Close

Member Login

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Liveable Homes

    Liveable Homes: Resource for designing new homes A resource has been developed to support designers and builders improve the adaptability and accessibility of new housing designs. Our population is ageing, and the number of people with disability is also on the increase. The ‘Livable Homes’ resources have been developed by the Disability Services Commission with […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Landscape Designers

    Hiring a Landscape Designer is a sound initiative. You wouldn’t consider building your home without a plan, yet many people take a very hap-hazard approach to the creation of their garden. Mistakes and scrimping on costs in the early stages may mean expensive work in rectifying mistakes and getting it right later on. Fortunately, we […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Minimum Conditions & The National Employment Standards

    NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS  Click here to download Fact Sheet This Fact Sheet contains information about annual leave and redundancy provisions of the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020, which vary the minimum standards in the National Employment Standards. The redundancy pay provisions and the method of calculating annual leave in the modern award are […]

  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

    Painting

    Giving your home a fresh coat of paint not only freshens and updates the look of your home, it also maintains the surfaces like exposed timber (veranda posts, timber windows and doors), metal and wall finishes externally and internally. Many people opt to DIY, but it you are looking to have painting work done by […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Passive Solar Design

    Passive solar design techniques often require little or no extra capital outlay but can provide more comfortable living conditions and reduce demand on energy for space heating or cooling. Taking advantage of natural sunlight to provide winter warmth and planning for suitable shading for summer will save money and improve comfort levels in your new […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Geographic Information Systems

    Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is a technology critical to the successful management and completion of many projects. It integrates spatial data, software and hardware with skilled professionals, enabling the detailed analysis of opportunites, constraints and potential impacts at any scale. GIS has now become an invaluable tool for the management of complex environmental challenges and […]

  1. | 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 […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Deposits for Plans

    Under a Preparation of Plans Agreement or a Preliminary Work contract homebuyers sometimes pay a small deposit on signing these contracts, which does not commit either party to build the home. The agreement covers the builder’s costs of plans being drawn up, application fees, and the like.  Usually if the contract goes ahead, any deposit […]

  1. | 6 Jun 2013

    Electricity Connections and Headworks Charges

    WA Electrical requirements provide for a standard supply up to: 63 Amps single phase (Perth and major towns) 32 Amps single phase (rural areas and small towns) 32 Amps per phase for multiphase (all areas) Consumer mains size of 35mm² (all areas) A large house with air-conditioning, pool and many appliances is likely to require […]