Builders Licence

Discussion in 'Development' started by nap33, 24th Feb, 2016.

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  1. nap33

    nap33 Member

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    Have not gone to get it just yet. Thinking of doing it in June / July period. However from my conversations on the phone i was told it would be a 6 week course to complete my Cert IV - also because i already have experience?.
     
  2. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    To be honest, it was quite difficult for me as I was inexperienced at the time and only doing roofing and basic framing structures at the time.
    With the building studies course, you basically had to cover every trade in reasonable detail and it was quite overwhelming for me at the time in my early 20's while working full time.
    Later on I built a couple of houses from very start to completion working as a general labourer with a builder, this was an awesome experience and learnt a lot.
    But I also learnt about how much I abhorred that type of physical work day in and day out, which forced me to start the business I'm currently doing which has been going strong for over a decade.
     
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  3. boeman

    boeman Well-Known Member

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    Got mine last March. I have a trade certificate in bricklaying and diploma in building and construction. Plus 2 years experience as a supervisor and my years bricklaying (7 in total required + diploma in WA). Need the list of all the jobs I had done brickwork on and supervised, along with the estimated contract value, type of house (eg 2 storey double brick tiled roof) and the date I worked on it. Plus a police clearance, construction white card and a few other thigns.

    Luckily I had my bricklaying invoices and my employer from when I supervised could print a report on the jobs I supervised.

    Worth it for me, I wanted to start a business. Also a good bit of paper to have when applying for jobs.

    If you aren't planning to go out on your own one day though, it isnt worth it. 7 years and you could get any other qualification you want.
     
  4. Brian84

    Brian84 Well-Known Member

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    I just enrolled for the course. Starts on the 8th June.
     
  5. TML

    TML Well-Known Member

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    Brian84, good on you matey. How long is your course?
     
  6. JKWS

    JKWS Well-Known Member

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    The Builders licence is not as easy as you all think.

    To get it done within the year your looking at about 3 hours a night, I dedicated a day whenever possible every weekend to this too.. It still took me a year! Ive been in the industry for 6 years!

    The next hurdle is insurance as already mentioned, unless your truly active in the industry you'll never get permission to build much more than a studio renovation.

    My findings so far, sorry to burst anyones bubble.
     
  7. Ace in the Hole

    Ace in the Hole Well-Known Member

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    Good honest feedback.
    It's not a license to print money like some would think.
    There would be plenty of trades who only specialise in one area who make much more money than builders who have so much more to be responsible for.
     
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  8. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Burst away! It's a big commitment and to come out the other side you need to make sure it's right for you.

    I had considered it but chose not too further it. It's a career choice not just a ticket that's nice to have to do a development or two. You'll get eaten alive
     
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  9. Skilled_Migrant

    Skilled_Migrant Well-Known Member

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    For a few projects, owner builder should be sufficient.

    VIC allows you 1 owner builder very 3 years, so between a couple 2 projects every 3 years is theoretically possible.
     
  10. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    Plus in the wife and kids names you can do more
     
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  11. Skilled_Migrant

    Skilled_Migrant Well-Known Member

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    There is a retired builder I know who does exactly this (kids, nephews and nieces) to save 15,000 or so in builder insurance per year.
     
  12. bob shovel

    bob shovel Well-Known Member

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    I came across a similar dude, building them himself just getting the few trades as needed. Took about a year to build
     

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