We want you to know as much as possible about how to find the best builder and how to
protect your investment. We are confident that the more you know, the more you will
know to come to Pergola Land for the best quality at the best price.

The 8 Commandments of Self Protection

Be Informed – Be Aware – Get Complete Satisfaction.

1. Any work over the value of $ 1,000.00 must have a signed contract and a licensed builder to carry out the work. The contract must be in the name of the business or owner of the builders’ license.

2. If the contractor does not ask you to sign a contract then you are not under any contract to pay the bill, so it is in the contractors’ best interest to get you to sign a contract. By law the contactor is not allowed to take any more than 10% initial deposit. The next progress payment cannot be due until they have started or have materials on your site.
You need to have everything in writing to save any misunderstandings throughout the process of building your new structure.

3. Any work over the value of $12,000.00 must have Home Owners Warranty Insurance. Please note that not many contractors can obtain this insurance anymore after the HIH debacle. Pergola Land are one of a limited few who are able to provide this insurance.

4. Before signing a contract with anyone you should call the Department of Fair Trading on 13 32 20 and check if the company or builder is licensed to perform the work you require and has current Home Owners Warranty Insurance to provide to it’s customers. Also check that the company or builder that you wish to go with has no official complaints or current law suits against them. The Department of Fair Trading can
also check that the builder’s name in the contract is the same name as the name on the builder’s license.

5. It is always best to do a bit of research on the company that you choose to do work for you. Ask the company for names and addresses of a few of their previous customers and go and take a look at a few jobs similar to what you require and see what their references are like. For what our previous customers have to say, you need look no farther than our Survey Responses page.

6. You should be able to track down the company or builder in future if you need to. If they only give you a mobile number or a Post Office Box address the alarm bells should be ringing. Always know of a location for them; for example a premises that they operate from.

7. If the company or builder stands behind there workmanship, you should expect nothing less than a satisfaction guaranteed promise for the work they are going to carry out.

8. You should always use a builder to do any work for you; builders are licensed to carry out everything from footings through to roofing. Carpenters are only allowed to carry out timber framed construction - not roofing or anything else.

Be Informed – Be Aware – Get Complete Satisfaction.