FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
If i start the course online and do some of the course can i log back on and start off where i
finished.
The system is set up to allow you to go in and out as often as you require.
Our Learning Management System stores your work, including during the owner builder final assessments.
How long does the course take to complete on line by staying on line from start to finish.
Depends entirely on your commitment, background and personal experience. The nominal course duration is 24 hours for Queensland Owner Builder Course and 50 to 60 hours for the 5 Units of Competency required to satisfy the NSW Owner Builder course. These times include study and assessment time.
Most people allow a weekend or two to get through the QLD course content and complete the assessments/assignments. For NSW we normally tell people to allow at least one week to get through the course and assessments.
Do I need the safety induction card?
You can obtain an owner builder permit for Queensland without the White Card (General Safety Induction Training) however, we believe that as an owner builder and hence the Principal Contractor, the legislation requires you to hold a White Card. For NSW, the Department of Fair Trading require the Owner Builder Permit applicant to hold a White Card or proof of General Safety Induction Training
Once I pay for it on line can how long before I can start the course?
Normally immediately, but within a few hours if manual enrolment is required.
If I need support, is correspondence by email only.
It is our preferred method of answering questions for two reasons:
1) We do not tie up human resources for unnecessarily long periods of time. This allows us to remain efficient and continue to offer our courses at a price point which represents great value to the owner builder and allows us to continue to refine our services and offerings.
2) Often, as for this email, we can use the responses to include in our frequently asked questions so all student have the opportunity to benefit from the responses given by Abacus Staff
Can Owner Builders borrow money to finance their projects?
Yes they can, however it is more difficult generally than if you were to engage a builder and enter into a contract.
Our best advice is be organised, have a reasonable deposit to get you underway, present a sound "business plan" to your lender to demonstrate your ability to run the project. Obviously proof of having completed a genuine accredited course in Owner Building will help.
What are the most common mistakes an owner builder makes?
Believe it or not, there are not that many, but the greatest mistake we see is a lack of understanding of what it takes to control project finances. Many owner builders are not equipped to handle large volumes of money and struggle in the area of cash flow management. A failure to ensure the project can be resourced and funded in an appropriate manner leads to delays, conflicts with suppliers and contractors plus places enormous stress on the owner builder. To get around this, always ensure you understand the requirements of project finance and use the strategies and tools provided to all of owner builder students.
I want to build a duplex, is that allowed?
Generally the answer is no, however some state and territories allow you to build a duplex.
The original idea for an owner builder was to build a house that they intended to live in for at least 5 years, again this was state or territory dependent. As we move towards a more community focused lifestyle, and the shortage of aged care, these restrictions can often be waived if an owner builder can demonstrate a good reason to allow such a development. Granny flats etc are a classic example of where the restrictions have been lifted. Owner Builders need to check their individual state authority for the latest provisions of the legislation and any exemptions that may be granted.
How often can I have an owner builder permit?
NSW Owner Builders may only apply for and be granted one owner builder permit in any 5 year period.
For QLD Owner Builders, the restriction is 6 years.
In both cases, this restriction may be waived in exceptional circumstances.
Can an owner builder prepare their own construction drawings?
The answer is yes, an owner builder is treated the same as a registered or licensed builder and the legislation allows for them to prepare drawings for projects they are going to build. Therefore, an owner builder may produce their own working and construction drawings.
We would strongly discourage this unless it is a very simple project with basic design elements and structure. Owner Builders should focus on the management and coordination of their project and leave specific works to the professional. Drawings that are inaccurate, incomplete or lacking in detail will always lead to overruns, variations, cost blow outs and delays. Owner Builders should employ the services of a qualified Building Designer or and Architect for more complex projects.
Why are there so many restrictions on Owner Builders?
By definition, owner builders are not in the business of building!
This definition provides part of the answer. It is important that as an industry, we protect those registered and licensed builders who have invested substantial resources, (time and money) to learn their craft and establish a business. It is difficult to enough, to regulate the industry, without giving owner builders free reign.
The restrictions and regulations are about preventing unauthorised works and helps to protect the trade contractors who complete the various scopes of work required or requested by owner builders and their projects.
Are owner builders subject to the same contract requirements as a registered builder?
Yes, owner builders have the same legislative obligations as a registered builder when it comes to entering contracts between themselves and their subcontractors. Each state and territory will have specific legislation in respect to contracts for domestic construction works. Owner builders can (and we advise they do), access the standard form contracts that are available to cover the types of works that an owner builder may typically complete.
