Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 16, 2015 7:17 pm When new regulations are made in australia and in our states who is consulted with, is it with MBA, HIA?, who besides government bodies represents the customer, its looks from the outside that volume builders are over represented, I for one thought that the standard line if it's a standard hia contract would mean its 100 percent the same as government building contracts, but apparently it's not the same, more in favour of the builder. Why isn, t concrete right around the slab mandatory seeming most times this is one of the first areas blamed. Why are there not strong laws on display homes that in reality some are 2-3 times the price , giving consumer distorted opinion of whats really on offer. Opinions please. Re: who should be making regulations. 2Jul 16, 2015 8:46 pm Well if you want to see who is involved in the Victoria the board members of the Victorian Building Authority are at this link http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/about/vba-board. Doesn't seem to be representative who has a real interest in the consumer does there? (As someone who had 2 houses built, runs a website based on providing consumer house building advice, and is a qualified civil engineer, you would think I might have got an interview. . . but ) As far as the display homes that's the same as most thing you buy . . . . go for a test drive if you are thinking of a new car and the demonstrated will usually be fully optioned rather than the base model. Look at new TVs in the shops and most will generally be showing animations which are less likely to show quality issues than live action. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: who should be making regulations. 3Jul 16, 2015 9:41 pm MBA & HIA are builder's Associations. They are not there to represent the consumer yet many think they do. Did you read this link posted by b-e? viewtopic.php?p=1393409#p1393409 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: who should be making regulations. 4Jul 16, 2015 10:27 pm THats my point someone like bash worth should be on representing consumer point of view or building regs will favour interested parties minus consumers. A fully accessorised car is really up front and transparent but display homes are almost never fully transparent, the numerous times salesman says yes your package is as displayed, and consumer gets into argument over what is included, it should be without acception to clearly state as displayed pricing on all ads and brochures, I know Metricon had a display house that as displayed was over $900',000,and house was from 300'000, i think this borders on selling via deception. Too many big vested interest groups whom don't want a bash worth anywhere near regs. Re: who should be making regulations. 5Jul 16, 2015 10:54 pm Sadly I think many areas are overrepresented by parties that are in line to make a killing. Not just in building. These bodies and individuals have vast wealth behind them to lobby the type of support that makes them more money. The same is not true for consumers. The best we get is passionate individuals who sometimes get loud enough to be heard. Money talks. Creator of superduperonium, expert at expert things, nobel laureate, can hold my breath for 10 minutes. Re: who should be making regulations. 6Jul 17, 2015 1:57 pm Fully agree ponzu, you just have to look at those two houses hanging off a man made cliff, regulations either not followed or not good enough, , should have been ready to erect retaining wall immediately as lots of rain spells trouble with open cuts. And I see lack of compulsory concrete right around slabs as favoring builders as its their first reason for blaming slab troubles . This would speed up many arguments as would eliminate home owner is at fault because they watered their garden. Re: who should be making regulations. 7Jul 20, 2015 1:03 pm What Joker is asking goes much deeper than just the Building industry. It goes to the very core of humanity - why is the world in so much strife? A: Vested interests, greed, people coveting what they have through maintaining the status quo no matter how unethical it is. And lets not just forget plain old laziness, which is another form of corruption that brings us all undone. Re: who should be making regulations. 8Jul 20, 2015 2:08 pm Its horendous to think builders out there intentionally give you misleading info on concrete fall around slabs to have a get out of jail card. We urgently need mandatory slab protection laws that have to be done before occupancy certificate and we should go towards a biger fall over first metre of minimum 30mm but even 50-60mm to cover most situations. Re: who should be making regulations. 9Jul 21, 2015 5:58 pm Joker .....and we should go towards a biger fall over first metre of minimum 30mm but even 50-60mm to cover most situations. The minimum fall is 50mm (1:20) over the first metre unless it is a low ARI area. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. If you don't want to annoy the neighbours then simply get yourself some good head phones. For me the sound is much better using headphones. The NCC (National Construction… 1 26168 You need to reference the manufactures installation guide, your supplier may have strengthened the base where it is not required to sit on a bed. 1 1825 i imagine you also have another contract with an architect? and yeah, whatever other's said about special conditions and appendices 16 16009 |