Termites
If you are a homeowner, you need to understand what is required in relation to termite management for new buildings and extensions or alterations to existing buildings. You will also need to know what alternatives are available to meet these requirements.
BSA's Fact Sheet - Termite Management: What Homeowners Need to Know contains important information related to your, and your contractor's responsibilities.
The Booklet - Termite Management Systems also provides valuable information of the facts behind the many different types of termite management systems and clarifies responsibilities in relation to ongoing maintenance requirements.
Your contractor may provide you with an Acknowledgement Form to sign. This document verifies that you and the contractor have discussed the termite system to be used and provided information regarding the cost, durability and maintenance requirements. Note - Your contractor must use a licensed pest controller!
The type of management system installation should be fixed in two locations in your building - usually in the meter box and a kitchen cupboard. Details of the termite protection used will be detailed on these notification labels.
Additional Information
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries - Subterranean Termite Baiting Systems and Treating Subterranean Termite Attacks on Buildings
Subsidence
Footing design and construction involves a number of steps:
Site classification
Selection of the footing system
Structural design
Construction in accordance with the required design details and construction methods
Proper maintenance
Where abnormal sites or environmental conditions exist the footing system should be carried out using engineering principles. You should engage a suitably qualified Registered Professional Engineer in Queensland for advice.
The selection of appropriate site falls and floor levels should be part of the planning and setting out process. Defective surface drainage is a common factor in reactive clay foundation movement / building damage. Significant damage can be avoided provided the foundation site conditions are properly maintained.
Regulations
The person named in the contract must lodge all plans and documentation for permission/approval with a certifier BEFORE commencing work (this includes excavation and filling work). Where this is the contractor you should still ensure that the required permits have been obtained.
Development permits are obtained from a certifier whether employed by a local authority or licensed as a private certifier and should detail the stages that will require inspection. The certifier should contact the local authority in regard to a land search where requirements and/or restrictions of usage are listed (e.g. land constraints, small lot development, covenants in title, zoning etc).
Inspections to approve the work are the responsibility of the certifier who issued the permit however most local authorities carry out inspections of plumbing and drainage works.
Note - your contractor is responsible for ensuring that the proposed works comply with all relevant regulations, codes and any manufacturer's instructions.
Fact Books
Facts for Smart Building and Renovating - p23 - Building Approvals and Inspections
