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  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Liquidated Damages

    A liquidated damages (LD) clause is common in many building contracts for commercial or institutional buildings, but less common in residential contracts.  Liquidated damages are an amount which the builder agrees to pay to the homeowner for late completion of the project.  This is usually an amount per day or per week.  Liquidated damages are […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Mobile Cranes

    The use of mobile cranes in the residential construction industry has become commonplace.  Before commencing using a crane on a construction site it is important to develop a work plan or safe work method statement for all crane operations.  A work plan or safe work method statement should be developed which includes information on, but […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Noise

    Starting times must comply with local government by-laws which dictate the hours within which on-site work can take place. You should consult the building department of your local authority for the relevant requirements. Compliance with these by-laws is a condition on which the building licence is issued to the builder. Once you have discovered the […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Preventative Maintenance

    The regular repainting of timber, sealing of joints, keeping vents and pipes clear, etc. can prevent damage occurring to a property. For example: Make sure that exterior underfloor vents are not covered or clogged up; Check underfloor ventilation and for pests in the underfloor spaces; Check that water drains away from the house after heavy […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Profit Margins in Building

    There are many variables which need to be taken into account to comment on profit margins such as the size and type of project, the type of contract, the overheads/administrative structure of the builder, number of sales and other staff employed, the economic state of the industry, whether renovations or new housing and so on. […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Put and call options

    Property transactions using “put and call options” have been  common in the Eastern States and are used sparingly in WA. This arrangement can be useful to both a vendor and a purchaser in certain circumstances. Put and call options give the purchaser the right to enter a contract of sale for land within a specified […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    BCA: Class 1a vs Class 2

    Classification of a building is of paramount importance for the viability of a project. Getting it right from the start will ensure you are not over or under-specifying your buildings. Large developments are sometimes classified incorrectly as Class 2 based on the scale, instead of the actual definition of the buildings of the development. This […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Financing a Renovation

    The first thing to consider when you decide to renovate is exactly how you want to enhance your home. It seems obvious, but making sure you have a clearly defined vision from the start will minimise the risk of getting carried away and allow you to stick to a budget. Once you decide on what […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Bonding

    Bonding is a term used in a number of contexts for people involved in the land development or building sectors. Below are two of these uses. In the land development sector, suppose a developer has a land sub-division requiring $10 million worth of civil work and provision of essential services, but has only completed $7 […]