What to look out for

First and foremost, only work with an architect, a draftsman or a registered commercial builder. We can’t stress this enough. If you do, whether or not it is us, you have recourse through professional and regulatory bodies.

Unregistered traders

The construction industry has its share of cowboys. Despite glossy flyers and advertising in the best magazines, many advertisers are not appropriately registered, if at all. That means no insurances, no ability to design a practice and no ability to comply with regulatory requirements, which leaves you exposed.

Fit-outs without permits

Some traders build without a planning or building permit. We have recently seen practice construction stopped by council inspections, leaving owners paying rent on a partly built practice that may have to be taken down to make it compliant, while the “builder” is long gone.

Illegal designs

Some traders offer a “sketch” to get around legal requirements and then arrange construction with third parties. That opens you up to legal and insurance liabilities.

“We know the tradesmen and will arrange it for you”

Arranging more than one trade is the work of a builder. Unless you are an owner-builder, scheduling a plumber and an electrician, for example, is building work. Only a registered commercial builder should do it.

One-stop shops and turn-key solutions

Be wary of “all-inclusive fit-outs” that design the fit-out, organise the trades and supply the equipment. We work with equipment installers so it is seamless for you, but we are builders and we don’t supply equipment. Your equipment suppliers supply and install, but they don’t build walls. Industry professionals all know each other and work together to deliver a finished, seamless result.