Originally Posted by LoneRanger (Post 6228879)

I am fully aware of the licencing regulations in QLD and part of my plan was to buy and renovate property in Australia once I've settled in. Is the licence thing that strict that folk cannot renovate property like they do in the UK ie. carrying out various tasks by themselves / DIY ?

The name of the game in renovation is to keep the costs tight and work to a strict budget and most of us tradesmen have done other things outwith our own trade when doing up our own homes or doing up to sell on at a profit (property developing), surely there is a big DIY market in Australia and not every single task in the home need come under the auspices of the dreaded licence?

Gas and electricity I can fully understand or for that matter anything mechanical but I would be loathe to have to get in contractor's to my own home or projects for things like tiling, painting & decorating, paving and landscaping / gardening as I do all these things for myself at the minute in the good old UK. In saying this I mean absolutely no disrespect to tilers, decorators or groundworkers and in certain circumstances ie if the work was for a client then I would most certainly contract that type of work out depending on the scale of it!

I am trying to get a handle on the scale of the parameters of licencing and the thing about 'changing plugs' whilst understandable, seems a bit harsh and looks like a 'money maker for the sparkies' and a 'cop out for insurance companies'! Safety is paramount and whilst most of us have changed a plug here and there I think the majority know when its time to call in a 'spark' and likewise with other home improvements / projects.

Originally Posted by steve`o (Post 6229805)

licencing has gone more than a little over the top over here, in fact to do what your proposing you`ll need an own home builders permit
any renovations likely to cost in excess of $11k ( they work the cost out as if your using a builder contractor not the real cost ie materials as your labour would be free )
http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/home/consu...rs/default.htm
yes youve read that right you need a permit to work on your own home plus if your not a tradie there`s a course that goes with it in order to get a home builders permit

anyone whos contemplating this should also read
http://www.bsa.qld.gov.au/NR/rdonlyr...rBldrlimit.pdf

Originally Posted by LoneRanger (Post 6230192)

Its like everything else in life, its a money spinner for all ie QLD government, tafe, health and safety etc. Legislation is costing millions every year!

We will soon need a permit to pass wind!:rofl:

Originally Posted by LoneRanger (Post 6230192)

Its like everything else in life, its a money spinner for all ie QLD government, tafe, health and safety etc. Legislation is costing millions every year!

We will soon need a permit to pass wind!:rofl:

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au (Post 6230202)

Mate dont underestimate what Steve has said, and sean for that matter... licensing here is ridiculous.

Any work that requires council permit will also require council inspection, and thus that is where the problem lies.

Originally Posted by cresta57 (Post 6230324)

Yep the licencing keeps at least three govt. departments running. If you could buy shares in red tape you'd be minted;)
Regarding the reno thing, there are tasks that can do i.e you could tile your main floors as a project, or paint your house as another. The licencing problem arises when you charge for work or gut an entire home to reno.

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au (Post 6232734)

John.

As a similarly progressive and hungry for a project kinda guy, similarly skilled perhaps.. I too had aspirations of doing just what you want to.

I really did... and soon as I got here, well mate... bugger it... the system grinds you down, and I just open yellow pages or fone a mate, n say come do this.. end of story.

Regarding renos... sounds good on paper... but I know of no one who does a reno, then sells... they usually, reno n rent.

I wish ya all the luck.

Ste

Originally Posted by LoneRanger (Post 6233950)

Kinda expected that Ste, reno and rent / reno and sell it doesn't really matter to me I was just thinking out aloud!

I can see that the system is problematic and for sanity's sake I would probably just do as you do and phone a mate or yellow pages (less hassle).

The system seems to slow everything up and maybe thats the way they like it in Oz and not like back here where everything needs to be done 2 weeks ago!

Oh well sounds like fun!

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au (Post 6234878)

I think the problems or situ' are fairly complex.

1. the distances to trade outlets etc are ridiculous, its not like theres a Jewsons evey 20k.

2. there seems to be more disposable income here.

3. however. ppl work longer hours, and relish the time they have off to enjoy the aussie outdoors, so they take advantage of item 1 and 2. and get someone in to do it.

4. because of the accountability of ppl, similar to american system, legally, and the certification rigmarole, then you feel better protected getting a so called pro in.

as an example, we charge circa 300-350 labour to install an aircon, thats approx our contracting rate, inc gst. Larger volume builders we charge less, private jobs we charge more. etc etc

But, initially i used to do the uk conversion and think.. i wouldnt get outa bed to do what i do for that ! But thats why, years ago I made the point when you are a Holidayer in Oz, then every quid is worth 2.5 dollars etc... but when you live here its more like every dollar = 1 quid...

Mad i know, and hard to explain and equate, but I am sure others agree.

Whatever ya do, just do it, and you will find the system and you will gel together and you find workarounds and will get what you want doing either by yourself or with the use of other trades.

Ste

Originally Posted by Timber Floor Au (Post 6234878)

I think the problems or situ' are fairly complex.

1. the distances to trade outlets etc are ridiculous, its not like theres a Jewsons evey 20k.

2. there seems to be more disposable income here.

3. however. ppl work longer hours, and relish the time they have off to enjoy the aussie outdoors, so they take advantage of item 1 and 2. and get someone in to do it.

4. because of the accountability of ppl, similar to american system, legally, and the certification rigmarole, then you feel better protected getting a so called pro in.

as an example, we charge circa 300-350 labour to install an aircon, thats approx our contracting rate, inc gst. Larger volume builders we charge less, private jobs we charge more. etc etc

But, initially i used to do the uk conversion and think.. i wouldnt get outa bed to do what i do for that ! But thats why, years ago I made the point when you are a Holidayer in Oz, then every quid is worth 2.5 dollars etc... but when you live here its more like every dollar = 1 quid...

Mad i know, and hard to explain and equate, but I am sure others agree.

Whatever ya do, just do it, and you will find the system and you will gel together and you find workarounds and will get what you want doing either by yourself or with the use of other trades.

Ste

Originally Posted by Stitch (Post 6235072)

Been scrolling through with interest and definately true about the long hours so get someone in etc. Also definately what you get for your UK Pound you get for your Aus Dollar. 1 = 1.

Cheers

Ginny

Originally Posted by steve_kelly_and_boys (Post 6269679)

... i am wondering whether to ship this over...