August 2007 Pints and Profits

We had the second series this year of the Pints and Profits Seminars in Parramatta and North Sydney.

It was an incredible turn out to both seminars. We had full houses. The beers and the pizzas make a difference I think.

Attendees included:

• Grindley Constructions, Fugen Holdings (NSW) Pty Ltd, Baseline Constructions, Gartner Rose Pty Ltd, New England Constructions P/L, Kladis Building, Solutions
• Incoll Management, Withers Air Conditioning P/L, David Hicks & Co Pty Ltd, Solid Support Delay Analysis, Fitout & Refurbishment P/L, Austral Air Conditioning, GMD (NSW)
• Sandlik Constructions, Waldock Construction Group, Steve-Watt Constructions, J&R McCue Industries P/L, Bilfinger Berger Services Pty Limited
• Quasar Constructions, Balmain Guarantee, Walton Construction, Carmarda & Cantrill Pty Ltd, Built NSW Pty Ltd, Aspect Air Conditioning, Pimas Gale, Northern Building
• Easton Builders, Delta Airconditioning Pty Ltd, Nass Services Co P/L, YA Welding P/L, Morrell Plumbing Contracting P/L, Rider Levett Bucknall, The Rix Group Pty Ltd, Star Electrical Ascott A/C P/L

I was particularly pleased with the questions asked at the seminars by the delegates. It is obvious that people have a genuine desire to learn and in the pub surroundings they are not afraid to ask questions.

I was also content with the numbers who stayed behind to chat. It allowed us to meet people and really get to know them and some of their legal issues.

The photos form the Parramatta Seminar follow. I apologise as I had trouble with the flash.

Click here to view photos

May 2007 Mass Media Campaign Starts
In May 2007 we concluded negotiations for our Country New South Wales mobile advertising. This new campaign has already led to many new country clients. We like to stand out from the flock.

Please see the new method in our photo gallery

May 2007 Pints and Profits
The "Pints and Profits - Recovering the Last 10% - A Subcontractor's Guide to Survival" was a great success. The seminar was held in Parramatta, with 30 people attending and all appreciated the casual surroundings, beers, pizza and a very attractive bar maid. I'm sure they were also very pleased with the presentation by Craig Young (well done by the way mate!). I was personally very pleased to hear many first time attendees comment on the success of the evening. To those that didn't attend a copy of the succinct notes of the seminar are can be used as a check list in contract negotiations and are available upon request for a modest fee.

See you at the next function in North Sydney in July 2007.

Click here to view photos

Another successful matter completed!
Another successful matter completed in the Supreme Court for a happy client. The case involved a titanic battle against Centennial Coal concerning whether the document served was a payment claim in respect of bridge works. Clayton Utz fought every single point and had two cost orders made against their client. Hardly the result that they hoped for we imagine. We ran a lean clever case for our client, the result of which was a $1 million award plus payment of our client's costs.

Click here to view the court ruling

Can a contractor make an SOP claim against a subcontractor?
We have clarified the issue in a small but significant matter in the Local Court.
The case is an important one for subcontractor and contractors alike.

Click here to view the full article
Click here to view court ruling

March 2007 Last Week of Daylight Saving
To celebrate the last week of summer we organised the company boat (Craig's boat) to entertain a select group of builders and developers on a wonderful Thursday afternoon eating seafood washed down with great NZ wine and select beer.
Without naming names have a look at the guys enjoying themselves on one of the best afternoons March. Try and make the next trip.

Click here to view photos

Property Council Seminar
On 2 November 2006 we sponsored the latest survey presentation by Trilogy Integrated Communications. The survey Trilogy Property Pulse 2006 is an annual research study comparing attitudes of Sydney and Melbourne residents towards the issues of development and planning in their cities. Topics include the environment, property investment, affordability, sustainability and infrastructure. Community attitudes appeared to have reached a tipping point this year.

Panel members Daniel Grollo ( Joint Managing Director, Grocon), David Mann ( NSW State Manager, Urban Pacific Limited) Robert Pradolin ( General Manager Victoria, Residential Division, Australand) and Nicole Smith (Director, Trilogy Integrated Communications).

Over 100 people attended the function and listen to the panel members understanding on the data and the direction of the results.

After seminar drinks were well attended and a number of us caught up and for a couple of hours.

Click here to view photos
Click here to view the brochure (PDF 309Kb)

2006 Christmas Party
We had a sensational first year.

On 16 November 2006 we had our annual Christmas party Cocktail Function at Café Sydney at Circular Quay. You may all recall it was that day when we awoke to the coldest November morning in the history of the record keeping. By mid afternoon the temperature crept above 17 degrees and by late evening the wind dropped the clouds parted and the evening was wonderful. In contrast to last year we invited a limited number of guests. 50 clients attended. All of which we count as good friends. The wine and food is always sensational at this venue and when the weather is clear Sydney Harbour makes for a fantastic backdrop.

Click here to view photos.
top

Setoff Clause in AS4000
In the Victorian Supreme Court case of Main Roads Construction Pty Ltd v Samary Enterprises Pty Ltd [2005] VSC 388, Justice Habersberger held that the AS 4000-1997 construction contract requires a principal to pay certified progress claims in full during the course of the project, without reduction or set-off.

If the superintendent has not deducted from the progress claim any claims for set-off made by the principal, the contract defers any appropriate adjustments to a later date.

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VSC/2005/388.html
top

Building industry reform are all the players ready for change?
Property Australia.

The construction industry has been described as lawless, violent, thuggish and coercive, but new reforms are set to put change in motion. Stephanie McDonald reports on how these reforms will affect the industry.

Click here for the article
top

How much do you know about Security of Payment?
One of the major risks of working in the construction industry is getting paid.

The new Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act process, if followed correctly, is there to protect you.

The processes involved in the Act can be confusing and complex, yet it shouldn’t be.

Click here to see how the Act really works.
Or click here to see the latest statistics concerning adjudications on the SOP

Basically the process boils down to three clear distinct stages. It’s critical that you follow all of the steps (along with our advice), to ensure you get paid.
top

Defects in your Investment. Your Home Warranty Insurance May Not Respond As you Might Think
Wentworth Courier

No investor or owner likes to wake one day to discover that their prized and most expensive residential purchase is suffering from substantial cracking, leaks and other latent defects caused by negligent building or design.
Although the majority of developments today are built solidly, unfortunately some people may have bought into a development that has started to show hidden defects that were not present at the time of purchase.

Click here for the article
top