Archicentre

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects today listed several of the top major rip off practices in the home building and renovation industry and urged home owners to use qualified and registered tradespersons, especially when having repair works undertaken following the recent storms and floods in Western Australia.

Brad Cook

West Australian State Manager of Archicentre, Brad Cook said Archicentre often receives calls when home owners become concerned over the quality of work being undertaken and a dispute has arisen with the tradesperson over the excessive costs of the repair work. "Home owners should check with the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that the tradesperson or builders they intend to use are currently licenced. Also they should check the currency of their public indemnity insurance. "In many of these cases it is too late to assist people as the work has been significantly completed, however, the best way to avert such problems is to have a detailed inspection before the work starts and document the agreed standard. Mr Cook said that sadly many of these rip offs are carried out on the most vulnerable groups in the community - people under stress or the elderly. Often these rip offs only come to light when the 'quick fix job' falls apart and the shonky tradespeople have disappeared to another neighbourhood and a new group of victims.

Archicentre inspectors undertaking pre-purchase home inspections have reported some of the most common rip offs include:

1. Rip Off Roof Repairers
They usually tell you that your roof is in poor condition and they can clean off all of the moss and lichen, as this will damage the surface of your roof. If you don't have the moss and lichen cleaned off and the roof sealed, your tiles will fill with water and could collapse the roof. The truth is that cleaning the moss and lichen off the roof is only an aesthetic consideration.

2. Rip Off Roof Repair
This is based on painting, usually a rusty corrugated iron roof, with the 'latest miracle paint', which will protect the iron and stop leaks. Exorbitant charges are made and the job probably lasts a couple of months before breaking down. The truth is that if the iron roof is rusty it needs replacing and people should have a reputable registered roof repairer provide a proper quote.

3. Rip Off Painting
The use of diluted paint and the application of only two coats instead of three, plus the failure to prepare surfaces for painting correctly resulting in early deterioration of the job.

4. Rip Off Termite and Borer Treatment
The quoting of chemical eradication work for harmless borer species and the over quoting for termite treatment.

5. Rip Off Crack Repair
The quoting and undertaking of extensive underpinning of a home without assessing the real cause of the problem such as soil drying out, which may only require the watering of the soil.

6. Rip Off House Renovation
The Builder offers a lower price if the owner is willing to register himself or herself as an owner builder. This can lead to the owner foregoing the housing guarantee in States' where it is applicable. This could be a de-registered or unqualified builder.

7. Rip Off Tiling
The use of seconds in floor and wall tiling whilst charging the full price.

8. Rip Off Damp Repair
The use of waterproof plaster instead of fixing the drainage, roof or structural problem, which is causing the damp problem. This is only a temporary fix.

9. Rip Off Weatherboard Repair
The covering of decayed weatherboards with tin and a coat of paint instead of removing and replacing the weatherboard, especially on the ends of weatherboards.

10. Rip Off Material Ordering
Make sure that material ordered for your job is actually used on it. Unscrupulous fly-by-nighters often make money by selling the same material several times over by ordering more than is needed and then using it on the next job. A few sheets of plaster, a door, timber etc. soon add up to a handy profit.

Common Rip Off Sales Patter
… we have been working up the street and have some extra material left over so we can do a cheap job for you now if you want to take advantage of the situation.
…. will you be able to pay us cash for the job?
….we are happy to take you down to the bank to draw out the money to pay.
…. this is a very rare offer and only available this week.
…we are looking for promotional opportunities to put in a magazine.

Rip off Check List
* Is the tradesperson registered with an industry body or authority?
* Make sure the quote is given on a business letterhead with an address and ACN or ABN number if a company.
* Make sure there is a contact phone number for Business Hours, and After Hours, not just a mobile phone number.
* Is the vehicle clearly marked with the company name?
* Ask for a referral from two other customers.

Protect yourself and Your Home
* Do not allow trades people into your home unless you are satisfied with their credentials.
* Do not allow people to commence work without a correct and agreed quote.
* Never tell strangers on the telephone your movements such as when you won't be home.
* Always take a note of vehicle numbers if you are concerned about a tradesperson.

Mr Cook said, there are many reliable and honest trades people who do an excellent job and creating awareness of the rip off merchants is aimed at making sure the industry and the community limit the activities of dodgy operators.

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
Brad Cook, West Australian State Manager Archicentre (08) 9389 6200 Mobile: 0400 037 094
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201