Some states require a contract to be entered into and be in written form where works (including labour and materials exceed a given amount. This is typically set at around the $5000.00 mark, but some states are as low as $1000.00 Owner Builders need to check the current legislation in respect to contracts in the local region (state or territory).
What is Home Warranty Insurance and how does it affect Owner Builders?
This is possibly the most frequently asked owner builder question and one of the most difficult to answer fully.
Basically, each state and territory has its own relevant legislation in respect to owner builders and you must visit the relevant website to check on specific obligations and requirements. We do cover this in the NSW and QLD Owner Builder Courses in the Abacus prepared study or learner guides.
Home Warranty insurance is a consumer protection insurance that 'warrants' the house in respect to poor quality workmanship or materials.
The cover is normally effected for a specified period to cover defects and the subsequent repair costs in the event the builder goes out of business or disappears.
When it comes to owner builders, some states only recognise works completed by a registered builder. In this instance we always advise our owner builder students to ensure their contracts with individual suppliers and trades persons are well written and cover warranty and defect periods. Most licensed contractors have a requirement to pay insurance to cover the works they do where a specified amount is reached. Again, we can only stress that you check the requirements and expectations in your state.
Be AWARE, where Home Warranty Insurance is not carried, the Owner Builder will be responsible for covering the affected works for the period stated in the relevant legislation.
A good place to start is to refer to your Owner Builder Learner Guides - Owner Builder Insurance
Why does your Owner Builder Course take a lot longer than the times quoted by other providers?
It is a good question and easy to answer.
The only way to satisfy the legislated requirements for education to be eligible for an owner builder permit or license is to undergo the appropriate nationally accredited course.
For QLD, this is the QBCC accredited course 39291QLD Course in Owner Builder Compliance, it consists of one Unit of Competency and has a learning volume specified at 24 hours. This course has been specifically written and tailored to address the requirements of skills and knowledge for Owner Builders.
NSW Department of Fair Trading, requires the completion of 5 Units of Competency from the CPC08 Plumbing and Construction Training Package.
These units will take you around 50 to 60 hours to complete. They are more generic, however Abacus Training has contextualised the units to meet the needs of our owner builder course students. We also provide a considerable volume of resource specifically written for owner builders.
So when a provider tells you they can get you through your owner builder educational requirements in 3 hours (yes, three hours, we see this constantly on the Google Search Engine results), you should ask yourself, "How could I possibly get the knowledge and skills required to build my house as an owner builder in three hours?"
We take pride in providing a true course that allows our students to build and develop genuine skills and knowledge that will make the owner builder experience as good as it can be,
Do I need to consider insurance?
Insurance requirements vary from state to state (see the state specific page on this website) and you need to carefully determine what insurance you will need.
We can offer the following generic advice, but please contact you local insurance broker for complete information relevant to your project location.
You will need, or at the very least should hold the following policies:
* Work Cover
* Public Risk
* Construction
* Personal Sickness and Accident (Loss of Income)
* Structural Warranty (Home Owner Warranty Insurance in New South Wales)
Australian Owner Builder Courses Online can offer our members and students, an insurance advisory and referral service with competitively priced packages that will cover all your project needs.
Can I do everything myself?
No, there are certain areas that must be carried out by suitable qualified and or appropriately licensed.
The following are the trades that cannot be carried out by other than qualified persons:
* Design
* Plumbing
* Electrical
* Drainage
* Gasfitting
* Waterproofing
* Pest – termite proofing
There are other areas that we strongly recommend that you do not attempt yourself unless you have considerable experience and or relevant qualifications or assistance:
* Roofing
* Bricklaying
* Concreting
* Rendering and internal linings
As with most things, you need to realistically assess your own capability, sometimes, hiring a mentor to provide guidance and advice can be a cost effective solutions.
When completing any works yourself, always refer to and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for fixing and finishing.
Can I do more than one project?
The short answer is no, although there are certain circumstances in some states which allow additional projects to be undertaken. (refer to the state specific pages on this website)
Most states have restrictions on the number of permits which can be obtained in a given time period and limit the construction to single residential dwellings unless otherwise stated.
Queensland for example restricts the issuance of permits to one in any 6 year period and includes all persons listed on the Title Deed.
New South Wales is one permit in a 5 year period, but does not place a restriction on other persons listed on the titles deed from gaining a permit in respect to another property.
You need to check with your state or territory regulations or contact your Owner Building Solutions consultant for further advice.
