If a town has few patio builders, residents either wait, pay more, or build it themselves. Council permit registers show which. We read published building approvals from four councils and counted who took out each patio-type permit.
Key takeaways
- 44% of Karratha patio-type permits (January to July 2026) were owner-builder, against 15% in Wanneroo and 0% in Bunbury.
- Owner-builders in Karratha built smaller jobs: median about $15,500 versus $37,400 for contractors.
- Owner-builder approval is generally needed above $20,000, or $50,000 for Class 10 structures such as patios.
The numbers
| Council | Period | Patio-type permits | Owner-builder | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Wanneroo (Perth) | August 2026 | 62 | 9 | 15% |
| City of Bunbury | February 2026 | 11 | 0 | 0% |
| City of Karratha | January to July 2026 | 55 | 24 | 44% |
| Shire of Broome | May, September, October 2024 | 8 | 5 | 63% |
“Patio-type” covers residential patios, carports, verandahs, pergolas, shade structures and alfresco jobs. New homes, pools, granny flats and commercial work are excluded.
What stands out
- Karratha owner-builders build smaller. The median estimated value of their permits was about $15,500, against about $37,400 for contractor-built ones.
- Bunbury, which has several patio specialists, had no owner-builder permits in the month we checked.
- Karratha’s permits are dominated by one contractor, who accounted for almost half of the contractor-built permits.
Is owner-building a patio a good idea?
It can be, but it comes with responsibilities. Under WA rules, an owner-builder approval is generally needed where a building permit is required and the work is valued above $20,000, or above $50,000 for Class 10 structures such as patios and carports. Below those values you can usually apply for the permit as the owner. Either way, you must still comply with the National Construction Code and obtain the building permit. In cyclone region C (the Pilbara and Kimberley), structures must be designed for cyclone loads and normally need engineering. If you sell within seven years of an owner-builder permit being issued where approval was required, home indemnity insurance rules apply. See the WA Government’s owner-builder approval page.
Where we have used permit records
Read the detail for each council: Wanneroo, Bunbury, Karratha and Broome. For the wider picture, see where WA has gaps in patio supply.
Need a patio in regional WA?
My Patio designs and supplies patios across Western Australia, with plans and council paperwork included. Call 0420 361 450 or request a free measure and quote.
Source: My Patio, “Why Nearly Half of Karratha Patio Permits Are Owner-Builder”, October 2026. https://www.mypatio.com.au/What you get with My Patio
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Here is exactly what you get with My Patio:
- Custom designed for your site, whether simple, difficult, or something out of the box
- Fully engineered, with plans and council paperwork included
- Manufacturers’ product warranty of up to 10 years
- Fully installed or supplied in kit form, your choice
- Finance options available
Is this for you? If you want a cheap DIY kit with no engineering or council help, we are probably not the right fit. If you want a patio done properly, with the paperwork handled, call us.
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P.S. Not sure whether your patio needs a permit, or whether we can reach your address? Call 0420 361 450. A two-minute conversation usually answers both.