Overview

The Building Consultant Committee is a dedicated division of the Master Builders Association of NSW established to improve the professional standards of building consultant practitioners as well as give recognition to those who have completed the rigorous process of accreditation and registration. Once accredited or registered, our consultants must satisfy annual re-accreditation and registration requirements.

Who is Accredited Building Consultant?

Master Builders Accredited Building Consultants undertake an accreditation process in the specialised area of pre-purchase inspections, and undergo an annual re-accreditation process to remain qualified.

Who is Registered Building Consultant?

Master Builders Registered Building Consultants are consultants who provide professional consultancy services other than pre-purchase inspections, and have satisfied the MBA's registration criteria.

Pre-Purchase Reports for Home Buyers

Would you buy a second-hand car without getting an experienced and qualified person to inspect it? The majority of people would not, but when it comes to purchasing a home, surprisingly many people will undertake the greatest financial transaction in their lifetime without getting an independent pre-purchase inspection and written report.

What will a pre-purchase property inspection do?

An independent pre-purchase property inspection is designed to identify building defects or faults that need to be considered prior to purchasing a residential property. The inspection should not only identify signs of possible structural problems and safety hazards, but also cosmetic items that may simply be a matter of maintenance. The results of the pre-purchase inspection should be provided to the owner in a written report.

Master Builders requires our accredited pre-purchase consultants to provide written reports to their clients in accordance with Australian Standard AS4349.1-2007 "Inspection of Buildings".

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Choosing a Pre-Purchase Property Inspector

Since 16th September 2009, the Office of Fair Trading removed licensing for pre-purchase property inspections. How do you choose a pre-purchase property inspector who is experienced, qualified and ensured - easy, choose a Master Builders accredited pre-purchase consultant.

Master Builders has established the only training course to be offered for pre-purchase property inspector. The course is based on a study profile originating from the Master Builders and is now a course offered to building consultants by TAFE. The MBA is in partnership with the Building Institute of Training and Development and OTEN.

The four units of competence to achieve the Statement of Attainment are:

Assess the construction of domestic scale buildings
Assess construction faults in residential buildings
Assess structural requirements for domestic scale buildings
Write complex documents

Master Builders Accredited Building Consultants are required to meet additional stringent criteria such as:

a minimum of 15 years practical experience in the residential building industry;
undertake annual re-accreditation;
maintain a Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy;
abide by a Code of Ethics and Business Practice.

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Benefits of Being Master Builders Building Consultant

Industry recognition as a Accredited / Registered Building Consultant
Entry to two (2) CPD seminars per year
Entry to the annual Building Consultant Re-Accreditation Seminar (Compulsory)
Use of “Master Builders member” and “Building Consultant” logo on your stationery and business cards
Master Builders Building Consultant Identification Card
Listing on the Find a Consultant website
Use of up to 30 Building Consultant brochures

Application

Applicants seeking accreditation or registration must first satisfy the following pre-conditions prior to making application:

Become an Accredited (pre-purchase) Building Consultants (ABC)

Hold a current NSW Building Contractor Licence or Qualified Supervisor Certificate. – including pre-purchase inspections work
Minimum of fifteen (15) years practical experience in the building and construction industry, including ten (10) years in the housing or low rise residential field (Applicants are required to submit a resume).
Two references from industry persons (such as builders, architects, engineers)
(Referees must be a member of a recognised industry association)
Two (2) sample pre-purchase inspection reports. In accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 ‘Inspection of Buildings.’ or an special purpose in accordance with AS 4349.0-2007
Professional Indemnity Insurance for business activities as defined in your application, with a minimum of $1million, plus one re-instatement.
A member of Master Builders Association of NSW (if you are not a member of the MBA NSW you will need to apply for membership once your application for Accreditation has been approved)

Become a Registered Building Consultants (RBC)

Building qualifications relevant to the primary activities to be undertaken as a registered consultant, i.e. Structural Assessment or Heritage Assessment. – excluding pre-purchase inspections work
Minimum of ten (10) years practical experience in relevant areas in building
Two references from industry persons (such as builders, architects, engineers)
(Referees must be a member of a recognised industry association)
Two (2) sample reports relevant to the primary activities to be undertaken as registered consultant.
Professional Indemnity Insurance for business activities as defined in your application, with a minimum of $1million, plus one re-instatement.
A member of Master Builders Association of NSW (if you are not a member of the MBA NSW you will need to apply for membership once your application for Accreditation has been approved)

Master Builders also provides a Building Consultants report writing course for people whom have not written formal pre-purchase building reports but have good building knowledge.

Registration Form for Accredited Building Consultant [PDF - 441KB]

Existing Consultant wish to Download Re-Accreditation Form [PDF - 383KB]

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Building Consultant Courses

Master Builders also offers courses for builders who interested in becoming a building consultant. Course details can be found here.

Upcoming Events & Seminars

Building Consultant Re-Accreditation Seminar
Date: Wednesday, 4th August, 2010
Venue: Rosehill Gardens Racecourse
Time: 7.30am to 3.00pm

Building Consultant Seminar + Annual General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, 7th July 2010
Venue: Master Builders NSW, 52 Parramatta Road, Forest Lodge
Time: 12:00noon to 4:00pm (light lunch provided)

Code of Fair Business

As a member of the Master Builders Association of New South Wales, management of this firm subscribes to the Code of Fair Business practice (PDF 259KB).