Can my partner or spouse do another project?
Within the restricted period:
Queensland: NO
New South Wales: NO
Victoria: YES
South Australia: YES
Western Australia: YES
Northern Territory: YES
Australian Capital Territory YES
Tasmania: YES
As with most things, rules, laws and exemptions change over time. Whilst we try to keep this information up to date, it is necessary to check with the local authority in your area to get the latest information on owner building.
Can I build a duplex?
Queensland: NO
New South Wales: YES
Victoria: YES
South Australia: YES
Western Australia: YES
Northern Territory: YES
Australian Capital Territory YES
Tasmania: YES
Can I do the course by correspondence?
Queensland: YES
New South Wales: YES
Victoria: YES
South Australia: YES
Western Australia: YES
Northern Territory: YES
Australian Capital Territory YES
Tasmania: YES
There is an additional charge for hard copy or paper based course to cover the cost of administration and production.
Can my family help?
Yes, but be careful of your insurance responsibilities, particularly in the areas of workcover and or public liability.
Ask your insurance broker for advice relevant to your specific circumstances, each individual may require their own insurance.
Is there a lower age restriction?
Yes, in all states the applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
Will it teach me how to use hand tools or power tools to build my project?
No, the course is not a practical training course, the emphasis is on your legal obligations and the administrative functions of required of an Owner Builder such as:
* Project Management
* Finance Administration
* Contract Requirements
* Scheduling
* Insurance
Are there any restrictions on selling an owner built house?
No, there is no restriction on selling an Owner Built property however, in some states and territories you may need to make a declaration on the “Contract of Sale” advising the purchaser of owner building works.
Do I need structural warranty insurance?
Structural warranty insurance is a difficult and complex area, and answering this question would take several pages.
In short, when people refer to structural warranty insurance, they are generally talking about the insurance that covers structural defects that become evident in a dwelling for a specified period of time post completion
(eg 6 years in Queensland).
This insurance is in many cases, underwritten by the state regulator or governing body and is in place to protect the consumer in the event the builder goes into liquidation or defaults on the contract.
These schemes normally only cover registered builders and or licensed contractors.
It is not available to Owner Builders.
In New South Wales, the Home Owner Warranty Insurance (HOW) is available to owner builders through certain nominated insurance providers. Check the Department of Fair Trading website for details.
Remember, much of the works can be covered through the individual warranties and insurance of licensed or registered contractors you engage to complete your works.
This is why it is so important to use a good filing and recording system which includes a “Register of Insurances”, such as the one included in the Owner Building Solutions Project Management System.
Are the courses the same for all states and territories?
No, however the core content of all Owner Building Solutions Australia and APEX Training courses cover those items which are generic and relevant to building in all states.
Each state or territory has it’s own unique set of rules and standards which detail the legal obligations of the Owner Builder.
We tailor each of the course contents to meet the requirements of the individual state or territories.
As we have discussed in previous questions, at this time, there is no mandatory requirement to complete a course in states other than Queensland and New South Wales.
However, our experience is that those people who undertake a formal course such as ours, generally realise greater savings during the construction of their new home
Can I build again in another state?
Yes, if you wanted to complete another Owner Builder project in another state or territory, you may, provided you meet all the requirements of that state or territory.
Do keep in mind however that the only way to successfully complete an Owner Builder project is to maintain good administrative control and management over the construction.
This may be difficult to achieve if the projects are remote.
Will it teach me how to schedule my project?
Yes, the course and the Project Management System both have considerable focus on the scheduling of the project.
Not only will it teach you the basics of scheduling, but also it will give you a basic understanding of how to reschedule in the event of delays to the building program.
The Project Management System provides the basic spreadsheet solution for recording and monitoring your project schedule.
Will it teach me how to read a plan?
The course will provide you with the basics of plan reading, remember, nominally the courses are of a very short duration to meet the basic requirements and legal obligations of the Owner Builder.
APEX Training does offer extension courses either by correspondence or on line which will provide you even greater knowledge, understanding and skills.
These courses include:
* Plan Reading and Interpretation
* Plan and Organise Work
* Basic Estimating
Each are based on the units of competency from the Nationally accredited qualification, Certificate II in General Construction.
A Statement of Attainment is issued after successful completion of the unit.
How long can I take to build or renovate?
This varies from state to state, however as a guide your local authority would generally like to see commencement within 12 months of taking out a permit.
Construction time should not exceed 12 months, however you may request an extension, (normally for a 6 month period).
