Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jul 08, 2012 8:18 pm Hi all, Just wondering if anyone out there has had a similar experience to us in terms of keeping people out of our building site. We are building in a relatively built up area with lots of young families, opposite a park. On at least a dozen occasions we have found neighborhood kids playing either inside our house, on the rubbish pile, brickies sand pile or stacks of roof timber. Every time we have seen the kids there, we have always asked that they not play on site as it's dangerous and they shouldn't be there, but we don't seem to be getting through to them. There has also been some mild vandalism ( they filled our meter box with sand and broke some roof timbers on the piles) but our worst fear is that someone will get injured. Any suggestions? VMR Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. —Albert Einstein Re: Keeping kids out of building site 2Jul 08, 2012 8:24 pm How old are the kids? Are we talking young enough that they would only be walking through anopen gate or old enough to actually break into the site? I would be asking the builder to secure the site better or if you find the kids there again tell them the Police are on their way Re: Keeping kids out of building site 3Jul 08, 2012 8:45 pm Most of the kids are under 12, some as young as five! We are at the stage of constructing roof timbers, and I would say the house should be at lock up by October. As concerned parents ourselves , I find it a bit surprising that these kids are out without adult supervision anyway. We have tried the " we'll call the police line" but these kids are fearless! Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere. —Albert Einstein Re: Keeping kids out of building site 4Jul 08, 2012 9:37 pm So basically they are walking onto the block. At that age they wouldnt be smart enough, or strong enough, to pulling the fence apart to get in As i said above, i would be telling your builder to secure the block properly Keeping kids out of building site 6Jul 08, 2012 9:57 pm Unfortunately there's not much you can do as far as 'securing the block properly', when we built our 3 and 7 yr old girls were both able to climb over the fence without help. Re: Keeping kids out of building site 7Jul 08, 2012 10:16 pm Your builder has obligation to secure and keep site secured, if you are the builder then you do. Builder has probably charged you for site security so there is no excuse. There is nothing difficult about securing the site with temporary fencing panels and gates. Put the builder on notice! Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Keeping kids out of building site 9Jul 08, 2012 10:58 pm Absolutely! You mean the standard temp fence right? And I have photos to prove it! My 3 yr old would climb quicker than my 7 yr old... No fear. What I'm trying to say though is that they'll get in if they want to, just like I did as a kid, exploring building sites was one of my fav things to do growing up in a new estate. (Oh and no I'm not saying it's safe or ok, but kids will be kids Re: Keeping kids out of building site 10Jul 08, 2012 11:20 pm It all comes down to liability and protecting yourself. Quite simply serve a notice/letter on your builder that children are accessing your building site and request that the building be better secured due to their entry. Should they fail to deal this you have at least covered your derriere by informing the builder. Settlement 1/2/12 New Shed 23/3/12 Slab poured 27/3/12 Frame complete 4/5/12 Roof complete 1/6/12 LOCKUP 29/6/12 Our new build blog http://kareenhillsownerbuild.blogspot.com/ Re: Keeping kids out of building site 11Jul 09, 2012 8:34 am The only way you will keep the kids out is by putting razor wire around the top and electrifying the chain wire fence, I wouldn't be concerned unless they were causing damage, If they get hurt then they only have there parents to blame for not looking after them. Re: Keeping kids out of building site 12Jul 09, 2012 8:47 am If the builder has secured the site with standard security fencing and has kept security maintained i.e. locked the gate after hrs. then the builder has met his professional obligations and is expected to do no more. The responsibility is then transferred to the parents to supervise and know where the children are and what they are doing. Kids will be kids and being a parent is a responsibility for life, you will look after them even when they grow up and leave home. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Keeping kids out of building site 13Jul 09, 2012 10:01 am The unfortunate truth of it all is that if these kids hurt themselves, even if they have climbed the fence, the builder would still get sued and find himself in court. Seems to be the Aussie way of life these days.... dont blame the parents for allowing their bratty little kids to do what they have, blame the builder for apparently not securing the build site adequately. Its going to get to a point where 24/7 security will be required Appreciate that Chippy. 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