New changes introduced on 1 July 2007 have been implemented to help ensure that domestic building work undertaken to owner-builder projects are carried out only by the appropriate registered and authorised building practitioner.

Owner-Builder Changes

An owner-builder must not enter into a major domestic building contract (to perform aspects of building work for the owner-builder) unless that person is registered as a domestic builder and that their registration allows them to carry out the proposed work.

Failure of the owner-builder to undertake “reasonable steps” to ensure registration of the building practitioner, will be deemed as an offence.

Reasonable Steps

You can check whether a domestic builder is registered with the VBA and authorised to perform the type of building work you are engaging them to do, as well as whether they have been the subject of any disciplinary action by searching the VBA’s online ‘Find a Practitioner’ tool.