On-site Insight
241 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham Canberra ACT 2602 Tel: (02) 6247 2099 Fax: (02) 6249 8374 www.mba.org.au
Simplified Business Reporting Under single Business Reporting (SBR) businesses will be able to use their existing software to submit government forms, such as BAS, electronically using a single secure login. Other forms that will be covered include Company Income Tax Returns, TFN Declarations and the quarterly business Indicators survey (for the ABS). The agencies covered include the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Australian Prudential Regulation authority, the Australian Securities and investments Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, and potentially State Revenue Offices. Use of the initiative will be voluntary and the system will be fully operational in mid-2010, with take-up by businesses escalating over the subsequent three years. Master Builders Australia is a strong supporter of the initiative which is intended to reduce the volume of reporting from businesses to government, improve consistency in business to government reporting and reduce the number of channels for business to government reporting. Education and assistance to small business using the initiative is needed and other initiatives to reduce regulations must continue. For the full Press Release contact Karen on 6247 2099
Home Building Contracts A couple of publications ago a question was asked “How many of you have read a Home Building Contract”, from cover to cover. An offer was made for a free 2 hour workshop on your rights and obligations in a Master Builders Contract. The builders who came to the workshop found it informative. We have also run workshops for members of the public. These workshops were well attended with the participants now well versed in what they can expect from our members with regard to a Master Builders contract. This Contract was written by some of the finest minds at Master Builders (ACT) for the benefit of its Members. It is a Lump Sum Contract for Residential Building Work written in plain English. Many disputes between builders and clients in the residential construction area can be avoided by a well written and thought out contract.
October 2007
It is not only the contract that is important however. The quote, being an integral part of the pre-construction process, is as important. In residential building work including remodelling and new housing, the quote should be a detailed description of what the builder has priced. It should spell out in detail the Prime Cost (PC) items, the Provisional sums and any other assumptions made by the builder in producing a lump sum figure for the client. Recently we have had member’s clients approaching us with issues relating to builders not doing what the client had assumed the builder had included in his quote. In one instance, a client showed us a one page quote for an extension that stated the price was for everything “as per plan”. This means that anything that is written on the plan attached to the quote has been accounted for. If the plans states “Steel framed stairs with Hardwood treads “ that is what the client is entitled to, not Treated Pine stringers and Treated Pine treads. In a dispute situation this situation could cost the builder a substantial amount of money and could seriously affect his profit on the job. In its effort to ensure that it’s Residential and Remodeller members remain professional in their dealings with members of the public and clients, the Master Builders would like to give assistance to any members who believe that there may be room for improvement in their quote creation. Any members that would like to attend a workshop on “MY QUOTE –TOWARDS ANOTHER SATISFIED CLIENT” please contact Norma on 6247 2099.
Master Builders Fidelity Fund Providing: • • •
ACT Home Warranty Insurance Discounts for Master Builders Members Speedy Application Process
For more information about the Fidelity Fund contact Dave on 6247 2099
Daylight Saving for 2007 - 2008
In This Issue Insulation Requirements for Commercial Building Simplified Business Reporting
The 2007 / 2008 daylight saving period for the ACT will commence at 2:00 am Eastern Standard Time on Sunday 28 October 2007 and cease at 2:00 am Eastern standard time on Sunday 6 April 2008. This means that at 2:00 am Sunday, 28 October 2007 (EST) clocks are put forward one hour to 3:00 am (Summer Time), and at 3:00 am Sunday, 6 April 2008 (Summer Time) clocks are put back one hour to 2:00 am (EST).
Home Building Contracts
Harmonised Daylight Saving from 2008
Important Dates Monday 22 October Master Builders Golf Day 8-10 November International Conference Gold Coast Saturday 10 November Green Living & Building Open Day Friday 16 November Annual Dinner
Training Dates 18 & 19 October OH&S Risk Management for Managers & Supervisors Thursday 25 October Restricted Height Scaffolding Thursday 25 October Explosive Powered Tools
From 2008 the ACT, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria will all start daylight saving on the first Sunday in October and end on the first Sunday in April. This will result in an extra month of daylight saving for the ACT and introduces common start and finish dates for daylight saving in these states.
Master Builders International Conference Gold Coast 8-10 November 2008 Master Builders Australia is pleased to be hosting the Master Builders International Conference, Building Exhibition and National Awards in 2007 on the Gold Coast and we would like to extend an invitation to what promises to be an exciting and rewarding experience. For further information visit www.masterbuilders.com.au or phone 02 6202 8888.
Our partnership with Austbrokers continues to save members thousands of dollars every year “I joined the Master Builders in May and made an unexpected saving of $7000 a year on workers’ compensation”’ Ben Arranz Expert Tiling Pty Ltd
For further information and eligibility contact David Leitch at the Master Builders on 02 6247 2099
AN INDUSTRY UPDATE FROM THE MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF THE ACT