Topic: Good builder beaten by bad laws

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22/01/2023 at 8:08 am #67202 Reply | Quote
Good Builder
Flatchatter
I’m a remedial builder specialising in small apartment blocks.

The new building practitioner laws have destroyed my business overnight. I have a number of buildings I have worked on and continue to work on for years.

The body corporates are so happy having me and my company.

I know no one involved in the new law creation would be concerned about me, that’s life so be it.

However the owners of the buildings I work on do.

Typically I get called to a building with multiple issues. Usually other contractors (most often bigger companies) have done sub par work and the owners just can’t seem to get anywhere.

I come in, do a lot of investigation and prepare a scope of works and cost to fix.

We often prioritise the works to avoid or at least reduce the amount of special levies.

The owners are always so relieved once they get to know me and I become their go to person.

Once I have worked for them they never go elsewhere.

Most are blocks of 4-5 stories or less and up to about 25 apartments.

Because I do waterproofing as well I can’t do this anymore.

We will have to get an engineer or architect (who generally do not have anywhere my knowledge) to certify my solutions.

One I doubt anyone will be interested in doing this and second it just adds more to the cost for the owners.

I am a licensed builder and a licensed waterproofing technician with 40+ years experience.

Just the sort of person these poor owners need.

I’m thinking you may be interested in this unintended consequence if the new laws.

From the unit owners perspective, I have the joy of informing the owners of 4 current projects I can’t work for them under the new system.

3 of those I have done multiple projects on their buildings over the last 4-5 years.

I also have to tell the owners of two other projects I can’t provide a report and costs on how to fix their buildings.

I believe I’m in the top 5-10% of contractors in Sydney in regards to skill levels.

I will either half to let all this work go and do other stuff (for example poorly built luxury houses) or just retire as I’m 60 and getting over it.

Neither are good for home unit owners.
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Reply To: Good builder beaten by bad laws

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