1. Is your company fully licenced and insured?
Yes! Our builder is a fully licensed building practitioner and registered in the class Domestic Builder Unlimited (Licence No. 27147). This means we are able to carry out all components of domestic building work for the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of your home.
Builders in Victoria are required by law to take out domestic building insurance, also known as builder’s warranty insurance, for work valued at more than $16,000. We will provide our clients with a copy of the policy and a certificate of currency covering the client’s property.
Of course, every electrician and plumber we work with is fully licensed as well.
2. Will I get a contract from you?
Yes, if your job is large we will provide you with a contract. By law, we will provide you with a ‘domestic building contract’ for work worth more than $10,000.
3. Can you help with the design?
After nearly three decades building and renovating homes we can certainly help you make your design work for your family. We work closely with engineers and a draftsperson to make your renovation and new home look great and meet your needs.
4. How long will my project take to complete?
This depends on the project and how much work is involved.
Here are a few guidelines:
- A kitchen renovation generally takes between 2-4 weeks to complete and depends on whether it is a custom-made design or a flat pack kitchen (e.g. Ikea or Bunnings kitchen)
- A bathroom renovation generally takes between 2-4 weeks
- An extension generally takes a few months depending on the size of the extension.
5. Do I need to move out during my renovation?
This depends on the type of work and we will discuss the best course of action for your family. There are ways to make a renovation work. For instance, if you only have one bathroom, you can hire a portable bathroom and stay in your home while we renovate.
6. Are all workers in your company vaccinated against Covid-19?
Yes, all workers and subcontractors as well as our office staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19. We also follow all COVID-19 safety protocols for building sites.
7. How much will my renovation cost?
The cost depends on the size and scope of your renovation. We will provide you with an obligation free quote that outlines the scope and cost of your renovation so you can decide if you wish to go ahead.
8. Do you charge a fee for your quotation?
Our quotations for renovation work are free of charge. We do, however, charge a small fee of $300.00 plus GST for insurance claims. This fee is fully refundable if the client does go ahead with our company.
9. Are there any hidden costs that are not included in the quotation/contract?
The price quoted and/or included in the contract is what you will pay for the services that are part of the quotation/contract. So, there are no hidden costs. However, depending on the type of project, provisional sums, prime cost items and variations may impact the final cost.
Provisional sums and prime cost items are clearly listed in the quotation/contract and reflect our best estimations at the time of quotation. Variations are required if you, the owner, wish to vary the plans or specifications after signing the contract and can only be done with the client’s and builder’s consent.
What is a provisional sum in my contract?
A provisional sum is a monetary allowance for work that will be carried out but cannot be priced exactly at the time of signing the contract. This often includes a combination of items, materials, labour and plant hire. Services that are invoiced as provisional sums are clearly stated in your contract.
A common example of a provisional sum item is earthworks (soil removal) on a site where there is uncertainty about soil conditions. The builder will make a reasonable allowance for the site works based on the information available at the time. However, you may be required to cover the difference between the provisional sum and the actual cost of the work, if ground conditions are significantly different than expected.
What is a prime cost item in my contract?
Prime cost items include items with an allocated set budget that are required for your renovation. A common example is tapware. We usually don’t specify a particular brand, model and style of taps to allow you to choose the item yourself according to your personal taste and budget. Therefore, we will allocate a certain value for taps rather than specify the exact cost. Unlike provisional sums, a prime cost allowance is usually for the cost of the item only. So, the builder needs to allow for the installation of the item separately. A prime cost item could incur additional fitting charges.
We try to avoid provisional sums and prime cost items as much as possible to avoid complexity for your contract. Please feel free to ask us if you have any questions about provisional sums and prime cost items in your contract.
10. Will I need a building permit?
Any renovation work involving load bearing work such as extensions, the installation of bigger windows or doors, pergolas and carports requires a building permit from your local Council.
11. Will you apply for the building permit, should I need one?
We can work as an agent for you and apply for a building permit on your behalf with your Council. We work with a building surveyor who we can recommend and engage on your behalf with a quick turnaround time. You will still need to sign the application for the building permit.
12. I’m interested in building an extension to the house. How much will it cost?
This depends on the extension type (single or double storey) and the engineering and soil report. Double storey extensions are generally much more expensive than single story extensions but have the advantage of maximising the space available on your property.