Hi All,
I my previous topic I mentioned that I am adding a bedroom out of kitchen (and moving kitchen) in a 2-bed unit.
To avoid delays and hassles with city council I decided not to do any external chnages (The plan was to swap windows of different size around).
So, no extermal changes, no need for planning permit. No removing of load bearing walls – no building permit.
However, I will be building a wall and cut a door through a existing wall to this new room. A carpenter does this.
The question is – the guy that I will be employing – does he need to have some special qualification/licence/registration etc? Does he need to be a mamber of any bulding or whatever societies? There will be a plumbing and electical work – those people – do they have to be fully qualified?
Sorry for stupid questions, it’s all too confusing. What should I look for in my potential contractor?Hi Leoau
Any contractors need to be licenced and have public liability insurance. Also, depending on the cost of the work being carried out, they might need to give you a works contract stating what they will be doing and the cost. From the sounds of it you probably won’t be spending that much, but if in doubt contact the Dept of Fair Trading.
It’s very important that you use licenced and insured tradesmen otherwise you have no recourse if there is a problem with the work, or someone is injured.
Good luck
WakeDon’t know about chippies but electricians and plumbers definitely need to be licenced.
Depending on the length and height, non-load bearing walls are pretty simple. As for your door opening, I seem to recall from your previous post that it is load bearing. This is where you need to be careful. Not hard to do but you need to follow the right process.
Thanks for replies guys.
… As for your door opening, I seem to recall from your previous post that it is load bearing. This is where you need to be careful. Not hard to do but you need to follow the right process.Yes it is a load bearing one, but it’s not going to be a problem.
When you say ‘to follow the right process’ – do you mean exactly what? I am not removing it, just create an opening through there.
How do I check that the guy is licenced/insured etc? Should the have like a reg number or licence number? What do I look for on their letterheads, apart from ANN/ABN numbers.
ANy help will be greatly appreciated.By process I mean you cant simply take to the wall with a slegehammer. You need to make sure that taking out part of the wall isn’t going to compromise the structural integrity of the wall and roof. If its a standard door size in timber its really not hard at all, if wider than a standard door or masonry it gets a bit more involved. May need to prop and put in a lintel.
The safest would be to try and get a builder to do the wall and door opening. A lot of builders come from Carpentry background so should be able to do it themselves. Not trying to sound like a doomsayer but you do need to CYA. If it was me, I would do it myself aside from the electrical and plumbing.
As for licences, not sure legally but usually is indicated on their stationary such as letterheadsd and business cards. Seem to recall many have it noted in their yellow pages ads as well. You can also just ask for their licence number when you talk to them.
CYA
Cover your ….
Originally posted by leoau:So, no extermal changes, no need for planning permit. No removing of load bearing walls – no building permit.
…still depends on the location and total cost of the reno… under $5k you should be fine though.
F.[cowboy2]
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