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Building & renovating (https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/building-and-renovating)

After you build or renovate

Building & renovating

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To make sure your new building work remains trouble-free, it is important you take the time to understand how to maintain your home
and keep the relevant records.

Keeping records is important

It’s important to keep all relevant records as you build or renovate. Types of records you should keep:

a copy of the building contract and any variations for the work

any plans or specifications that go with the contract

proof of all payments made on the project

Certificate of insurance under the Home Building Compensation Fund (HBCF) (if the work cost is more than $20,000, including GST,
unless exempt) You can find out more about the HBC Scheme and check if you're covered at www.sira.nsw.gov.au
(http://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/)

other relevant insurance policies

any additional written warranties or guarantees by the builder or by manufacturers of materials or items supplied by the builder

a copy of the warranty and/or instruction sheet regarding any anti-termite protection work

contracts and relevant warranties for any other associated work carried out by contractors other than the principal builder (eg.
landscaper, pool builder)

relevant samples or documents identifying types or brands of main building materials used (eg. kitchen door facings/kitchen bench
tops)

any building, soil, geotechnical reports by the builder, engineer, architect, etc

any care-and-maintenance manuals provided by the builder and any principal contract for associated work

all correspondence relating to the building work

a list of all important phone numbers

a list of all important dates (e.g. contract and completion date).

Defects and warranties
Closely inspect the finished project and list any items of concern. Contracts for new homes come with a warranty known as the ‘defects
and liability period’ (usually 13 weeks for new homes).

Ask your builder for more detail, as the period covered can vary from builder to builder. If you find items of concern, let the builder know
in writing and keep a copy. Legally, it’s the contractor’s responsibility to make sure the work is free of major defects for six years after the
work is completed and two years for all other defects

Visit our contracts page (https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/building-and-renovating/preparing-to-build-and-

renovate/contracts) to read about the definition of completed work
(http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Tenants_and_home_owners/Home_building_and_renovating/Contracts.page?
#Definition_of_completed_work).

Smoke alarms
Every new house built must be fitted with working and appropriately located smoke alarms that meet Australian Standard 3786. An alarm
should be placed on the ceiling in a corridor or area between sleeping and living areas. A smoke alarm is also required in any other storey
of the same building, even if it does not contain bedrooms.

Visit the Department of Planning and Infrastructure (https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/) or Fire and Rescue NSW website
(https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/) for more information on the type, location and number of smoke alarms that are to be fitted to your new
home.

Drying out the house

New building materials contain moisture that will eventually dry out. Small cracks may show in brick, timber and plaster-lined areas in the
first 12 months. This should not affect the structural reliability but check with an independent building expert if you are unsure about
larger cracks or any structural movement.

Brickwork
Minor cracking in a typical brick veneer home will not affect the structural reliability of the building.

To maintain the brickwork on your property:

stabilise moisture content in and around clay sites by adequate drainage

make sure trees are planted away from the house

repair plumbing leaks

keep a record of the width of any large cracks. If you are unsure about whether or not to be concerned about particular cracks,
contact your licensed builder or a structural engineer.

Doors and windows

To maintain your doors and windows:

tighten any loose screws

oil or dry lubricate rollers, hinges, locks

check that doors close properly and their locks work

clean sliding-door and window tracks.

Walls
Provide more ventilation and heating or sunlight to walls with mildew problems and ensure roof and sub-floor wall vents are not blocked.

Kitchen, bathroom, laundry

To maintain your kitchen, bathroom and/or laundry:

check care instructions for all surfaces – ie. no excessive heat or weight

regularly clean exhaust fans and clean taps, shower rose and spouts

replace and maintain tap washers as necessary.

Roof, gutters, drains

Regularly clean gutters, downpipes and drains to remove leaves, silt or other blockages. If you have any concerns, always use a contractor
licensed to carry out roof repairs.

Security
The security of your home is important, you should consider:

installing deadlocks on windows and doors

fitting lamps with timers to switch on periodically in your absence

installing an alarm system or movement sensors to activate lights.

Landscaping
To maintain the grounds of your property:

guide water drainage away from the house

ensure adequate drainage of excess water from property to stormwater channels

place garden beds away from the house walls

if planting trees with large root systems, keep them well away from house foundations and sewer/stormwater pipes

slope paths away from the house

check council requirements for any pools or fencing.

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