You need to check with your council or your private certifier to understand the rules which pertain to your site or project.
Having said that, holding costs and finance generally dictate the maximum time a project can take before they start to eat into the savings realised by being an Owner Builder.
What happens if I do not proceed with my permit?
If you have taken out your permit and do not proceed, you will need to have the permit officially cancelled by the issuing body.
If you complete a course but do not take out the permit, the course remains valid however, you will need to check with the local authority before proceeding to make certain of any subsequent changes to legislation.
Do you offer any other services, products or assistance to Owner Builders?
Yes, we offer a range of services to assist Owner Builders in every state or territory of Australia and in fact we have assisted many international clients as well.
We remain as a group, committed to developing quality products to make the Owner Building experience more satisfying and financially rewarding.
Our members, clients and students have access to a range of support and services, some free of charge and others on a fee for service basis to assist them throughout their project.
These services and products include:
* Project Management System for Owner Builders (disk or hard copy)
* Purchasing Program for Owner Builders
* Project Management Agreement
* Extension Courses
Plan Reading and Interpretation
Plan and Organise Work
Basic Estimating
* Owner Builder Insurance
* Owner Builder Finance
* Owner Builder Club Membership
* Owner Builders Forum
* Interior Design Service
* General Site Safety Induction Training (Queensland)
Do you know any contractors?
We have access to a list of contractors for most areas in Queensland and a few in other states.
Owner Building Solutions has established a web based trade locator for our students and members to find qualified tradespersons in their area. The site is postcode search enabled.
For obvious reasons we do not get involved in recommending tradespersons or suppliers unless you are registered as a member or you are undertaking one of our programs such as a Purchasing or Project Management Agreement.
The trade search function on our website is accessible to members, students and clients and is constantly being updated to provide greater opportunities to identify trades, services and suppliers in specific areas and locations.
Can I purchase my materials more cheaply?
Yes, this is potentially one of the areas where Owner Builders can achieve real savings through putting in the time to chase deals.
Owner Building Solutions Australia has simplified this process by using our membership base as leverage and gaining access to even greater discounts for our members through our purchasing program.
See the details on this website.
Is there any limit on the building cost?
No, not at this time, our clients and students have undertaken works ranging in value from $11,000.00 to $3 million.
Can I build more than one project at a time?
Generally, the answer to this question is no.
In some states, you may use the same permit to complete various projects on the same property for the life of the permit.
In Queensland, you must state all works to be carried out under the permit and if there is any change to this you must notify the QBSA.
Will the tradesmen try to rip me off because I am an Owner Builder?
Good tradesperson will generally treat you fairly and with respect.
Always obtain three quotes or offers, in writing and if possible seek recommendations.
Demonstrating a sound knowledge of your project and coming across as being organised will help in gaining the respect of the tradesperson or supplier.
Professional, thorough, consistent and complete documentation as included in the Project Management System will help you achieve this.
If I have a dispute with a contractor, what should I do?
This is the classic case where prevention is far better than cure.
Having well constructed plain English written contracts will go a long way in preventing disputes which are generally the result of poor communications or a simple misunderstanding.
If a dispute does occur then your first course of action should be to try to resolve the matter amicably between the parties.
This is normally possible but will involve open honest communication.
There is generally little to be gained by involving lawyers or ending up in court.
Most states and territories will have a tribunal or arbitration process established to handle such matters.
Refer to the state specific pages of this website for further details and information.
Do you hold classes teaching practical skills?
Not at this time.
Being a national training organisation, it is difficult given the geographical diversity of our clients.
What we do offer however is a comprehensive do it yourself program which will be available on disk in the near future.
The disk will provide detailed step by step instruction on a range of projects that can be undertaken by Owner Builders.
At this time we envisage 10 projects to a disk which will be purchased from a selection of 100 or more projects.
Keep an eye on our website or talk to an APEX Training consultant for more information.
What is your Owner Builder forum?
Forums are not new, but they are an interesting way to access real time information on any subject that takes your interest.
Our forum has been developed to allow like minded Owner Builders to share ideas, information and support.
As the moderator, our APEX Training consultants regularly attend and enter the discussions providing invaluable advice, suggestions and comments to our members, students and clients.
Throughout 2009 we are for the first time scheduling regular blogs and podcasts which will see our qualified consultants bringing on, line learning and information to our students at no extra cost.
As a member, you will be able to suggest a topic or ask specific questions which may be developed into an informative podcast which will be of benefit to all our users.