DIY home improvements - allowed?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 150
DIY home improvements - allowed?
Are there any restrictions to carrying out diy property improvements in Australia like minor building, plumbing or electrical work? Like in the UK from January restrictions on electrical work?
Cheers
Cheers
#2
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by jumbo
Are there any restrictions to carrying out diy property improvements in Australia like minor building, plumbing or electrical work? Like in the UK from January restrictions on electrical work?
Cheers
Cheers
Not sure on all the rules but if you aren't allowed to change a plug I should think there are many other day to day things you cannot do.
Strange though that you can still buy plugs so I thought that it might be a myth but I asked the guy in the shop and he assured me that it is correct.
Kala
#3
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by jumbo
Are there any restrictions to carrying out diy property improvements in Australia like minor building, plumbing or electrical work? Like in the UK from January restrictions on electrical work?
Cheers
Cheers
I'm a plumber so if work as registered all my work has to be supervised. Does this mean i can't do unsupervised plumbing in my own house?
#4
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by fraser
I'm a plumber so if work as registered all my work has to be supervised. Does this mean i can't do unsupervised plumbing in my own house?
He is unable to officially test his own home circuit or appliances.
#5
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 582
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Regarding changing plugs there is practically no information out there I could find apart from this booklet from the WA energysafety website:
http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au/en...ords_plugs.pdf
If you look down the right side of page 2 it says plugs can be replaced. This may or may not be true for other states but there is no clear information on any of their websites.
I do know from the regulations which I think were introduced in 2002 that it is illegal for a householder to do any electrical work on their property, by which they include loosening sockets/light switches to decorate.
Regarding the comment above about an electrcian not being able to test his own wiring, this is true as he would need an Electrical Inspector's Licence which involves more exams and fees.
As far as I know, any plumbing work here at all must be carried out by a licensed plumber (and all plumbers need to have gas certification I believe)
http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au/en...ords_plugs.pdf
If you look down the right side of page 2 it says plugs can be replaced. This may or may not be true for other states but there is no clear information on any of their websites.
I do know from the regulations which I think were introduced in 2002 that it is illegal for a householder to do any electrical work on their property, by which they include loosening sockets/light switches to decorate.
Regarding the comment above about an electrcian not being able to test his own wiring, this is true as he would need an Electrical Inspector's Licence which involves more exams and fees.
As far as I know, any plumbing work here at all must be carried out by a licensed plumber (and all plumbers need to have gas certification I believe)
#6
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 150
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by Flying Banana
Regarding changing plugs there is practically no information out there I could find apart from this booklet from the WA energysafety website:
http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au/en...ords_plugs.pdf
If you look down the right side of page 2 it says plugs can be replaced. This may or may not be true for other states but there is no clear information on any of their websites.
I do know from the regulations which I think were introduced in 2002 that it is illegal for a householder to do any electrical work on their property, by which they include loosening sockets/light switches to decorate.
Regarding the comment above about an electrcian not being able to test his own wiring, this is true as he would need an Electrical Inspector's Licence which involves more exams and fees.
As far as I know, any plumbing work here at all must be carried out by a licensed plumber (and all plumbers need to have gas certification I believe)
http://www.energysafety.wa.gov.au/en...ords_plugs.pdf
If you look down the right side of page 2 it says plugs can be replaced. This may or may not be true for other states but there is no clear information on any of their websites.
I do know from the regulations which I think were introduced in 2002 that it is illegal for a householder to do any electrical work on their property, by which they include loosening sockets/light switches to decorate.
Regarding the comment above about an electrcian not being able to test his own wiring, this is true as he would need an Electrical Inspector's Licence which involves more exams and fees.
As far as I know, any plumbing work here at all must be carried out by a licensed plumber (and all plumbers need to have gas certification I believe)
Thanks
#7
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by jumbo
Do you, or anyone else, have any references to which regulations might apply?
Thanks
Thanks
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261775
#8
Banned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 55
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by jumbo
Are there any restrictions to carrying out diy property improvements in Australia like minor building, plumbing or electrical work? Like in the UK from January restrictions on electrical work?
Cheers
Cheers
#9
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,787
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by Ozbound7
Surely no one could stop you - or would even know?
#10
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
planning permission will be needed for pretty much anything... my parents needed planning permission from the council to change an existing verandah into an enclosed room. Self-builders will need a licence with their local council too. A great many things are restricted/controlled/licenced to reduce the number of cowboys out there doing stupid things to houses....
I remember seeing a programme here recently, DIY disasters or something? BBC2 it might have been, and someone had done their own 'loft conversion' and had removed the cross-braces for the roof!!! House ended up being condemed!! :scared:
I remember seeing a programme here recently, DIY disasters or something? BBC2 it might have been, and someone had done their own 'loft conversion' and had removed the cross-braces for the roof!!! House ended up being condemed!! :scared:
#11
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 582
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by jumbo
Do you, or anyone else, have any references to which regulations might apply?
Thanks
Thanks
Originally Posted by Ozbound7
Surely no one could stop you - or would even know?
I wouldn't be so worried about insurance companies although yes they will wriggle out of anything given a chance.
