This document provides a comprehensive home renovation checklist to help homeowners handle renovation projects in a hassle-free manner. It outlines steps to take for projects under $5,000 including getting quotes, checking licenses, and having a written contract. For larger projects over $5,000, homeowners should check the builder's registration, use a major domestic building contract, and ensure proper insurance. The checklist also reviews owner-builder responsibilities, building contract requirements, permits, payments, warranties, and more to help homeowners navigate the renovation process smoothly.

2. Looking to renovate your home, room extension, or the much-
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home renovation checklist to help you handle the project in a
hassle-free manner.

3. Home renovation costing $5000 or less
For the same project, get quotes from at least three different
companies
Check the reputation, licensing, and references of the home
improvement company, tradesperson, and handyman
Have a detailed written contract that specifies job description
and total cost
Before the project starts, ensure that your home and its content
is covered under insurance for renovations
Choose a reputed supplier
Initial deposit should not be more than 10% of the total cost
Check for defects and unfinished work

4. Renovations and extensions costing more
than $5000
Check whether the home renovation builder is registered for the
specific type of work and uses written building contract
For renovations costing more than $16,000, the builder must provide a
certificate of domestic building insurance before taking deposits and
starting the work
Check whether your home and its contents are insured for renovations
The builder and tradesperson should be registered
For projects more than $5000, the builder must use the major
domestic building contract
Find out whether you need plans and building permits for the work
Choose only a reputed and licensed builder
Seek technical and legal advice before you sign the contract
Control costs wherever possible; minimize defects and re-works

5. Owner builder, home renovation checklist
You are an owner builder if you intent to use your knowledge and
expertise to build, renovate or extend a home where you live,
manage tradespeople to do the work, and is a registered builder
who builds, renovates or extends a home on your property
You must have Certificate of Consent from the Building
Practitioners Board at Victorian Building Authority before
starting a work over $12,000; use written major domestic
building contract for work over $5000; get the necessary
certificates from all tradespeople
You are eligible for only one owner-builder permit for single
home and other associated work on the property once every 3
years

6. Building contracts
If the total cost of the project is over $5000, the builder must
have written a major domestic building contract
The contract should include all terms of agreement, plans and
specifications, and other information regarding terms and
conditions
The contract should also include details of fixtures and finishes,
and fittings

7. The Major domestic building contract must include-
Detailed description of work to be done
Builders’ registration number, names and address of all parties
to the contract
The contract price
Amount of deposit and progress payments required by law
Date of the contract
Implied warranties
Clear advice on five-day-cooling-off period
Information to obtain building permit
Details of domestic building insurance for work more than
$16,000
Start and finish date, with allowance for delay
Information regarding changing the contract or getting out of it

8. Plans and permits
Conduct building plans and check if there is a need to have
planning and building permits before starting the work
Ensure all necessary permits are obtained
Use only registered designers, architects and drafts people
Choose independent building surveyor
The building contract should state who is responsible for
building plans and obtaining permits

9. Paying for building work
Progress payments for home renovation should be done only as
per contract schedule
Before making progress payments, ensure that the project has
been inspected by building surveyor, meets contract
requirements, and is complete
The deposit should be no more than 10% if the total contract
price is less than $20,000
The deposit should be no more than 5% if the total contract
price is $20,000 or more

10. During construction checklist
Hire an independent building consultant to check ongoing
construction work
Provide the contractor and tradesperson with items you agreed
to supply, and put details and cost of variations on the contract
in writing
Consult builder about safety and health issues before visiting
the site
Make necessary changes to the building contract as per the
ongoing work
If the building work is incomplete, defective or different, discuss
with the builder

11. Implied warranties and domestic building insurance
The building contract should include your warranty rights,
whether it is a major domestic building contract or not
Registered builders must have domestic building insurance for
work over $16,000, in addition to contractual obligations and
warranties
Check whether your home or its content is insured for
renovations

12. Warranties under the Domestic Building Contracts
Act include-
Conduct work in a proper manner according to plans and
specifications in the contract
Ensure all items are supplied suitable and good and are new,
unless otherwise stated
Carry out the project as per laws and legal requirements
To conduct the work with reasonable skill and care, and complete
it by the date specified in the contract
Make sure that new homes, extensions, home renovation, and
repairs are suitable for occupation on completion
Ensure other types of work and items used are reasonably fit for
the purpose

13. Changing major domestic building contract
Use written Variation Notice for all changes to be applied to the
major domestic building contract
Avoid including provisional sum items and prime cost in the
contract as much as possible

14. Getting out of the building contract
You are eligible to withdraw from the building contract without
paying any penalty for five days after signing
If you get out of the contract during cooling-off period, you are
not liable to the builder for any financial loss

15. When building work is a complete home renovation
checklist
Check whether everything is delivered and is in working order
as mentioned in the contract, before making final payment
Keep a record of all agreements, documents and certificates
related to the contract for further reference and dispute
Understand your rights under implied warranties

16. For more information about home
renovation checklist visit :
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housi
ng-and-accommodation/building-and-
renovating/checklists

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