Make your house a star

You may not realise it, but the house you are living in could soon be making you money and you don't even need to leave your lounge room.

Production companies and photographers are constantly on the look out for the perfect house to film a new commercial, television series or magazine spread – and your house could be next.

It's the money making enterprise that could see you reaping big rewards.

Homeowners can earn up to tens of thousands of dollars for a long TV series, where crews need to return each week.
If you don't want to worry about crews in your house on a weekly basis, you can simply 'rent' out your house for a one day photo shoot which could earn you up to $2000.

What makes your home a potential star?

• The biggest thing to keep in mind is the size of the home - crews need enough room to work
• Easy access to the house is important for gear
• Plenty of parking for trucks and equipment in the neighbourhood is also important
• A quiet location when filming and recording sound

If you're interested in having your house involved, please visit the following websites.

MelbourneMichael Gaffney

Gaff1@optusnet.com.au

SydneyLimitless Locations

www.limitlesslocations.com.au

Ph: 02 9300 0153

AdelaideContact the South Australian Film Corporation and search for location managers. www.safilm.com.au

Western AustraliaContact Screenwest for contacts of location managers

www.screenwest.com.au

Brisbane

Contact your local film organisation

(Source: Ninemsn)

Domestic Building Contract (7) - SA

You must have a written contract if the value of the building work is $12,000 and over ($5,000 and over prior to 15 October 2001).

A building contract must :

• be in writing and legible
• set out all terms
• show the business name of the contractor and licence number and the names and licence numbers of business partners (if applicable)
• be signed by the contractor and owner (or their agents) and
• stipulate a fixed price (can include a “rise and fall clause”), and payment terms.

More information can be found at: http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/licensing/buildingworkers/obligations/domestic.html

(Source: Office of Consumer and Business Affairs SA)

How do I get an owner-builder permit? - NSW

To get an owner-builder permit, you must apply at a Fair Trading Centre and show that:

• you are over 18 years old
• you own the land or have a prescribed interest in the land (certificate of title or rate notice)
• you live or intend to live in the completed home or one dwelling of the dual occupancy as your principal residence.

You must also provide:

• a description and address of the proposed work with a copy of the plans and council development application number or complying development certificate number
• the owner-builder permit application fee
• evidence that you have completed an approved owner-builder course, where the value of the proposed work is over $12,000. A permit cannot be issued for work that has already commenced.

There are no exemptions from the need to complete a course unless you hold an approved equivalent qualification.
A spouse or relative will not be issued with an owner-builder permit for their partner’s or family’s land.
Also, there are specific rules for applicants where a company owns the land.

(Source: NSW Fair Trading)

Home Building Contract (6) - QLD

Building Services Authority (BSA) Contract Packs

Click here

(Source: bca.qld.gov.au)

Home Building Contract (5) - QLD

Domestic Building Contracts Act 2000

The Domestic Building Contracts Act 2000 (the DBC Act) was introduced to provide improved protection and information to Queensland home owners undertaking domestic building work valued at more than $3300 (including labour, materials and GST). It is important to understand the key provisions of the Act (detailed below), especially as some contractors may seek to use contract documentation which does not comply with this new legislation.

Written contracts

All domestic building work valued at $3,300 or more must be covered by a written contract which complies with the DBC Act. Home owners should carefully check their contract documentation and, if necessary, seek legal advice before signing to ensure it complies with the Act. BSA produces a range of contracts which comply with the Act and cover all types of domestic building work – the 'Major Works' Contract Pack recommended for domestic building projects with a contract price exceeding $40,000 to the construction of an entire house (i.e. Designated Stages Contract); 'Minor Works' Contract Pack recommended for domestic building projects from $3,301 to $40,000 (e.g. renovations), and the Contract for Small Building Projects for work less than $3300.

The 'Cooling-off' period

All contracts for domestic building work valued at over $3300 must advise home owners of their right to a 'cooling-off' period. Under the DBC Act home owners may withdraw from the contract during the cooling-off period, usually within 5 business days of receiving from the contractor a copy of both the signed contract and a BSA-approved Contract Information Statement. The home owner must give written notice of their intention to withdraw to the contractor and pay certain costs (usually $100 plus ‘out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by the contractor before the building owner withdrew from the contract’).

Information statements

The DBC Act requires contractors to provide home owners with a signed copy of the contract, together with a BSA-approved Contract Information Statement, within 5 business days of entering into the contract. Contract Information Statements contain general information relating to the contract for the benefit of home owners. BSA has two versions of a Contract Information Statement (available from any BSA Office) known as the BSA Major Works Consumer Guide and BSA Minor Works Information Statement. Be sure to carefully read the Contract Information Statement you are given by the contractor before you sign the contract.

