As many of you start back to work and make plans for the year ahead, BIO plans to keep you up to date with new industry updates that will help keep you one step ahead.  Whether you are building, renovating or just take a general interest in the construction industry, BIO's newsletter will be the one to watch out for each month.

While much of the focus tends to be on the nuts and bolts of the construction game, we're going to look at the other areas, such as design, new trends and sound advice.

We welcome your feedback and would be more than happy to research and report on any topics of interest.  Click here to send through your request.

If you are also an industry member you may like to subscribe to our Industry Members Newsletter. Click here for more information.

Until next month!

BIO TEAM.

When building or renovating your home, there are many things to consider, such as finding financial support, registered builders, insurance, contracts and safety codes.

BIO's ensures that their members are qualified and/or registered before promoting them on their website.  BIO members are dedicated to their trade and are kept up to date on industry developments and changes to legislation through the BIO Member Newsletter. 

BIO now offers a FREE service to the public to help them find qualified trades, suppliers or consultants through the BIO General Public Jobs Board.

No more ringing trades person after trades person, trying to find someone interested in doing the work, simply list your job on the General Public Jobs Board.  To ensure you provide as much information as possible you have a free document upload. Upload your full set of working drawings, site photo's and more.  BIO members will contact you after they have had a chance to fully review your project requirements and documents. 

Register your project online today!.

Thinking of selling your home ?

A "sustainability declaration"is now compulsory to be completed by each vendor (seller) when selling a house, townhouse or unit, it will be required as part of the sale from 1st January, 2010. 

Properties that have a greater number of sustainability features can have lower operating costs and be more energy and water efficient. They use less energy for heating and cooling, generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions, use less water—and best of all, are more comfortable to live in.

Sustainability features such as access and safety also mean that the property will be suitable for owners during their various life stages and will reduce the need for costly future upgrades.

For further information on the checklist or this new legislation.

 

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Changes to BSA Legislation - Increase in Works limit

From 1 December 2009, there was a change to building licensing regulations in Queensland.

Most work valued at $3,300 or less is now exempt from BSA’s licensing requirements. The previous threshold was $1,100.  

However, work that requires plumbing, draining, gas fitting, termite management (chemical), fire protection, residential building inspection, building design or site classification is still required to be carried out by a licensed contractor regardless of value.  BIO can put you in touch with registered trades to help you with your project.

Further information is included in the attached PDF or further information contact your local Building Services Authority.

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Electric resistance hot water system replacement

From 1 January 2010, existing houses and townhouses (class 1 buildings) located in a reticulated natural gas area must install a greenhouse efficient hot water system (i.e. gas, solar or heat pump) when the existing electric resistance hot water system needs replacing. Householders will not need to replace their existing electric resistance hot water systems that are in good working order. Owners of homes located outside these areas will still be able to replace their existing hot water system with another electric system or voluntarily upgrade to a greenhouse efficient system.

A postcode and address search tool has been developed to assist industry and homeowners with determining whether their property is located in a reticulated natural gas area.  Further information and the search tool are available at www.dip.qld.gov.au. 

A factsheet will be available at www.dip.qld.gov.au  in the near future.

source: http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/resources/newsletter/newsflash-407.pdf

Be Cyclone Ready

Both Neville and Olga gave us something to think about, when they teased the coast with a cyclone threat, but next time we might not be so lucky.  Making sure your home is Cyclone safe is one of the most important things you can do when living in Queensland to protect your assets and family.

James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) has published a brochure and homeowners guide to assist in preparing for a cyclone.   The CTS has undertake a range of initiatives over three years aimed at improving resilience of housing to cyclonic winds.

The CTS brochure and homeowners guide identifies a number of issues that should be addressed to keep houses in good condition in preparation for the cyclone season. The brochure and guide also provide an overview of key areas in and around houses that may require protection to reduce the risk of cyclone damage.

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Cairns Home & Lifestyle Show 2010

The Cairns Home & Lifestyle Show is on 27th & 28th March at the Cairns Convention Centre. 

Attracting over 5000 people over the two days, the show is a great opportunity to see new products or to promote your business to the Far North Queensland region.

