other matter, email contractors@builders24.net with the subject line "Formal Complaint" and include:

• Your full name and account details
• A detailed description of your complaint
• The outcome you are seeking
• Any supporting documentation

Formal complaints are escalated to management and responded to within 7 business days. All complaints are logged and reviewed to improve the network.