Last week the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) warned the public about a Brisbane building certifier who lost his certification licence for various unsatisfactory practices.
His dodgy activities included missing vital steps in certifying fire safety systems. That really makes your blood run cold at a time when bushfires are wreaking havoc in parts of Queensland.
Unscrupulous operators give the property industry a bad name
This behaviour concerns Core4, as your local Brisbane expert in commercial property maintenance, emergency repairs and facility maintenance. As a company, we pride ourselves on maintaining high professional standards. It’s disturbing that every year Queensland companies are fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for doing unlicensed or defective work.
You might have seen the news stories in recent times. It’s not just small-time people faking plumbing qualifications on Airtasker. It’s bigger companies like Architectural Glass Solutions whose licence was removed for unsafe practices by the QBCC (the industry watchdogs who deal with licensing, quality assurance and disputes).
Why is licensing important?
Whether you’re a property owner in Brisbane needing repairs, or a body corporate manager overseeing a major renovation, it is critical to do your due diligence on the contractors you work with.
One important area for you to look at when hiring a contractor is their licences and accreditations. These aren’t just boxes to tick. They demonstrate that a company has the experience to do the task it says it can do – safely and in line with industry regulations.
To avoid getting caught out by a scammer, go in with a list of questions and be prepared to run extra background checks before deciding who to hire for a job.
How to tell if a contractor’s licences check out
In Queensland, all building works valued over $3,300 require a builder with a licence. For peace of mind, Core4 recommends you check all potential contractors’ current licensing status. Do you really want someone unqualified doing major and expensive work for you on property: one of your biggest assets?
You’ll find the QBCC website helpful. It includes a license search function that gives you:
- Current information on the types of license a contractor holds.
- A history of the licenses a contractor has held … including whether they have ever had their licence suspended.
- A record of the type and number of domestic jobs they have completed.
- Their QBCC disciplinary record, including infringements and bans.
The QBCC portal is well worth a look. It could save you the hassle and expense of finding out the hard way you’ve signed up a dodgy operator who lacks the expertise they claim to have.
How to tell if a contractor’s licences check out
In Queensland, all building works valued over $3,300 require a builder with a licence. For peace of mind, Core4 recommends you check all potential contractors’ current licensing status. Do you really want someone unqualified doing major and expensive work for you on property: one of your biggest assets?
You’ll find the QBCC website helpful. It includes a license search function that gives you:
- Current information on the types of license a contractor holds.
- A history of the licenses a contractor has held … including whether they have ever had their licence suspended.
- A record of the type and number of domestic jobs they have completed.
- Their QBCC disciplinary record, including infringements and bans.
The QBCC portal is well worth a look. It could save you the hassle and expense of finding out the hard way you’ve signed up a dodgy operator who lacks the expertise they claim to have.
Is the contractor’s OH&S system accredited?
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) is a bit like Queensland’s mostly fantastic weather: we take it for granted until there’s an unexpected turn for the worse.
In the property industry OH&S is a crucial factor to look into when weighing up whether to use a particular contractor – particularly if there’s high-risk work or hazardous materials involved.
A contractor needs to demonstrate that their work will involve effective, industry-compliant OH&S systems. In line with industry best practice, Core4 maintains CM3 certification that is audited every year.
We believe this shows our commitment to keeping up with industry benchmarks and demonstrates our health and safety capabilities to clients.
You should expect your contractors to make the same investment in OH&S.
Again, it’s not just a token “check” off a list. Companies with OH&S certification show their genuine commitment to a workplace that is safe for:
- Their team
- Their clients
- The public.
Make sure to ask your contractor to confirm their accreditation and to provide you with documented policies and procedures or Safe Work Plans as required.
A good contractor will list details of their OH&S certification on their website or give you a copy on request. You should feel comfortable asking a company for details of this or any other certifications that are relevant to your project.
Question your potential contractor now, don’t kick yourself later
The long and the short of it is: don’t get caught out and hire a firm like the (unnamed) Gold Coast mob who let an unsupervised, unlicensed minor carry out electrical work.
Make sure you work with an experienced, accredited provider. If you have any doubts, ask a trusted long-term expert like Core4 for advice. We’re committed to promoting high professional standards and raising the bar within our industry. Contact us with any questions about licensing, OH&S, and all your commercial property maintenance needs.