Moduline - not just award winning kitchen designers

BIO Members "Moduline", a locally owned and operated business who has been servicing North Queensland for over 55 years, for years now has been winning industry awards for their innovate, individually designed and cabinetry, which takes kitchen and bathroom design and construction to a whole new level.  

Moduline pride themselves on their designs, individually created to suit the needs of the client, marrying contemporary design trends with emerging market products and materials. 

They believe kitchens are now the heartbeat of the modern home and play an important part in your families daily routine, so the kitchen must be warm and inviting, yet functional and practical.

Moduline advise clients to be guided by their commonsense and convenience and consider ample work surfaces and mix natural light with many of the emerging kitchen lighting trends now available on the market.

To find out more about Moduline’s awards and design concepts.

click here

Tis the season to be wet.....

As the heavens open up and the monsoon trough works it's way down the coast line, many of us don't give water saving much of a thought, but come June/July when we are hit with water restrictions (maybe) we think, "should've got that tank". 

Most Local Councils offer rebates on supply and installation of water tanks, which would fill very quickly in this weather.

In addition to Council's rebate, the Federal Government will pay up to an additional $500. But both rebates must not be more than the cost of the tank and associated installation and plumbing.

For more information on the rebate contact your Local Council or call the Queensland Government on 1800 243 585.  

Energy Efficient Home Packs - Solar Hot Water Rebates

The Australian Government is offering a rebate of $1,600 to install a solar hot water system or $1,000 to install a heat pump hot water system. This is to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems. This offer is part of the Government's Energy Efficient Homes Package which came into effect on 3 February 2009.

The Solar Hot Water Rebate will help people save money on their power bills and reduce their household's greenhouse gas emissions. Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 25 per cent of home energy use (excluding the family car).

Installing a climate friendly hot water system can save a family up to $700 off their energy bills each year.

For more information on eligibility requirements or access to the application form, click the like below.

Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Realestate.com.au - Not just property sales

An interesting link to add to your "Favorites" tab if you are looking at doing some odd jobs around the house or full on renovation is the link to "realestate.com.au".  Not only does this website have almost every property on the market in the nation it also has a few useful tabs that have great tips on home renovation, increasing the value of your home and building new ones.

Click here to go directly to this handy site.

Bank of Queensland

No application fee on your home load! Save 0.7%p.a. variable, no monthly fee ad a host of other discounts to help you pay off your home sooner.  BIO Member Finance Deal.

TP Human Captial - 10% off all of your Training needs.

With courses in Computer Skills, Accounting, Supervisory Skills, Project Management Skills and much more.  Click here to find out more.

BIO Buy & Sell Classifieds

If you are renovating or just have an eye for a bargain, check out the BIO Buy & Sell Classifieds.  There are currently listed some great flooring items up for grabs as well other landscaping products, plus so much more.

What happens when you register your project with BIO? Step 1→ Register as aGeneral Public Member of the site. Step 2 →Click Register your Project. Step 3 → Fill out your scope of works and attached your project documentation. Step 4 → Your project will be live within 24 hours.  The BIO Team will administer your project and link you to your requested Consultants, Tradies, Builders and Suppliers. Step 5 → You will receive an email notification with the contact details of all BIO members interested in your project.  You can wait for them to contact you or you can contact them. To assist you with your project administration, BIO will provide you will a full "ON Project" report.  This report will list the full contact information of interested members, for your project. In addition, you will also receive notification of all BIO members who are not interested in your project.  (Another way BIO works for you and saves you time) Step 6 → Receive your quotes. Step 7→  Once you are happy with the  level of response call your BIO Team and we will remove your project. You will no longer receive calls or emails from interested members.  ( BIO Trade Contractors, Consultant and Builders Members must be registered and licensed to be accepted as members of Building Industry Online.) www.buildingindustryonline.com.au

Looking for a single industry member? Use our free search tool to quickly find available Trade contractors in your location. Enter the search criteria as well as the dates you require assistance.  Hit submit and an available list of trades, consultants or builders will display.  Click here for full instructions. Try it today!.