b'use their own set of preferred tradespeopleplumbers, drainlayers, tilers, sparkies, etc. once youve selectedCredentialsisthebuilderaRegisteredCertieda builderBuilder or a registered member of the Master Builders Federation? To nd out more about registered buildersUnless youre dealing with a really low-budget and construction companies in your area, visit eitherrenovation, do give serious consideration to www.certied.co.nz or www.masterbuilder.org.nz,getting an architect or a project manager to or www.masterbuilders.com.au in Australia. managetheundertaking.Ifyouredoingit Proven experiencehow many years has your builderyourself,though,remember,youllneeda signed contract before work begins. been in business? Ask to see referencesand do more than just checkingThemainissueistomakesureyourlegal liabilities are identied, and that your builder them by phone. If possible, ask to visit one or twowilltakeresponsibilityforaddressingthem. previous projects and look at the quality of the work.This means ensuring that the necessary building Try to do this without the builder present, so you canorresourceconsents,andabuildingcode ask the homeowner some frank questions: Did theircompliance certicate, are obtained. Failure to project run smoothly? If not, why not? Were there anycomply with construction standards and tick off hold-ups in their job? Was there a budget blow-out?the right paperwork is highly likely to affect the If so, why? sale of your house further down the track.Obtain a written quoteensure that its itemised, so Finally,dontforgetthatyoucanconsider that you know everything has been included. You dontholdingbackapercentageofthepayment want to be landed with any hidden extras at the enduntil the last construction details have been of the job. dealt with to your satisfactionsuch retentions Get an estimate of a likely timeframe for your projectcan be mentioned in your contract. Once yourhow available is your builder? How many other jobsbuilder has left the site, it can be really difcult dotheyalreadyhavebookedin?Whatsizeistheto persuade them back to x any problems.constructionteam?Howmuchtimewillthehead builder personally spend on site? If problems occur, you need someone who will be readily accessible. InNewZealand,therearevarioustypesof building contracts available, depending on the Alarm bells should ring if the builder nature of the project: I snt someone you instinctively like and trust, and willArchitects use: the NZIA (New Zealand Institute enjoy working with. Remember, you may be dealingof Architects) provides a range of contracts to with them for many weeks or months. suit the scale of individual projects. Doesnt listen to your questions or concerns, or give youProject managers and engineers use: NZ3910 straight answers to reasonable enquiries. contractsproducedbytheNewZealand Doesnt return calls or generally follow up. Standards Association. Doesnt do what they say they are going to do. Other: both the CBANZ (Certied Builders Isnt helpful with solving problems. Association of New Zealand) and the Master BuildersFederationprovidearangeof I s culpable of the obviousunacceptable delays, ridiculousstandard contracts for their members thatReseneCorditeexcuses, fobbing you off with cheaper products thatvary according to the type of project.Resenedont meet your specs. Takaka94 |'