Victorians wanting to make the most of Autumn weather and undertake renovations around their home need to know when to hire a professional, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) warns.
Consumers need to use a registered builder for most domestic building work worth more than $10,000, including parts and labour.
The VBA’s State Building Surveyor Andrew Cialini said anyone who uses an unregistered builder or tradesperson to carry out work valued at over $10,000 risks having no protection from poor quality work.
“If you do it yourself or hire someone who isn’t registered, the work done won’t be covered by domestic building insurance, and this could cost you significantly more in the long run,” Mr Cialini said.
“In Victoria, building practitioners must be registered with the VBA to perform certain kinds of work, so do your research and ask for some key information up front, so there are no shocks later on.”
Mr Cialini said consumers should be wary of anyone offering their building or plumbing services via online marketplaces and through apps.
“With the rise of online apps and websites where anyone can advertise their services without qualifications, it’s important to always check the credentials of anyone you hire.
“You can check whether the builder or plumber you’re looking to use is registered with the VBA and whether they’ve faced any disciplinary action.
“We want consumers to be in a position to make informed decisions especially where it may impact their safety and wellbeing. The use of registered practitioners is one such decision and will lead to improved confidence in the building industry.”
Aspiring home DIY-ers do not have to use a registered builder for jobs only involving one of the following types of work, regardless of cost: floor and wall tiling, glazing, painting and decorating, installing insulation, sheet plastering, solid plastering and rendering, floor finishing and covering, attaching external blinds, awnings, security screens, insect screens and balustrades, erecting poles, masts, aerials and antennae.
“However, if the job requires two or more of these trade skills, or if you want to undertake any other task that exceeds the $10,000 limit, you must hire a registered practitioner,” Mr Cialini said.
Anyone looking to undertake home renovation can get expert advice from the VBA’s online consumer portal.
Victorians can visit vba.vic.gov.au/check to make sure their builder or plumber is registered or licensed.
