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| 6 Jun 2013 Preliminary Agreements
A Preliminary Agreement (PA), or Preparation of Plans Agreement, is a common document used by builders dealing with clients in the early stages of building a new home. These agreements do not involve building work and are preparatory to entering a building contract. Some common features are: the consumer is committed to paying a “deposit”, […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Pool and Spa Safety Barriers
With hot weather across the state, pools are a hot topic. Most people would be aware that an approval is required to install a swimming pool. Concrete, fibre-glass, or liner pools all need approval, as well as above-ground and temporary pools. The reason for the need for a Building Permit for swimming pools is not […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Floating Floorboards
Floating floors can be installed onto a concrete pad or any other flat, firm or level surface without using nails, battens or glue. They are called “floating” because they are not attached to the sub-floor in any way. They can be fitted over most flat surfaces – tiles, concrete, cork or timber. As a result […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Land Title Release and Contracts
Sometimes people sign a building contract and pay a deposit on a home when land title is not yet available. Delays in the processing of land title can be lengthy and with building costs increasing rapidly, so there can be contract complications and inconvenience to both parties. Under normal conditions and under most building contracts […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Construction Times
While many contracts specify a definite time period in terms of “x” number of calendar or working days (which exclude weekends and public holidays), some contracts do not and this space is left blank. This does not mean that the builder has an infinite amount of time to complete the project. Courts have ruled on […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Construction Software
In the construction industry, being a cutting edge company that embraces innovation and new technology can be the difference between being a true industry-leader and struggling to remain profitable. Different businesses require different systems. If your company reaches a point where you find your software systems and processes are holding you back from reaching your […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Contracts for Home Building Work
The Home Building Contracts Act 1991 (the HBC Act) provides protection for home owners and persons undertaking home building work. Part 2 of the HBC Act applies to fixed price contracts for ‘home building work’ valued between $7,500 and $500,000. Home building work includes: constructing a new dwelling; carrying out additions to an existing […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Decking
As the general public and builders become more environmentally aware, the pressure is on suppliers to meet their needs. Selecting environmentally friendly construction timbers is one area where the builder has an increasing amount of choices. ‘Eco’ timber is the common name given to timbers that are harvested with the community in mind; […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Dispute Resolution
Building and renovation work can be an involved process and a dispute may arise about the quality of work or materials or about the contract itself. To avoid later disputes, there are some things to bear in mind from the outset of the building process. Initially, all promises, undertakings and concessions made in pre-contract […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Efflorescence on Bricks
The growth of white crystals on the surfaces of brickwork and blockwork is called efflorescence and is a common problem particularly in high rainfall areas. Efflorescence is caused by the presence of water-soluble salts which occur naturally in cement-water mixtures. The salts are brought to the surface of bricks or blocks as hydroxides when the […]