Builders Blog

I was talking with an older builder recently, when I heard an old expression not commonly used these days.
'Best face to London' simply means select the best face to face outward where you will see it. Just as I was taught to select a 'Face' side when working timber, so any material can show the 'Best face to London'.
It seems pretty obvious to me, this expression must have originated in England.
If you know of any other expressions in danger of passing into history, let us know, we may be able to preserve them for a little while longer.

Archaeologists have uncovered a clay tablet over 4,000 years old, perhaps the oldest written law book, the Code of Hammurabi from ancient Babylon, which provided penalties that represented the world's first Building Code.
 
It said

'If a builder built a house for someone and does not construct it properly and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.
If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that builder shall be put to death.
If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall pay slave for slave to the owner of the house.
If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined.'

Fortunately, penalties for infractions of Building Regulations today are a lot less draconian, but none the less, they exist!
Non-compliance with CPD regulations can lead to serious consequences, see NSW Office of Fair Trading website for details.
Why risk your License when compliance can be so simple?
If you have any questions, call me!

In NSW, as of July 1, 2010 a new law has taken effect. If you are excavating anywhere near underground gas or electrical services, it is now compulsory to first notify 'Dial Before You Dig NSW/ACT' in order to determine the location of these services. This information is to be requested within 30 days of commencement of proposed excavation. Excavation using machinery to a depth less than 150mm does not require notification. Hand excavation to a depth less than 300mm does not require notification. If 'Dial Before You Dig' considers your proposed excavation could damage their services, they can order you to modify your excavation or even prevent you from excavating. Penalties of $22,000 for individuals and $44,000 for companies can be applied with a possible 5 year custodial sentence, in addition to Gas and Electrical Service Providers' costs to repair their Networks.
You may contact 'Dial before you Dig' by phone on 1100 or at www.1100.com.au

Details are contained in:
    1. Energy Legislation Amendment (Infrastructure Protection) Act 2009
    2. Electricity Supply (General) Amendment (Infrastructure Protection) Regulation 2010
    3. Gas Supply (Safety and Network Management) Amendment (Infrastructure Protection) Regulation 2010

Forewarned is forearmed. 

Recently announced by the NSW Treasurer, from 1st. July 2010, the NSW Government's Self Insurance Corporation will become the only underwriter of Home Warranty Insurance in NSW. The administration will be by QBE & Calliden. Vero was not granted an agency, however there will be a period of 3 months ('till 30 September 2010) to transfer to one of the two agents, QBE or Calliden.
If any builder would like to let us know if they were sucessful or otherwise in making this changeover, we may be able to assist other builders. 

Jenny writes on behalf of her son Geoff, a Central Coast builder;-

"It is a good idea that the NSW  Govt. is taking over the Home Warranty Insurance in July, however what is happening to the builders who are financial enough to continue with a good business and the Insurance Companies won't accept them because they know that the Government will be taking over shortly?  Do they go broke in the meantime?  Something needs to be put into place right now.  THIS IS MOST URGENT OR THE DOMINO EFFECT WILL BEGIN AND UNPLOYMENT WILL BE RIFE.  Think about it !"

The NSW Office of Fair Trading states on their web site to contact them if you have any difficulties obtaining this Insurance.  

Has anyone been in a similar position to Geoff?  What was your experience?  Does anyone have any suggestions?

We would like to hear from you.  

Please comment below or email us at trev@mybuildingsite.com.au 

 

  

A Builder (Garry) has had success securing Home Warranty Insurance prior to the upcoming NSW Office of Fair Trading takeover 1 July 2010.

Check out his comment on NSW OFFICE OF FAIR TRADING TAKING OVER HOME WARRANTY INSURANCE IN 2010 dated 13 Dec 2009.

Does anyone else have a story about their recent experience with this issue?

Ziad Nakhoul, a Builder from North Rocks is our January 2010 promotion winner.  He receives a $50 Visa Gift card from MyBuildingSite Pty. Ltd.

Congratulations Ziad!

Thankyou everyone for your input and  earning your CPD points through this web site.   

Tony raised the question (Happy New Year comments) What to do if a Tradesman claims to be licenced when in fact he is not licenced?
Several years ago I was doing a job in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney when a young man sought labouring work and supplied an ABN which turned out to be false when my partner did a check.  I confronted him the next day, he apologised, gave me the correct ABN which was checked, found correct and I paid him up to the end of the day.  I felt since he had not been totally honest, I couldn't rely on him further.  
I always use licenced tradesmen, and if they are new to me I ask for proof.  Anyone found using falsified licence documents would be guilty of fraud, and the Office of Fair Trading in New South Wales would be interested in any details as would the Victorian Building Commission and the Tasmanian Department of Justice in those States. 
You can do a Licence check by going to the web site of the relevant Authority.  Also ABN,  check through the ATO web site.   
As the Licenced Head Contractor you are ultimately responsible for the whole job, including work done by licenced tradesmen.  

Rowan Salisbury-Baker, a builder from Summerland Point has won a $50 Visa Gift Card from MyBuildingSite in our December 2009 promotion.

Congratulations to Rowan.

Thank you to everyone for your input and for earning your CPD points through this website. 

Happy New Year to all Builders and Building Practitioners out there.

Hopefully 2010 will be better than 2009, there are many good signs for a better year.

I personally hope that the Government and the Banks keep a lid on interest rates to encourage building work, we'll all soon see.