Stuart started by telling us about his involvement with the Building Appeals Board (From their website)

The BAB hears appeals and disputes in relation to building control matters and can waive, modify or vary the provisions of particular regulations based upon the particular case.  Furthermore, the BAB can determine that a particular design or element of a building complies with the Act and Building Regulations.  There are a number of circumstances in which the BAB may be of assistance to you.

            Appeals and disputes are generally determined within four weeks of an application. The majority of determinations of modification and referral applications are generally made within two weeks of an application.

    The BAB may begin to hear or otherwise deal with an appeal heard within 48 hours of application for an additional fee if the BAB agrees to the request.  This is commonly referred to as a “fast track appeal”.

Stuart also spoke about the company’s work doing costings for the Commonwealth bank. The bank requires costings to make sure that it marries with the loan provided. The costings are calculated using “Cordells” figures times the square metres.

Stuart said that to get a certificate of Occupancy a Plumbing certificate is required. Other certificates – Electrical, tanking, insulation, fighting, termite may also be requested, but not mandatory.

Stuart spoke about new regulations that relate to people with disabilities. For example, the requirement to provide a lift, if the second level is greater than 200 square metres, and the requirement to provide a disabled toilet if one has not previously been provided.

We also talked about new lighting regulations that came in to force in May requiring no more than 5 watts per square metre.

Products that are imported (like foam cladding) that may not meet regulations even though they have been stamped.

It was an excellent night, even though there were only 4 people in attendance.

Thanks to Stuart for his attendance and David S. for organising it.

• I went to visit a HIA member on Sunday morning. Tragic circumstances, husband passed about 8 weeks ago. Everyone has suggested and advised her to sell up and move on. I’ve helped her to formulate a plan and strategy for her to follow through with her and her husband development dreams. I’m assisting her son who is a carpenter with obtaining his license and registration in the short term and her own in the medium term. The second time this year the ’succession plan’ issue has presented itself as a result of a untimely death and also several occasions where ‘dad’ has had a scare and needs to put a contingency in place now. Planning ahead is just good business and common sense.

Some services HIA may be able to help with:

• OHS management plans and inductions ,roles & responsibilities of principals and sub contractors
• Insurances especially public & product liability …..” Can’t afford it “…….. ‘ the reality is you cannot afford, to not have it’ ! HIA provide payment options and alternatives to assist its members in this regard.
• Legal advice and direction
• Technical Advice
• You’re getting sued
• Someone owes you money
• Affinity programs
• Planning for the long term

HIA Apprentices Management- Chris Fortune

Every day HIA members across Australia are looking at how they can grow their businesses without facing the risks that often come when hiring new and untested employees.

HIA Apprentices understands the importance of establishing a business on solid foundations and for more than 20 years we have provided solutions that make real sense to the building industry across Australia.

Today more than 800 Host Trainers recognise that simplicity and professional service is the number one reason they choose HIA Apprentices, the best in the business, for finding the right apprentice for their needs. If you would like to read about builders enjoying the benefits of hiring an HIA Apprentices read more at Builder Case Studies.

At HIA Apprentices it is not just about numbers.

HIA Apprentices believes the most important requirement is to find the right person for your business and then to make sure you are not tied down by red tape and additional administration.

Apprentices will add value to your business as they build their skills and knowledge through training. They develop into valued workmates who you can trust to get on with the job while you attend to other projects. Soon they will be adding to your productivity and most importantly, making you money. To find out more about how they add value for our Host Trainers visit our Host Benefits Page.

If you want to know more about the benefits of employing an apprentice, how you can take part in HIA’s apprenticeship program as a host employer and just about everything else you need to know about how an apprentice can benefit your business, contact Chris Fortune HIA Apprentices Manager – Victoria on 0418-314-743

THURSDAY JUNE 30TH

How do most builders do their quotes? Get home after a full day, have dinner and then spend a few hours starting on the quote. Same again the next night, and you may be finished…

Not for everyone. On Thursday night Eddy brought along quotes that he has had done recently. He has used a professional estimator for the last 20 years. They take the drawings and specs and give you back a detailed list of everything required to complete the job. “Everything” is included. Eddy said he always has a good look at the quote that is prepared and often makes some adjustments.

