17th January 2008

BUILDING AND OTHER GUIDES FOR CONSUMERS

A useful guide to help those thinking of building or renovating is now available through Eastern Victoria MP, Peter Hall’s office.

Those interested are encouraged to contact Mr Hall’s office on 51747066 or make direct contact with Consumer Affairs at the cost of a local call on 1300 557559.

Mr Hall said it was a useful guide that could help individuals and families through building or renovating, which is often the single most expensive exercise a family can undertake.

“The guide can help people avoid some of the pitfalls, or at least give them enough information to ask the right questions in regard to building laws and at the various stages of the project,” he said.

Some of the areas covered included avoiding common pitfalls, financing, building for the Australian environment, extending and renovating, becoming an owner/builder, choosing a builder, construction, managing a dispute, fences, keeping your home safe and useful contacts.

“The reality is entering into a building or renovating project is a big step in anyone’s life,” Mr Hall said. “The guide provides that extra bit of knowledge and accumulated experience of other people to make the task a bit easier.”

Mr Hall also encouraged people to consider the range of information available from Consumer Affairs on a variety of other topics.

These include:

• Owning, managing and living in a unit or apartment

• Better car deals; a guide to buying, owning and selling a car

• Retirement Villages, and

• Safe products for your baby

“As with the Building and Renovating Guide, the information in these other areas is very useful and a good starting point for a wide range of people,” Mr Hall said. “Buying a car for example is a major purchase and the guide can help you get started, while also explaining the relevant issues around buying a new or used vehicle, what to check before you buy a used car, dealing with repairers and then selling your own vehicle.

“The Retirement Village information is comprehensive and outlines the statutory responsibilities of village operators. Certain details about retirement villages are required to be registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria and all villages must have an operating internal dispute resolution system in place.

“This and other information can be very important for older couples and their families to know.”

Mr Hall added that Consumer Affairs has an office in Morwell and also has a local call charge telephone number 1300 73 70 30.

“If people would like further information, they can also contact my office,” he said.

Media contact:                  Peter Hall      (03) 5174 7066   or 0427 747 066