Variations

Failure to fully and accurately document changes to the original contract (commonly known as 'variations' ) is a frequent cause of building disputes. All variations requested by the contractor must be put in writing and copied to the home owner as soon as practicable. The only exception is if the work is required urgently and it is not reasonably practicable to produce a variation document before commencing work. If a variation requested by a contractor involves additional work, the home owner is only liable to pay for that extra work if the contractor could not reasonably have foreseen the extra work at the time of contracting. The contractor must not demand payment for variations before the work has commenced.

(Source: bsa.qld.gov.au)

Home Building Contract (4) - VIC

Builders and consumers are required to have a formal written contract for most work worth more than $5000. Builders must give the building owner a copy of the contract and all relevant documents such as plans and specifications.

To successfully manage your building contract, you must be actively involved in planning the content of the contract. You need to make sure that everything you want in the construction of the new home or renovation is included. If details are not included in the contract, the builder is not required to deliver them.

What must be included

Before signing your domestic building contract, check that it contains all details required by the Act. The contract must:

• be written clearly in English
• set out the full terms of the contract
• give detailed descriptions of the work to be carried out under the contract
• include plans and specifications containing enough information to obtain a building permit for the work
• state the names and addresses of the parties to the contract
• state the registration number as it appears on the builder's registration certificate
• state the date when the work is to start, or how that date is to be determined
• state the builder will do everything that is reasonably possible to start work as soon as possible, if the start date is not known
• state a finish date, or if the start date is not known, the number of days that will be required to finish the work once it has started
• state the contract price, or in the case of a cost plus contract, how the amount that the builder is to be paid is to be determined
• state the date the contract is made
• set out details of the insurance required under the Building Act 1993
• give clear advice about the five-day cooling-off period
• have a separate section including definitions of words used in the contract
• show which words used in the contract are included in the list of definitions
• set out warranties implied into the contract
• contain an approved checklist.

Types of Contracts

Contracts are prepared by a number of organisations and are available for a range of different types of domestic building work, including works under $5000.

(Source: consumer.vic.com.au)

Home Building Contract (3) - WA

What is a contract?

A contract is a formal agreement that sets out in writing the arrangement between the homeowner and the person undertaking the work. The Home Building Contracts Act 1991 requires that a contract must be in writing, however the form that a contract can take ranges from a detailed quotation for a small job, through to a number of documents bundled together (including drawings and specifications) as happens for a new home, major renovation or swimming pool installation.

What should be in a contract?

A contract must contain all the terms, conditions and provisions of the agreement, and must be dated and signed by both parties to make the contract legally binding. If these requirements aren’t met, the homeowner can terminate the contract at any time before the work is completed simply by notifying the builder in writing. In addition, by not abiding by the conditions of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 a builder can be fined up to $2,000.

Price Rises ‘Rise and fall’ clauses are prohibited under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991, meaning that the contract price must be "fixed". Any attempt to incorporate these into a contract can attract a $10,000 fine. Some price-rise clauses can be written into the contract to accommodate increases in actual costs after the contract has been signed, such as changes to State or Commonwealth laws, taxes or duty, or delays not caused by the builder. Special conditions also apply to ‘cost plus’ contracts.

Deposits

Deposits must not exceed 6.5% of the total cost of the work. If the builder takes a deposit more than this then the homeowner has the right to terminate the contract before the work is completed.

Progress Payments

Progress payments must be stipulated in the contract and must only be claimed for work actually completed or materials already supplied. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in a penalty up to $10,000.

Contract Variations

Variations to a contract must be signed and dated by both parties with a copy given to the homeowner before any variation work has commenced. Exceptions include changes resulting from directions given by the local government building surveyor or from an unforeseeable circumstances.

Workmanship Defects

Builders are liable to make good defects in home building work where notified in writing within 4 months of practical completion. This is to be at no extra cost to the homeowner. The Builders’ Registration Act 1939 also gives power to the Building Disputes Tribunal to issue an Order to Remedy on a builder where work is found to be faulty or unsatisfactory up to six years from completion.

Home Building Contract (2) - NSW

NSW Office of Fair Trading version:

Home Buidling Contract

For work under $25,000

download from here

(Source: faritrading msw)

Home Building Contract (1) - NSW

NSW Office of Fair Trading version:

Home Buidling Contract

For work over $25,000 and al l residentialswimming pools

download from here

(Source: faritrading msw)

What's Residential building work?

