Browse Forums Owner Builder Forum 1 Jul 27, 2013 9:13 pm Hi Guys, New member. About to put up my first project, a timber and weatherboard garage. Getting some confusing information coming from my surveyor vs. the tradesmen I have been meeting for quotes. Perhaps someone with more experience can set me straight. The surveyor says (referrring to the Owner Builder regulations) that any contractor I use where the contract value is in excess of $5000, I have to use someone who is registered with the Builders Practitioners Board. Fair enough. However, after speaking to nearly a dozen concreters with reference to laying the garage slab (5m x 10m), none of them is registered with the BPB and they all give me a funny look when I ask. And these are established businesses that have been doing both commercial and residential work for years. Even the Building Commission website says nothing about concreters! Am I missing something here or has somebody got it wrong? Don't want to get in any trouble here on my first job but would appreciate some guidance. Regards, Hoggy (VIC). Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 2Jul 27, 2013 11:19 pm Ask your building surveyor again what exactly what certificates you need. I would say it's only required for roof plumbing and stormwater. You're entitled to build the structure and concrete yourself. Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 3Jul 28, 2013 12:45 pm The issue is that most small concrete contractors for things like concrete house slabs are sub-contractors working under the main builders registration. In a lot of cases they are even labour only suppliers to the concteter sub-contractor. If you want to get a Building practioner you wil need to go to one of these main subcontrators. 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: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 4Aug 02, 2013 12:11 pm Thanks for the input guys. I have put in a written request for clarification of the regulations at the Building Commission a few days ago but so far they have not replied. The surveyor though is adamant that only registered tradesmen can be used for jobs over $5000, and they are the ones who issue the final certificate. Only the concreting is giving me a headache, other work I can do myself or the costs will be under $5k. Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 5Aug 02, 2013 2:35 pm Hi Bashworth As I understand it, contractors such as Carpenters, Plumbers/Roofers, plasterers need to be registered to conduct & undertake works $5k or greater. Your surveyor is probably right. Let us know the outcomes. Patrick Boucher Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 6Oct 13, 2013 9:35 pm I just went on an owner builder course, and was certainly confused by the role the building surveyor plays, and what is required for a building permit. Do all subcontractors need to be listed on the building permit, and be registered? The problem is that many (if not most?) subcontractors are not registered. Anyway, check out the consumer website for more info - they "recommend" entering into a major domestic contract for jobs over $5k and "recommend" to use a registered tradesperson: http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing- ... r-builders Perhaps the forum member <building-expert> can clarify this? He seems pretty knowledgeable on this subject - I think he's a building surveyor! Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 7Oct 14, 2013 9:45 am You Building surveyor is correct and teaching you by the book. But hey who follows rules in the building regulations anyway. When I did my owner builder project a few years ago I looked on the building commission website and did a search for concreters who were registered. There were only 2 in the western subs. It’s not something that is enforced as essentially you are taking on all the risk anyway. The building industry does go out of its way to protect there industry and try to slow down and stop people from doing owner builder. Re: Use of Registered Building Practitioners in Victoria 8Oct 14, 2013 1:48 pm B STAR But hey who follows rules in the building regulations anyway. B STAR The building industry does go out of its way to protect there industry and try to slow down and stop people from doing owner builder. Careful. You'll upset some people here saying stuff like that - never mind that it is true. For reference, this is the Austlii reference. 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