Master Builders Victoria (MBV) understands that building a house or renovating is often the biggest investment most people will ever make, so it is important homeowners protect themselves from unqualified and unregistered building practitioners.

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) recently released its top six warning signs for identifying an unregistered builder.

Here at Master Builders, we’re committed to focusing on the best of Victoria’s building and construction industry, so here’s our take on the VBA’s top six warning signs about builders you need to stay clear of, and our six signs that can appoint your builder with confidence!

VBA’s top six ‘things to be wary of’:

1. If a prospective client can’t find any results when they type the name of the builder into the VBA’s ‘Find a Practitioner’

On the flip side, for Master Builders members, being a registered builder is their identity and they’re proud of it – they will happily show you their VBA ID card and you’ll find their name on the VBA’s ‘Find a Practitioner’ tool.

2. They do not ask you to enter into a written contract before the project starts.

On the flip side, MBV members respect your project, your wishes and your money – they prepare a formal, legally binding, written contract for you both to sign before the project starts.

3. They ask for too much money up front or at each set payment stage.

On the flip side, MBV members know how important your investment in your project is. They talk with you about the financial requirements and timings of payments etc, and only ask for the correct deposit. By law in Victoria, it is no more than five per cent, for projects over $20,000.

4. They are not prepared to tell you about, or show you, examples of recent work or provide contact details of their former clients.

On the flip side, Master Builders members take great pride in the excellence of their work, and they’ll be keen to show it off with examples of recent projects and they’ll happily share contact details of some of their former clients.

5. They cannot or will not show you their VBA ID card – which details who they are and what classes of work they are registered to do.

On the flip side, you’ll find MBV members’ full details listed with the Victorian Building Authority and they’re happy to show you their ID card. Why wouldn’t they?

6. They don’t provide you with a copy of their domestic building insurance policy or a certificate of currency covering your property before construction begins.

On the flip side, MBV members want to do the right thing by you. As standard practice, they will provide you with a copy of their domestic building insurance policy or a certificate of currency covering your property before construction begins.

Last, but certainly not least, if you are thinking about building in Victoria, trust a member of Master Builders Victoria. They know that it takes a strong industry-leading team working beside them to give you the best result, that’s why they are members of MBV.

They put their trust in us, and you can put your trust in a member of Master Builders Victoria. #trustMBV