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| 6 Jun 2013 Cracking Cornices and Plaster Cracks
Cracking cornices and plaster cracks are a common feature that often occur naturally in a new home. Ground movement and natural settling can occur with minor cracks appearing in walls or cornices, often several years after the house has been completed. Many homebuyers incorrectly believe that this type of cracking is the builders’ responsibility to […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Cubby Houses
Although most Local Governments take a relaxed approach to the humble cubby house when it comes to requiring approvals, it is important that before you consider investing time and money that you ring your local government or visit their website as they may have information regarding their policy or requirements before their installation. Building […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Designing a Home
Many builders have an “in-house” design team that will draw up your building plans as a service to a client. However, ownership of the plans will remain with the builder, and you will be locked in to that builder if you wish to use that design. For one-off designs, consumers can choose architects or draftpeople/designers. […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Materials & Environmental Footprint
While a builders’ warranty period may be for 6 years from the date of practical completion, the life of your house will be significantly longer. Guarantees only relate to minimum performance and you can expect far longer. Outlined below are typical working lives for various building components. Note that many of the structural items such […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Extension of Time
Most building contracts allow the builder to claim an extension of time for completion of the project where there is a delay which could not reasonably be foreseen at the time of contract signing. Such delays could include strikes, unfavourable weather and unavailability of materials or labour. However, the exact terms of the building contract […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Employment and Transfer of Business
TRANSFER OF BUSINESS The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) makes a number of changes to the law governing transfer of business (previously referred to as transmission of business under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth)). This Fact Sheet outlines the new arrangements and indicates the key areas in which changes apply. What is […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Choosing a Builder
The choice of a builder will be influenced by the size and type of project. If it is a new house, do you choose a project home or a custom builder? A remodelling project (ie. renovations, alterations and additions) for instance, usually requires a different level of experience and expertise to blend the old with […]
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| 6 Jun 2013 Condensation
Condensation is at its maximum in new homes. When homes are built many gallons of water go into materials such as concrete, plaster, wallpaper, tile work and even some types of paint. This water evaporates; which explains the reason for a higher moisture content than usual in new homes. To aid the drying out process […]
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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 Contracts for Building
A modest to large house could take about 12 months to build and involve 70 to 80 tradespersons. The slightest problem or variation can cause delays and cost increases. If we accept there are elements of risk in all building projects, the question is: who is to take on those risks? The basic premise of […]