8 home renovation rules for working with builders

DEALING with a builder on your renovation requires tact combined with an iron will. To make sure you get through it unscathed, follow these tips.

Working with builders

DEALING with a builder on your renovation requires tact combined with an iron will. To make sure you get through it unscathed, follow these tips.

To make sure you get through it unscathed, follow these tips from homelife.com.au

* Ensure you hire a good certifier who will oversee the elements of the job that require approval by council officials and water, gas and electrical suppliers. A good certifier is like an independent watchdog, ensuring that all work is done to the required standard.

* Agree the standard of work at the beginning, there is no point complaining about the quality of the job at the end by which time it’s too late to remedy anything without vast cost.

* Visit the site regularly and ask the builder or foreman questions about anything you are unhappy with or uncertain about. Don’t allow them to fob you off with jargon or a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude. You're paying for it all so you have the right to know what’s going on.

* Only pay for materials delivered to your site. Don’t allow the builder to buy materials for several jobs which are divided up elsewhere. Check items like bathroom components and cabinetry before it is installed to ensure cracks, chips or the like don’t become an irreversible problem.

* Be reasonable with your builder when weather delays work. It is unsafe and ultimately not an economical use of time to work in extreme rain or wind.

* Consult with your insurance company for changes required while building works are in progress. Theft from partially renovated, unsecure buildings is not uncommon and not necessarily covered by your regular contents insurance.

* Most building companies have several projects on the go at the same time and draw labour from one site or another when required. This can leave building work dormant for weeks at a time but this is when your tact and diplomacy needs to be at it’s best. Remain on good terms with your builder while quietly insisting that a minimum number of hours per week be spent on your job.

* Check out Association of Accredited Certifiers and Master Builders of Australia

For more renovation advice, visit homelife.com.au