You can build your WABi in three ways — as an owner builder, with a registered builder, or by engaging trained installers who coach your team on site.
WABi Systems delivers simpler, smarter, and stronger prefabricated building systems engineered for speed, reliability, and remote deployment. Our team has supported projects across Australia and overseas, providing construction-ready documentation, proven installation methods, and practical guidance that keeps programs tight and costs transparent.
Choose the pathway that matches your skills, budget, and site conditions while benefiting from WABi’s rapid assembly and built-in sustainability.
Quick Summary
- Owner Builder – Best for clients with construction experience who want hands-on control. You use your own trade base and WABi’s installation drawings to assemble the building in a flat-pack style. An Owner Builder licence and practical construction know-how are required.
- Registered Builder – A stress-free, fully managed pathway. Tap into WABi’s Australia-wide network of registered builders who coordinate trades, keep to schedule, meet code, and provide warranty protections. Each builder is backed by construction-ready drawings that help builders work efficiently, avoid mistakes, and deliver your WABi on time.
- Trained Installers – Ideal for international or remote projects where there is local labour available close to site. WABi sends experienced trainers to guide your team through the early stages of construction, transferring skills and setting the build up for success. Clients cover trainer travel, accommodation, meals, fees, and provide tools and a prepared site.
- All options share WABi speed and cost efficiency – Installation is measured in man-hours for clarity and control. A typical 50 m² WABi requires about 300 man-hours to install, often delivering meaningful savings compared with traditional construction. We provide high-level costings based on local labour rates at your site location.
Owner Builder – Full Control Over Your WABi Project
How It Works
For experienced hands in construction, the owner nuilder pathway offers the greatest level of independence. Each WABi arrives with a complete set of detailed installation drawings, allowing you to assemble it much like an Ikea flat pack — only on a larger, structural scale. You provide your own trade base and coordinate the work on your schedule, ensuring the build progresses exactly how you want it.
Skills Required
This option is best suited to those who have a solid understanding of building practices, site safety, and trade coordination. While the WABi System is designed for efficient assembly, correct installation still relies on knowledge of structural alignment, fixings, and finishing. The more confident you are with construction techniques, the smoother the process will be.
Licensing
An owner builder licence is a legal requirement for this method in the majority of countries. The specific process for obtaining one varies by location, but typically involves demonstrating competence and understanding of building codes. This ensures the final build meets compliance standards while protecting your investment.
Registered Builder – A Professional, Stress-Free Build
Nationwide Builder Network
If you prefer a fully managed approach, WABi has an established network of registered builders across Australia. These trusted partners know how to integrate our systems seamlessly into their workflow, reducing downtime and eliminating guesswork.
Complete Project Management
From the initial site setup to final handover, your chosen builder manages all aspects — engaging trades, sequencing tasks, and ensuring the project stays on track. They’ll handle building approvals, code compliance, and inspections, giving you confidence that every stage meets the right standards.
Quality Assurance
Using a registered builder means you benefit from professional oversight, industry connections, and warranty protections that safeguard against costly rework. Our systems are designed to integrate smoothly into this environment, so the builder can deliver a high-quality result quickly and efficiently.
Seamless Process Integration
WABi supplies your builder with a complete set of construction-ready documents — including detailed plans, specifications, and installation instructions — to ensure minimal delays and a smooth handover from delivery to on-site assembly.
Trained Installers – Expert Guidance for Your Team
Ideal for Overseas Projects
For clients building internationally or in locations where our registered builders are not available, the trained installer option is the preferred method. It allows you to use your own local workforce while gaining the technical expertise needed to assemble a WABi correctly and efficiently.
Training Approach
We typically send two experienced trainers to your site to guide your team through the critical early stages of installation. They work alongside your crew, demonstrating each step, ensuring correct methods are followed, and establishing a smooth workflow. Once your team is confident in the process, they can continue the build with minimal external support.
Client Responsibilities
To make this approach work, clients must provide:
- Travel, accommodation, and meals for trainers
- Trainer package fees covering their time and expertise
- All necessary tools ready on site
- A prepared site suitable for immediate construction start
These requirements ensure that trainers can focus entirely on delivering knowledge and setting the pace for an efficient build.
Fast Installation and Cost Efficiency
Man-Hour Based Installation
One of WABi’s biggest advantages is the ability to estimate installation costs based on man-hours. This gives you transparency and control over labour expenses, making budgeting far easier than with traditional construction methods.
Example Build Time
A 50 m² WABi typically requires only 300 man-hours to install — a fraction of the time needed for conventional builds of similar size.
Location-Based Costings
We provide high-level cost estimates using labour rates specific to your site’s location. Rates can vary significantly between regions, both within Australia and internationally, so this tailored approach ensures accuracy.
Cost Savings
The combination of faster installation, reduced labour hours, and precision planning can deliver substantial savings. This efficiency is built into every WABi, regardless of whether you choose to work as an Owner Builder, engage a Registered Builder, or bring in Trained Installers.
Choosing the Right WABi Build Method
No matter where your project is located or how much hands-on involvement you want, WABi Systems offers a build method to suit.
If you have the skills and licence, the owner builder pathway gives you full control and the satisfaction of assembling your WABi yourself. If you want a fully managed process, our network of registered builders delivers a smooth, compliant, and professionally overseen build. And if you’re building internationally or in a remote location, our trained installer option ensures your local team is equipped with the right knowledge from the start.
All three methods share the same WABi advantages — rapid installation, lower labour costs, and a system designed to perform in challenging environments. Whether your priority is speed, budget control, or building capability on site, the WABi approach ensures a stronger, smarter result compared with traditional construction.
Your WABi is more than just a building; it’s a proven system engineered for adaptability and efficiency. Talk to us about your site, your design, and your resources, and we’ll recommend the build method that delivers the best outcome for your project.
Contact WABi Systems today to discuss your preferred build method and receive a tailored proposal, complete with accurate costings based on your location and design.
