Victorians planning to build or renovate a home now have a handy addition to their tool kits.
The Victorian Government has launched a new online domestic building tool, which streamlines access to building and renovating information to help people make informed decisions, understand their legal rights and obligations, and resolve issues such as defects or delays.
Users will answer questions about their building needs, which the tool will use to direct them to appropriate information on the Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV), Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) websites.
Topics include builder registration, contracts, insurance, plans and permits, information for owner-builders and advice on resolving problems.
“Building a home or doing a renovation is likely to be one of the biggest projects you’ll ever embark on, and it is essential to be well informed,” Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Simon Cohen said.
“Whether you’re not sure where to begin or you’ve hit a hurdle along the way, the building tool will make it easier and more straightforward to find all the information you need.”
VBA CEO Prue Digby said the tool would help people find a wealth of information available across the three websites.
“The VBA, CAV and VMIA worked closely to create the new online tool which will help consumers navigate insurance, dispute resolution and the regulatory framework,” she said.
“Consumers must have access to the information they need to give them confidence in their building projects.”
The online tool is part of a drive by the Victorian Government to make the building process easier to understand.
Under new requirements introduced in September, builders must provide consumers with a building information guide before they sign a major domestic building contract. The guide contains clear information for consumers about their rights and what to do if things go wrong.
In addition, a new independent body, Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV), is set to be launched next year.
DBDRV will be charged with conducting compulsory dispute resolution before a matter can be taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal or the courts, and will have the power to make binding orders compelling builders to fix or finish work, or for consumers to pay for a builder’s services.
The building tool is available on the Consumer Affairs page here
Please note that this post has been republished from a media release posted by the Consumer Affairs Department on the 24th of October 2016, here