Residential building work is any work involved in the doing or the supervision or the co-ordination of the construction of (or alterations, repairs or additions to, or protective treatment of) a dwelling.
A dwelling (ie. house, terrace, villa, home unit, etc) includes:
swimming pool or spa
garage, shed, cupboards, driveway, fence, and
various other structures prescribed by the regulations when they are constructed for use in conjunction with a dwelling.
A developer usually arranges for another party (licensed contractor) to do the residential building work.
The contractor (whether an individual, company or partnership) which carries out the building work is:
responsible for the entire project
subject to the licensing and insurance requirements of the Home Building Act.

What are my responsibilities as an owner-builder? (NSW)

As an owner-builder, you are responsible for:

• overseeing and supervising all tradespeople
• ordering of materials and management of the building site
• obtaining all necessary council and authority approvals
• ensuring that the financial, taxation and insurance requirements of the building work are met and fully comply with all laws
• being aware of your obligations under the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and providing a safe work environment that complies with WorkCover requirements
• ensuring any contractor engaged is appropriately licensed and insured to do the work contracted for
• warranting that the work and materials will be fit for the purpose and that the work results in a dwelling fit for occupation.
  

Do your sums before you start and ask yourself if any saving you will make is worth the time and responsibility it will take.

As an owner-builder you are guaranteeing the work you undertake.
It is an offence under the Home Building Act (maximum penalty $22,000) for the holder of an owner-builder permit to:

• knowingly engage an unlicensed contractor
• lend your permit to another person
• refuse to disclose to an authorised officer the names and addresses of contractors working on the site.

If you don’t want the responsibility of being an owner-builder, you should be wary of a builder who suggests you obtain an owner-builder permit while they do all the building work for you. This may be a ploy where the builder is shirking responsibility, is unlicensed, or is unable to get necessary insurance.

The Facts on Being an Owner-Builder (VIC)

Did you know that owner-builder take on all the risks and responsibilities of a registered building practitioner?

Before you decide to do-it-yourself, get the facts on being an owner-builder.

• Fact: Owner-builders must obtain a Certificate of Consent for any domestic building work with a value over $12,000 in order to obtain a building permit.
• Fact: Owner-builders can only obtain a building permit for one home every three years.
• Fact: Owner-builders do not build for a profit.
• Fact: Owner-builders must be an owner of the land/property.
• Fact: Owner-builders must reside and continue to reside, or intend to reside in the property.

What type of insurance is required for an owner-builder? (VIC)

Builders Warranty Insurance

Builders Warranty Insurance is required by all domestic builders who enter into domestic building contracts in which the contract price for the building work is more than $12,000. Insurance provides important protection for building consumers, in the event that a builder dies, becomes insolvent or disappears, and can't finish the building project or fix defects.

Professional Indemnity InsuranceProfessional Indemnity Insurance is required by the following building practitioner categories and classes:

• Building surveyor
• Building inspector
• Quantity surveyor Engineer - Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Fire Safety
• Draftperson - Building design (architectural, interior and services)
• Architect (Please note: architects are registered with Architects Registration Board Victoria)

Professional indemnity insurance indemnifies the practitioner against legal liability resulting from any claim or claims made during the period of insurance.

Public Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is required by the following building practitioner categories and classes:

Public Liability Insurance indemnifies the building practitioner against legal liability resulting from any claim or claims made during the period of insurance

• Builder - Demolisher (low rise buildings, medium rise buildings and unlimited)
• Erector or supervisor (temporary structures)

Structural Defects/Builders Indemnity Insurance

Builders Indemnity Insurance for Structural Defects is required by all commercial builders (unlimited).

What's a Construction Certificate

"construction certificate" means a certificate referred to in section 109C (1) (b).

"control", in relation to development or any other act, matter or thing, means:

(a) consent to, permit, regulate, restrict or prohibit that development or that other act, matter or thing, either unconditionally or subject to conditions, or

(b) confer or impose on a consent authority functions with respect to consenting to, permitting, regulating, restricting or prohibiting that development or that other act, matter or thing, either unconditionally or subject to conditions.