Eddy said that he gets about 3 out 5 quotes that he does, the quotes that he misses on cost him, but the quotes that he wins nit, as the cost of the quoting is in the estimates. The cost of quotes is about .015% of the value of the job.

Graham had a story to tell too. He was going away for a month and was asked to tender for a big job. No time to quote so got Perse to do the quote and the job was his when he got back from leave. How good is that. See details:

Perce Licen

VPL Builders Services

BH. 9558 3033

Mob. 0419 208 112

Rob and Sam presented ‘10 Steps On How To Turn Your Business From a Job Into An Investment’, we were given tools to implement in our day to day business and so much food for thought that we really felt we’d sat down with them for an  in-depth one on one advisory session!

From the importance of ‘Knowing our numbers’ to the need to learn strategies to improve customer conversion and from working out if our business models were the right fit for our businesses  to realising that as a business owner ‘we can’t do it all!’. Sam and Rob took us on a  journey; they covered  key topic areas such as Focus, Profit, Cash, Team, Systems, Strategy and Growth. ‘A well presented, professional, interesting presentation’ Carmel Cook, Banyule Master Builders.

We all took something away from the evening and we thank Sam and Rob for giving us such useful information in such a short amount of time! I suggest you all take a look at their website – they have proved to me that they are not ‘just accountants!’

We had 2 suppliers speak to us about their products.

Firstly from Bostik Gary spoke about 3 of their products:

And from James Hardie products Alec spoke about Scyon products.

Scyon is a differentiated product in the market place and provides architectural looking products to achieve a range of different looks and caters for all building types and designs. The Scyon range includes external claddings through to flooring solutions and provides peace of mind, as well as reducing the labour component on site, therefore reducing the overall ‘On the Wall’ cost. The Scyon technology differentiates itself in the market place by providing thicker products and allowing a wider range of profiles and looks, as well as only needing two trades to supply and install (Builder/Carpenter and Painter).

Thanks to Gary and Alec for excellent presentations.

Dianna from Reno Reclaimers spoke to us about the service that she offers. Her business is to turn parts of “demo’s” into cash. Dianna will come to site, assess and photograph the items and then sell them on the web charging you 20% fees and sharing the profit with you. Do you have windows stored in your shed? Turn them into cash!

Contact Diana: 0434-027-144 9 Amy’s Grove, Donvale, 3111

www.renoreclaimers.com.au

We also had James and Leon from WHK accountants to speak to us about the different structures that are possible for businesses and the pros and cons on each. It was a good night.

Phil Dwyer spoke to us about concerns that he has had with the industry in relation to builders insurance.

For the past 10 years we as small business builders have faced uncertainty and upheaval many times as private insurers jockey for position at our expense and they only give us annual tenure in our profession, make us underwrite the policies they receive the premiums for and remove our ability to plan, grow and employ. This circumstance does not exist in any other profession in the western world and is an affront to democracy as we know it.

So why do these circumstances exist? Mainly because our self proclaimed peak body who has had the ear of Governments and has been able to maintain the status quo on the basis that they are representing our views.

HIA and MBA do not represent our views as this scheme was set up as a business model for and on behalf of HIA and Royal & SunAlliance by their own admissions (Please request the Rehame transcript for clarity) as insurance commissions alone represent the majority of the trade association’s income.

The points discussed at the gathering were:

• · The legality of the insurance/management regime
• · Builders businesses turnover being capped
• · Size of project being capped
• · Length of time for assessment
• · Cost of premiums
• · The value of trade association membership
• · Alternate insurance to the Government/QBE insurance

The outcomes of the discussions:

• · 100% of the builders in attendance pledged support for the class action and financial support of the BCA
• · Total rejection of the current circumstances
• · Trade Association membership being questioned with many not renewing
• · Many builders asked for the details of the alternate insurer and these details will be provided in a second email