Problems with getting builders licence

You and me both @bob shovel

Once i finish my cert 4 ill be in need of the same.
Would love to hear how you get along with all this @Brian84

 

I will keep everyone updated on here when I find out what I have to do.

 

Thats not really how Databuild and Beams work, and is precisely why the builders licence has such a specific set of experience listed.

 

That could be an issue. You music have been employed when you did your apprenticeship? You need to go back to when you were employed and get that boss to sign off on what did. It can be with in the last 10 years

 

Yes the problem is that it is out of the 10 years since I finished my apprenticeship. Plus he wasn't a licenced builder back then. He was just a contractor with workers doing framing.

 

Hmmmm you mustn't be the first in that situation.
Best to go in or call master builders?
Keep reading the link i posted earlier and make sense of it

 

@Brian84 any luck?

 

I have just received my certificate from the course on Friday and a builder should have the reference done by Tuesday so I will see how I go next week.

 

How did this turn out?

 

I still have not sent off for mine, I think part of the idea is to wear you down

 

Im interested to know how @Brian84 went too.. My hubby is in the same predicament. You can see why there are so many cowboys out there. There is more of a need for regulating the industry in way of security for the customer, i.e. builders not doing shoddy work and running off, however most of the ones that plan to steal the clients money would never bother becoming registered in the first place, as it would be easier to track them down. At the moment you need to work as a builder for 2 years or whatever, but then its illegal to work combining more than 3 trades (e.g. painting, plastering, framing) without being a registered builder- for most who have been self employed for years its a complete catch 22. The ones on wages under a builder generally aren't the ones who are going to go off on their own.

 

...until that builder goes bust and 3 new building companies start up. Recycling at its best.

 

This is exactly how I would put it. couldn't have said it better myself. There are so many dodgey builders who I have seen later and just think how did you get a licence and I cant get one.

There is also the case of any joe blow can go and get an owner builders licence and start building houses with no experience in the industry what so ever yet someone like myself with 16 years experience cant get anywhere. sure I could go and get my owner builders permit but it doesn't allow me to do what I want.

Fair trading NSW should change the rules back to being able to get your builders licence once someone has cert iii in carpentry or bricklaying and also cert iv in building but instead of doing the 2 years supervising under a licenced builder they should be allowed to build homes like an owner builder and all jobs need to be certified and passed by a fair trading representative. That's my input anyway.

 

I need to follow up with a guy from HIA who I was speaking with before xmas who thinks he should be able to get me the licence going off my experience and a couple of references. I just haven't had the time to chase it up as I have been flat out with work.

 

when i last enquired (about 2 years ago) the building commission representative from the license dept said that if you provide a decent portfolio of work, and can demonstrate your knowledge (need to know code inside out) then you should be fine, but it could be different now. Plus its a big risk to take paying the fee not knowing if you'll get knocked back. I think the HIA/master builders 1-2 day courses prepare you though

 

Do you have photos of jobs, invoices to clients etc that show a bit of a portfolio?

 

Have you considered waiting another 2 years and go working for a builder.

While im sure your a great carpenter (sorry if thats the wrong trade) and you have great potential to be a builder, what project management experience do you have? Not saying you do not have any, but i can see this is why they want to see you work for a licensed builder and not a licensed contractor. End of the day a builder is a project manager to make sure all contractors come together and complete the job as specified. Building/code knowledge is required and hence why experience under a licensed builder is required (not any other trade). I know a few builders (small scale own developments only) that have no trade experience what so ever until entering the construction industry (all they learnt was within the the 2 years experience and education) though they did groom themselves to be licensed builders.

 

If I do that then the workers I have now will have to find new jobs. I have 4

 

Yea well that's got to happen (or if their capable, let them take over your current business)

 

How did go with HIA @Brian84