(Source: austlii)

Estimate the Cost of Building Your New Home

The following list will give you, the homeowner a list of items to consider in determining the estimated cost of constructing your dream home. There are several possible choice in each category presented, it is important to honestly consider the implications of your choices to your budget. • Determine where you want to build ? Today, there are many new housing developments popping up throughout most areas of the country. If you would like to build in an existing new home plan, you should consider the cost of the lot in addition to future costs, such as a homeowner?s association annual fee.
If you choose to purchase a piece of land that is not in a new housing plan, the cost may be less.
Another option is to build on your current lot, which may cost even less than the other two possible options.
• Purchase the plans for your home ? Custom homes are a wonderful option, but it is more cost effective to purchase plans that were previously designed by architects or designers specializing in home plan development. There are many places to purchase home plans, you might want to look on the internet for a plan that meets your need.
• Decide on a general contractor ? You need to decide whether you will hire one contractor to oversee the construction of your new home or whether you will serve as the general contractor, and subcontract out individual sections of the construction to specialists in the field of new home construction.
Specialists that may be required are masons, excavators, roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC specialists, bricklayers, window and door installers and finishers.
• Talk to the contractors ? Regardless of whether you will serve as the general contractor or you plan to hire out the work to subcontractors, it is important to add the costs of each specialist in addition to the building costs. In many cases, labor is the highest cost a home builder assumes. Be sure to calculate this accurately!
• Investigate associated fees - In addition to the cost of the materials of realizing your home plans into a dream residence, and the cost of the labor required to build the home, you will need to think about the other fees you may encounter. Most municipalities require a building permit. There may be a percentage or flat fee attached to the permit. There may also be inspection fees, finance costs and if any plan changes need to be made there could be expensive designer or architect fees.
Building a new home is a very exciting proposition, and we want to make sure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. The items listed above will hopefully lead you in the direction of developing a realistic cost estimate for your new home.

(Source: Buildingplans.com)

Understanding your building contract - Victoria

For most people, it takes hours and hours to choose the right home. With this level of time and investment it is worth making the effort to read your building contract and understand its contents.
Builders and consumers are required to have a formal written contract which meets the requirements of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995.
The contract is a binding document between you and your builder and incudes a variety of information including a start and completion date, details about progress payments and specifications for your new home.
Your builder may use a standard industry contract for domestic housing from their industry association or have a lawyer draft one.
Whatever the contract, it is important that you educate yourself on the document and the building contract process. Contracts provide a baseline in case a dispute arises between you and your builder. If the correct information isn't recorded in the contract, either as part of the original agreement or in a variation, it is not binding. Here are some handy tips to help you with the contractual process:
Make sure your contract includes a start and finish date, detailed plans and a clear statement about your coooling-off period.
Check your contract with a specialist building consultant or solicitor before signing.
Cross out all blank sections in the contract.
Check insurance details, particularly warranty insurance.
Ensure you understand the costings and any subsequent variations.
Familiarise yourself with the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995. The Act sets out a number of warranties that apply to all domestic building contracts, so the work carried out on your home meets its standards.
Understand the schedule of progress payments set out under section 40 of the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995. Parties entering their own schedule of payments should seek expert advice.
Make sure variations are documented, understood and signed before work is commenced.
Be aware of a five-day cooling off period after signing the contract.
Document all work conducted from day one. Taking regular photographs and dating them is a good way of recording the progress of works.

(Source: BuildingCommission)

Whoes Responsibility - Home Warranty Insurance

Home warranty insurance must be obtained by the home building contractor and the certificate of insurance given to the homeowner prior to taking any money on the contract and prior to commencing the work, or supplying the kit home.

Home warranty insurance cover:

• is required for any residential building work or supply of a kit home, where the work requires a licence and is valued at over $12,000
• for policies issued from 1 March 2007 must provide minimum cover of $300,000
• for policies issued between 1 May 1997 and 28 February 2007 must provide minimum cover of $200,000
• is sold by approved private insurance companies.

(Source: Fair Trading NSW)

Owner Builder requirements and state authorities

Australian Capital Territory Planning and Land Authority

New South Wales Office of Fair Trading

Queensland Building Services Authority

South Australia Planning SA

Tasmania Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources

Victoria Consumer Affairs Victoria

Western Australia Builder's Registration Board

Why Owner Builder?

The main reason people choose to build themselves is to save money.
The reality is that an owner-builder who is not part of the industry usually pays significantly more for materials than a building professional.
Many professionals work on very low margins and use their bulk buying power to purchase materials at much cheaper prices. And of course they don't need to buy or hire their tools.

Definition of an Owner Builder - NSW

Masterbuilders:
An owner-builder is a person who is not a registered builder and who proposes to carry out all building work over $12,000 or when a building permit or approval is required limited to a single detached dwelling for the proposed work.

