11 March 2008

Archicentre Expands Operation with Building Service

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, after twenty six years of providing home inspections and design reports, has introduced a new service to cut the cost of time and frustration of home owners wanting to carry out small to medium sized renovations.

Master Builders Australia forecasts that over the next 10 years there will be $1.7 trillion dollars of investment in Australia's economic and social infrastructure, requiring an increase from 950,000 people in the current building and construction workforce, to 1,200,000.

General Manager of Archicentre David Hallett said "The Archicentre Repair and Maintenance Service (ARMS) will provide a coordinated program for people who need assistance in managing small to medium sized repairs and renovations on their homes.

"Bathroom modifications, roof repairs, decks and pergolas, replacement of windows, deck and stair repairs, small alterations, installation of safety fittings in bathrooms and toilets, and painting are just a few of the areas covered by the new service.

"With the skills shortage and the building industry so busy, most tradespeople are concentrating on larger projects often making it harder for people to find a tradesperson for many of these jobs."

 

Mr Hallett said that the service provided added value for people who had pre-purchase inspections on their homes which usually identified small areas that needed fixing.

"With the ARMS service we can save people a lot of time having to chase up various trades as we already have a report on the home that picks up the areas requiring repairs.

"In the case of older people having the Free Home Safety inspection there is often a series of smaller type jobs that need to be undertaken ranging from making decks safe or installing safety grab rails in showers or toilet areas."

Mr Hallett said that ARMS is a unique service for busy people who wanted the time and stress taken out of getting small jobs done and who did not want to spend their time chasing up tradespersons.

The Archicentre Repair and Maintenance Service includes:

  •  An explanation of what is needed to complete the works

  •  Obtains competitive prices from suitably qualified tradespeople

  •  Provides a written, fixed quote

  •  Coordinates & manages all the tradespeople

  •  Quality controls the works while being carried out

  •  Final completion check of works by registered architect

    This is a consumer orientated service backed by Archicentre and will provide an added value service. The service is being piloted in Victoria and follows the introduction of the independent Termite Inspection service.


    • www.archicentre.com.au
    Commercial Inspections; Building Status Reports; House Inspections; New Homes; Home Renovation; Home Improvements; Design Concepts;
    New Housing Reports; Pest Inspections; Pre-Purchase Inspections; Building Progress Reports.

    Media Enquiries:
    David Hallett General Manager Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0439 439 115
    Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201