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Deciding who to build or renovate with? Choose a Master Builders member and know you are being looked after by the very best

John GelavisSponsored
Master Builders Executive Director John Gelavis.
Camera IconMaster Builders Executive Director John Gelavis. Credit: The West Australian

Your home is the place where you live and, increasingly in this COVID-19 environment, also where you work. If you are building a new house, or renovating, creating different spaces for you and your family is important.

One of the challenges when you are not in the industry is choosing someone you can trust to work with you to create the very best option for your needs and lifestyle. Choosing a builder who has a demonstrated reputation for quality and reliability can make all the difference to the outcome.

These are all important factors that should be considered when choosing a builder. That is why Master Builders members are highly respected, being part of the peak industry association in Western Australia.

Master Builders is a member-based association supporting builders, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants in the residential, commercial and civil sectors. We have offices in West Perth, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton to ensure we support the entire state of Western Australia.

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Master Builders has been representing and promoting the views and interests of the building and construction industry in WA since 1898. Since that time, the association has grown to become the pre-eminent industry voice, recognised for its strong advocacy and great support it provides its members to assist them in the successful day-to-day running of their businesses.

Why choose a Master Builders member if you are building or renovating? Because we provide great support services for our members to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and advice, including building contracts, training, legal services, industrial relations, technical advice, industry economics, insurance, finance, safety advice and the latest COVID-19 information.

Training is one of our core services. Master Builders is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO code 5101) and we take great pride in offering training courses that meet the needs of employers, employees, contractors, supervisors and managers in the building and construction industry. Our training courses are continually reviewed and updated to include the latest legislation, codes and standards.

Master Builders also recognises its members through an extensive awards program, which follows a judging process focusing on quality of construction. We have just had a swag of award ceremonies in Western Australia celebrating the very best building and construction projects across the state.

The Master Builders–Bankwest Housing Excellence Awards showcase and reward residential building members for demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship, commitment to building excellence and upholding the highest professional standard.

For more information about Master Builders Association of Western Australia’s advocacy, services or to become a member, visit the website. And the next time you are looking for a builder, ask yourself ‘are they an MBA WA member?’.

Q&A with MBA Housing and Construction Director Jason Robertson

The Question

My neighbour has approached me; they are wanting to build a garage/shed which will be right on the boundary/fence line. I do not have any issues, but I’d prefer that the wall colour facing my property matches the existing fence we have, as the garage colour is going to be different. Any advice?

The Answer

Good question, and far more common than you’d think.

Firstly, sounds like you have a decent neighbour, it is always good when these things are discussed up front, and certainly before any works commence. With the garage/shed, even if it is right on the boundary line, which is permissible in certain circumstances, the matter of the colour has a couple of different aspects to it.

The garage/shed is a building, and not common property – unlike the dividing fencing itself. The responsibility for meeting the requirements of any approvals – council etc – and requirements of the Building Code and manufacturers’ requirements rests with, in this case, your neighbour.

Often neighbours will agree to painting a wall a different colour, but the responsibility of maintenance and everything associated with it is not the adjoining neighbour’s responsibility. As an example, if say there was an issue with the paint (be it the wrong colour for meeting council requirements or something else), it would be up to the building owner to rectify.

If your neighbour is happy to accommodate a different colour or facade on your side, it would be recommended you discuss with them such responsibilities, including insurance matters as well – something often overlooked. They may not be aware themselves.

As they say, happy neighbours are good neighbours.

Good luck with the project.

CONTACT Master Builders WA, 9476 9800, www.mbawa.com

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