Company Trading Requirements

Before you seek a quotation or advice from any contractor, it’s essential to verify whether the companies involved are legitimate entities holding the appropriate licenses, registrations, and certifications to provide their services. Consider the

  • ABN and Trading History: Check if the company has an active Australian Business Number (ABN) on the Australian Business Register website.
  • Ensure that the entity name or trading name matches the one used in their advertising. A lengthy trading history instils confidence. Confirm if the company is registered for GST and if GST is applied to quoted prices. Ensure the company is in the state where the work is to be undertaken.
  • Matching Details with QBCC License Search: Cross-reference the company details on the Australian Business Register with those found on the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) License Search history.
  • Online Reviews: Research online reviews about the contractor, such as Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews. Be aware that some contractors with numerous positive reviews might offer incentives for 5-star ratings. A long-standing trading history is a more reliable indicator of work quality and industry reputation.

QBCC License Search

The most crucial aspect of contractor selection is ensuring they hold a valid and active QBCC license. The QBCC website allows consumers to search the license history of all QBCC licensed contractors. Pay special attention to the following records:

  • Business Name: Ensure it matches the chosen contractor’s name.
  • ABN: Verify that the listed ABN matches the contractor’s ABN on the ABR website.
  • License Class: For metal roofing contractors, a QBCC Roof and Wall Cladding License is the minimum requirement. Examine the Full History to see how long the company has held this license, reflecting the business’s longevity and reputation.
  • Condition and Status: Ideally, there should be no imposed conditions, and the Status should indicate an active license.
  • Disciplinary Record: Contractors without prior disciplinary actions should show a history of “No” in all categories listed in the Disciplinary Record.
  • Nominee Details: All QBCC licensed companies require at least one current nominee.
  • Record of Residential Construction Work. Consistent residential construction work across each financial year indicates the contractor’s capacity for domestic building projects.
  • Record of Claims Approved Under Statutory Insurance Scheme, Directions to Rectify, Disciplinary Record, Exclusions, and infringements: A contractor with no claims and a clean record demonstrates quality workmanship and adherence to QBCC regulations, including codes and standards.

Project Compliance.

QBCC Contracts and Payments

Once you’re satisfied that your chosen contractor is appropriately licensed, ensure they comply with QBCC Contracts and Payments requirements and legislation. Works over $3,300 (including GST) require a written contract. Different contract levels, inclusion of the Consumer Guide to Building, and maximum allowable deposits vary depending on the contract amount. Detailed information can be found on the QBCC website.

Contract levels:

  • For contracts over $3,300 including GST but less than $20,000 including GST, it falls under a “Level 1 Regulated Contract.”
  • Contracts with a value of $20,000 including GST and above are classified as “Level 2 Regulated Contracts.”

Consumer Guide to Building:

  • The QBCC Consumer Guide to Building should accompany all “Level 2 Regulated Contracts,” which pertain to projects valued at $20,000 and above.

Maximum Allowable Deposits:

  • When the total contract price is less than $20,000, the maximum allowable deposit is 10%.
  • For contracts with a total price of $20,000 or more, the maximum allowable deposit is reduced to 5%.

QBCC Statutory Home and Warranty Insurance

For projects exceeding $3,300 (including GST), your contractor must obtain a QBCC Statutory Home Warranty Insurance policy and pay the relevant premium. This is a legal requirement. Check that Home Warranty Insurance is included in your quote to protect against defective workmanship. You should receive a Notice of Cover from both the contractor and the QBCC before work commences.

Building Approvals and Certification

Undertaking roofing works often requires a building approval, which is the consumer’s responsibility. Reputable contractors should include this process in their quotation and engage a registered Building Certifier on your behalf. Costs associated with approvals and certification should be outlined in your contractor’s quotation.

Many consumers are not aware of the necessity for the building approval when embarking on roofing projects. A prevalent misconception arises when interpreting Schedule 1 of the Building Regulation 2021. It often leads to the belief that if the roofing work does not impact more than 20% of the building’s structural components of the same type, it doesn’t necessitate a building approval. However, its crucial to note that the initial provision in Part 8 of the Schedule clearly states that the roofing work must exclusively affect or be a minor structural component of the building. Refer to the excerpt below:

The definition of minor structural component outlined in the Building Regulation 2021 is:

‘If the work is repairing or maintaining the structural component—a structural component that, if it was not present in the building, the building’s general safety and structural integrity would not be at risk, or Examples—

  • replacing a veranda post
  • replacing a metal connector

A roof, which contributes to the buildings general safety and structural integrity cannot be considered as a minor structural component. Therefore, the 20% gross floor area cannot be relied upon.

Further to this, the 20% gross floor area is per building. It does not include attached or other detached buildings on the same site.

It is the important to note, that the responsibility of obtaining all relevant building approvals and certification lies with the consumer. Reputable contractors will include this as part of their quoting process and engage a registered Building Certifier on your behalf. Like QBCC Statutory Home Warranty Insurance, the costs associated with obtaining the relevant approvals and certification should be outlined in your contractor’s quotation.

Engineering

Consider the structural requirements when changing roofing materials. If the new material’s weight, shape, or pitch differs from the existing material, structural integrity assessments are necessary, outlined in the Building Approval.

For example: removing roof tiles and replacing with metal such as Colorbond, this will mean that the structural integrity of the roof framing will be subject to an engineering assessment.

The engineering requirements in such cases will be outlined in the Building Approval and it is of great importance that these requirements are met to ensure the structural integrity of the building is maintained and final certification of the new roof can be achieved.

QLeave

For projects with a contract value of $150,000 (excluding GST) or more, QLeave must be notified, and applicable levies paid. In cases where a Building Approval is required, proof of levy payment is necessary.

Planning a roof replacement can be complex, but Certified Roofing is here to assist you at every stage of your project. Feel free to reach out to one of our experts for guidance and answers to your questions.

Certified Roofing Specialists in Metal Roofing and Maintenance: Your Guarantee for a Job Well Done.