Tradesman essential Insure
Major housing renovations are not for the home handyman although several have made expensive trial-and-er-ror attempts.
The Christchurch City Council building engineer, Mr B. C. Bluck, is concerned that there has been a swing in this direction.
Initially, it may be seen as a cost-saving measure but.
according to Mr Bluck. more often than not. it can be disastrous.
During the past three months the council has issued an average of 450 building permits per month and a considerable number of these permitholders intended carrying out substantial structural renovations themselves. Mr Bluck believes this disturbing trend has largely come about because of overpromotion of the home handyman image, which has misled people to regard the
qualified tradesman as unnecessary. Another common method has been to employ subcontractors and for the owner to take out the building permit. In taking out the permit, the owner sometimes overlooks the fine print. It is not until the council finds fault with the building structure that an owner (who has
signed the building'permit) discovers he has the sole responsibility to ensure the work meets council standards. A written legal agreement is the best protection for the homeowner. A solicitor can be used for this work or the Master Builders Association has standard contract forms available, which have been vetted bv solicitors.
A fire insurance policy is an absolute minimum although the Consumers Institute of New Zealand recommends that a householders policy is far better. This policy has been designed to cover many other kinds of damage to property. Premiums vary according to the location and construction of the property. Factors that affect premiums include
distance from a fire station, water pressure in an area, access to the house and the materials used in construction.
The house should be insured for its current market value. Since values fluctuate over the years, the institute recommends that, the amount be reviewed at regular intervals. preferably each year. Make sure that the policy comes into effect from the day of settlement. Once you have agreed to buy a house you must go through with the "purchase. •
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Press, 20 October 1981, Page 23
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351Tradesman essential Insure Press, 20 October 1981, Page 23
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