To give you an idea of how much you'd get fined take a look at the Victorian list of recent prosecutions, most of these will be tradespeople carrying out unauthorised work but if you get collared you will be classed the same 'Unlicensed Person Carrying out electrical work' and the fines average $1500.
Schedule of penalties in QLD here: http://www.eso.qld.gov.au/legislation/facts/act2002.htm
I agree it sucks and in 99% of times you would get away with it but is it worth risking a fine and criminal record just to save some money on a few bits of DIY
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Perth, Since Jan 05
Posts: 708
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by JayDeee
Put it this way, you are not actually allowed to change a plug (electrical type as in on a hairdryer) by yourself.
Not sure on all the rules but if you aren't allowed to change a plug I should think there are many other day to day things you cannot do.
Strange though that you can still buy plugs so I thought that it might be a myth but I asked the guy in the shop and he assured me that it is correct.
Kala
Not sure on all the rules but if you aren't allowed to change a plug I should think there are many other day to day things you cannot do.
Strange though that you can still buy plugs so I thought that it might be a myth but I asked the guy in the shop and he assured me that it is correct.
Kala
How can anyone prove if you have changed your own plug? I can hardly see you being taken to court because you have lost your electricians receipt for plug changing.
Likewise, plumbing (assuming you know what you are doing), who will ever know whether it was a DIY or tradie? I got a mate of mine to plumb in a fridge for me (he is an IT manager), but we never had a leak or any problems, so how would anyone know?
Lets face it there are rules and regs everywhere (both in OZ and UK) but people circumvent them every day.
In the UK you are not allowed to fit windows unless you are fensa registered. I bought 3 windows from Wicks before I sold my house, fitted them without problem. Not picked up on full survey, not mentioned on contract.
Too easy!!
What I am trying to say is that if you know what you are doing dont worry about the rules and regs - no-one can prove it. If you dont know what you are doing then as in the UK, dont risk it!!
#13
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by darkless
How can anyone prove if you have changed your own plug? I can hardly see you being taken to court because you have lost your electricians receipt for plug changing
If anyone else had actually paid for any U.K item to have the plug changed they would know the answer to that When you pay a sparky he has to do a compliance test and then tags the equipment[QLD]. It's then traceable back to him via his tag number. If you cannot show who you used or the number on the tag you could get caught out.
Originally Posted by darkless
Likewise, plumbing (assuming you know what you are doing), who will ever know whether it was a DIY or tradie? I got a mate of mine to plumb in a fridge for me (he is an IT manager), but we never had a leak or any problems, so how would anyone know?
When your home is built it has a set of drawings/plans, any extra plumbing would show and would require a licensed plumbers bill as proof a competent job had been done. Check out the problems some people have had buying or selling homes where DIY had been done and picked up on a survey. Dotty was one poster I remember as having had trouble.
Originally Posted by darkless
Lets face it there are rules and regs everywhere (both in OZ and UK) but people circumvent them every day.
In the UK you are not allowed to fit windows unless you are fensa registered. I bought 3 windows from Wicks before I sold my house, fitted them without problem. Not picked up on full survey, not mentioned on contract.
Too easy!!
What I am trying to say is that if you know what you are doing dont worry about the rules and regs - no-one can prove it. If you dont know what you are doing then as in the UK, dont risk it!!
In the UK you are not allowed to fit windows unless you are fensa registered. I bought 3 windows from Wicks before I sold my house, fitted them without problem. Not picked up on full survey, not mentioned on contract.
Too easy!!
What I am trying to say is that if you know what you are doing dont worry about the rules and regs - no-one can prove it. If you dont know what you are doing then as in the UK, dont risk it!!
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Perth, Since Jan 05
Posts: 708
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Originally Posted by cresta57
.
When your home is built it has a set of drawings/plans, any extra plumbing would show and would require a licensed plumbers bill as proof a competent job had been done. Check out the problems some people have had buying or selling homes where DIY had been done and picked up on a survey. Dotty was one poster I remember as having had trouble.
When your home is built it has a set of drawings/plans, any extra plumbing would show and would require a licensed plumbers bill as proof a competent job had been done. Check out the problems some people have had buying or selling homes where DIY had been done and picked up on a survey. Dotty was one poster I remember as having had trouble.
In my case, should the plumbing to the fridge cause me any problems, I would simply take it out.
The other thing I notice about Perth is that it is only really the Brits who ever have survey on the houses done. Perhaps that is only the case on newer properties, but still, it doesnt seem to be like the UK where you wouldnt even consider buying a house without a survey.
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,576
Re: DIY home improvements - allowed?
Last year their was a program on TV about renovating 4 flats in Bondi that 4 couples competed against each other to do the best job got the flat for free. These people were doing building work, plumbing and electrical work with no quals (as far as I know).
At the end they had the properties inspected and the list of defects was enormous. They still then went ahead and auctioned these properties and got buyers for them all.
My point is If they can get away with this on National TV why should you need to worry about a bit of work on your own home.
At the end they had the properties inspected and the list of defects was enormous. They still then went ahead and auctioned these properties and got buyers for them all.
My point is If they can get away with this on National TV why should you need to worry about a bit of work on your own home.