Common questions about home modification

If you can't find the answer to your question here, please contact Home Modification Victoria and speak to one of our helpful Home Modification Specialists on 1300 715 866. 

Do I need a building contract?

In Victoria, every domestic building project with a total value over $10,000 must have a Major Domestic Building Contract. This includes the majority of home modification projects. Only a registered building practitioner can enter into a domestic building contract.

In Victoria, the Domestic Building REgulations 2017 requires all domestic building contracts over $10,000.00 to set out the full technical, financial and management details of your project and a number of other mandatory details. Your contract should clearly state who is responsible for doing your building plans and who will obtain your planning and building permits.

Before entering into a building contract, your Home Modification Specialist will obtain written offers or quotes from one or more builders. Builders will base their price offers on the documents provided in the tender. By law, the tender has to contain a full description of the work, the price, start and end dates, any proposed exclusions or special conditions plus a number of other details.

Once the preferred builder is selected from the tendering process, the contract is written. A building contract is the agreement between the builder to build a certain product for the owner, and for the owner to pay the builder the agreed price. The primary obligation of the home owner is to pay the builder promptly when payments are due. You must also give the builder access to the site, and supply any information and items for which you are responsible. Home Modification Victoria is very experienced at drawing up building contracts for home modification projects, and will explain the contract carefully. The contract includes a checklist to ensure you fully understand it.

If you have any concerns about the contract, please speak to your Home Modification Specialist.


Cooling off rights: Owners are generally allowed to withdraw from domestic building contracts within the first 5 days following their receipt of a copy of the executed contract. If you have any concerns, please speak to your Home Modification Victoria Specialist.

Can I choose my own builder?

You may choose a builder and contractors, but they must be registered building practitioners . The use of unqualified or unregistered builders, sub-contractors or family members may affect the insurance coverage and the quality of the end result.

For builder registration enquiries, and other information about building call the Building Commission in Victoria on 1300 815 127 or go to www.vba.vic.gov.au.

Do I need planning or building permits?

A building permit will be needed for any work that includes structural changes or footings (this usually includes ramps). Only a registered building surveyor can provide a building permit. The Home Modification Victoria Specialist will arrange any necessary building permits on your behalf with your permission. 

For larger projects, developments and new builds, Home Modification Victoria has planning specialists to assess local planning requirements, actively manage applications on your behalf and advise on design and construction implications.

You can access step-by-step advice using Consumer Affairs Victoria’s Plans and permits checklist.

What will my home modification cost? 

For peace of mind, it is important that you fully understand the cost of home modification. 

Home Modification Victoria will provide you with a cost estimate at the initial consultation.The full cost of the home modification will be identified in the contract and won't change unless the design or specifications are varied by you after the signing of the contract. 

Private clients may choose from services, select fittings and fixtures and make payments according to agreed costs and timeframes. Private funding is also an option if you can't wait or don't qualify for insurance or government program funding. 

The maximum deposit you may be asked to pay the builder is 5% if the contract price is $20,000 or more, and 10% if the contract price is less than $20,000. Insured clients requesting additional items to be included may be asked to pay for these up-front.

Is funding available for my home modification?

For eligible people, government programs and insurers will pay the cost of home modification assessed by them to be reasonable and necessary in relation to your disability, your goals and other criteria.

Funding may also be available through My Aged Care, or local and state government agencies. However, the limits on funding from these programs may require contribution from the home owner.

The insurer and program managers will be guided by the recommendations of the occupational therapist and the Home Modification Specialist as to what is reasonable and necessary for you. 

The Home Modification Specialist will provide you with clear information about reasonable and necessary floor plan layouts, fittings and fixtures for your home modification. 

Clients eligible for insurance and government program funding of their home modification will be required to pay any gap between the funded amount and the full cost of the home modification.This will include the difference for any part of the home modification that you choose in addition to the recommendations of the Home Modification Specialist. Think of it as the difference between the ‘must have’, and the ‘nice to have’. For example, you may be shown a pre-approved selection of tap ware and tiles to choose from. If you want something different, that is more expensive, you will be required to pay the difference in cost.

The total cost to you of your home modification will be identified in the tender and contract.

Can the final cost vary from the amount in the contract?

Variations to the contract can occur and usually lead to increased cost and time taken to complete the work.

For self-funded projects, the client will be required to pay for unavoidable variations, such as those needed to deal with unforeseen structural issues. Funding agencies may cover the costs of unavoidable variations for eligible people.

Avoidable variations occur when people change their minds about the design plans, layout, fittings or fixtures. The best way to prevent this is to ensure the final design plans and specifications are right from the outset.
 
The Home Modification Specialist will consult closely with you regarding any variations to the contract. Nothing will be done unless it is agreed in writing. 

How do you know the work is good quality and compliant with regulations?

Poor quality, defective or non-compliant work is obviously a poor outcome for everyone. 

The National Construction Code includes a list of Standards, which set the technical and performance requirements for buildings. Compliance with the Standards is mandatory whenever they apply to any work.

Home Modification Victoria uses AS1428 Design for access and mobility as the standard reference particularly in relation to ramp design, doorway widening, circulation spaces, toilets, grab-rails, reach ranges, furniture and fittings and luminance contrast. 

As required by law, Home Modifications Victoria uses registered practitioners to undertake all work as required.

How may I make a complaint about my home modification?


Home Modification Victoria is committed to managing complaints effectively to the satisfaction of all parties. The first step is to email or call us with the full details of your complaint.

For more information about our complaint-handling process and to make a complaint go to our feedback and complaints information page. 

For general advice on building disputes, see Consumer Affairs Victoria’s information on Building Disputes, Defects and Delays.