This is a story about a pretty simple structure that you would think is Here’s a story that I think many can benefit from.

One of our members recently took on a very big renovation project that had the rest of us crossing our fingers and toes – not a project any others of us would have taken on.

Amongst other things, there was an old derelict deck that needed to be replaced. Along comes the builder and replaces the deck. Now we’ve visited the site many times during the renovation phase, and one of our members, who happens to also be a builder is rather concerned about the on-site builder and what he’s doing, so he questions a couple of things.

The on-site builder takes a bit of exception to this. He also turns out to be a little unreliable!

The project moves along, and the next time we’re there, another member, who is also a builder notices that the piles for the deck are not up to code and mentions this to our member whose project this is.

She approaches the builder to query whats been done.

The builder is not happy and tells the member to get her facts straight.

So how does one do this? When you engage the services of a trades person, by law you have rights, the most basic of these is that work is done in a workman like manner and is fit for purpose.

The thing is, just because someone has a qualification, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get the job done properly.

Learnings and suggestions:

1. Check the qualifications of the person doing the work (in this case the builder). And while you’re at it, check insurances and health and safety practices as well.
2. Have they got a good reputation and have you seen their work and spoken to people who have engaged them previously?
3. Listen to trusted people around you – maybe you think they are being negative, or perhaps where there is smoke there is fire!
4. Don’t be fooled by a CV that’s less than what you’re buying the property for – that does not equal instant equity.
5. Know your rights under consumer guarantees legislation.
6. Property renovating is a business so get a little bit skilled up on the building code so you can at least query things and have some knowledge behind you.
7. Don’t take shortcuts – if in doubt at least make a call to your local council and speak to someone in consents.