Home Building Act 1989 - SECT 3:
A person who does Owner Builder Work (and who is issued an owner-builder permit for that work.
Owner Builder Work means residential building work:
(a) the reasonable market cost of the labour and materials involved in which exceeds the prescribed amount, and
(b) that relates to a single dwelling-house or a dual occupancy:
(i) that may not be carried out on the land concerned except with development consent under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 , or
(ii) that is complying development within the meaning of that Act.

Fwd: Owner Builder Course Provider NSW (2)

Owner Builder Training Information Centre (Aust.)
Owner Builder Training Information Course
Duration: Various, depending on method
Method: Private tuition*, workshop or by correspondence
Enquiries: 9153 0530 or 0415 215 996 orfax 9153 6000
Email: obtic_australia@optusnet.com.au
Website: www.buildingcentre.com/obtic
* within local metropolitan area

Owner-Building Solutions Australia Pty Ltd
Self-paced Correspondence Course
Duration: Self-paced study at home
Method: By correspondence
Enquiries: 1800 777 996
Email: build@ownerbuilding.com.au
Website: www.ownerbuilding.com.au

Sydney Home Ideas Centre
BC Owner-Building Course
Duration: Two days (16 hours)
Method: Workshop
Enquiries: 9304 4900
Website: www.homeideas.com.au

BC Introduction to Owner-Building Course
Duration: Eight-hour session
Method: Workshop
Enquiries: 9304 4900
Website: www.homeideas.com.au


TAFE OTEN
Course in Owner-Builder Information (#1284 or 9052)
Duration: Self-paced study at home
Method: By correspondence, hardcopy
Enquiries: 1300 652 947
Email: oten.building@tafensw.edu.au

TAFE PLUS
Course in Owner-Builder Information (#1284 or 9052)
Duration: Eight hours over one day, or two evenings
Method: Seminar
Enquiries: 1300 131 499 or contact your local TAFE college
Website: www.tafeplus.com

Tanglen Holdings Pty Ltd
Building Construction Advisors Australia
Duration: Eight-hour seminar or self-paced study
Method: Seminar or by correspondence
Enquiries: 0418 679 521 or fax 9810 2304
Email: BCA.Australia@bigpond.com

(Source: Fair Trading NSW)

Fwd: Owner Builder Course Provider NSW (1)

ABE Education Pty Ltd
Online Owner-Builder Course – ‘Own-It Build-It’
Duration: Self-paced study at home or work

Method: Online, hardcopy or correspondence

Enquiries: 9798 5000

Email: info@ownitbuildit.com.au

Website: www.oibi.com.au

Absolute Owner Builder OnlinePty Ltd
Online course for Owner Buildersin Australia
Duration: Self-paced study at home

Method: By correspondence, online or hardcopy

Enquiries: 1800 427 407

Email: info@ozob.com.au

Website: www.ozob.com.au

Asset Building Consultants Pty Ltd
Introduction Course for Owner-Builders
Duration: Self paced study at home

Method: By correspondence, online or hardcopy

Enquiries: 4471 5547

Email: info@assetbuildingconsultants.com.au

Website: www.assetbuildingconsultants.com.au

Australian Owner-Builders Pty Ltd
Australian Owner Builders Course
Duration: Self-paced study at home

Method: Online or by correspondence

Enquiries: 1800 822 220

Email: info@buildsafe.com.au

Website: www.buildsafe.com.au/owner/courses

Manly Warringah Community College
Owner Builder Essentials Skills Course
Duration: Eight-hour seminar

Method: Seminar

Enquires: 9970 1000

Email: enquiries@mwcc.nsw.edu.au

Website: www.mwcc.nsw.edu.au

Meridian Project Consulting Pty Ltd
Home One Owner Builder Course
Duration: 10 hoursMethod: On-line course

Enquiries: 1300 664 569

Email: admin@ownerbuilder.homeone.com.au

Website: www.ownerbuilder.homeone.com.au

Newcastle Master Builders Association (NMBA)
NMBA Owner-Builder Course
Duration: Six-hour session

Method: Seminar

Enquiries: 1300 780 095

Website: www.newcastle-mba.com.au

NSW Owner-Builder Alliance
Owner-Builder Information Course
Duration: Self-paced study at home

Method: By correspondence

Enquiries: 1800 004 584 (24 hours, 7 days)Email:obuild@netspace.net.auWebsite:www.obuild.com.au

(Source: Fair Trading NSW)