Posted by Kristin Savage at 02:09PM, Tuesday, 04 December 2007
We have knowledge of a new FREE service which helps tradespeople price jobs easily... Figuretree.com
Visit: http://figuretree.com
Figuretree is an easy to use website tool which helps tradespeople price jobs for clients and do other simple financial calculations.
We are sure there is benefit to be had by tradespeople who use this great new service.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 10:50AM, Thursday, 15 November 2007
ASB bank have an offer where you can win a new Jennian home. Check it out at: http://www.iwantahome.co.nz/index.html
Posted by Kristin Savage at 09:28PM, Tuesday, 06 November 2007
Update from the Department of Building and Housing: The Department has published a new Acceptable Solution for installing solar water heaters, G12/AS2. It is available on the Department’s website: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/building-code-compliance-documents and can be obtained by calling 0800 242 243.
The Acceptable Solution clarifies the system and installation features needed to meet Building Code requirements. It will benefit suppliers, installers and councils. We expect the Acceptable Solution to make the compliance process simpler and to reduce compliance costs in some areas.
The Acceptable Solution will provide a benchmark for the quality of solar water heater installations.
The new Acceptable Solution becomes effective on 1 December 2007.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 10:21AM, Friday, 02 November 2007
Changes to Building Code and Compliance Document energy efficiency provisions
31 October 2007:
From 31 October 2007, tougher thermal performance standards apply to all new houses and small buildings (less than 300m2 floor area) in the South Island and the North Island Central Plateau (Taupo District, Ruapehu District and northern part of Rangitikei District). The new requirements will be introduced in other areas of New Zealand during 2008.
From 31 October 2007, tougher energy efficiency requirements for lighting come into force for all new commercial and communal non-residential buildings throughout New Zealand.
The Department of Building and Housing has published an information booklet, entitled Your Guide to $marter Insulation, detailing the changes. Copies can be obtained on the Department’s website or by phoning 0800 242 243. The website also contains copies of the updated Building Code Clause H1 and Compliance Document.
For more info: www.dbh.govt.nz
Posted by Kristin Savage at 10:06AM, Tuesday, 02 October 2007
The latest product release from Availabuild [BrandMeQuick] is a complete branding solution for trade businesses.
We take care of the design, print and delivery of the following:
logos
business cards
stationery
clothing
vehicle signage
To have your business fully branded or to simply get a batch of great looking business cards organised, call 0508 AVAILABUILD and we'll be happy to help.
Concentrate on what you're good at while we concentrate on your branding with BrandMeQuick.
------BrandMeQuick by Availabuild------ callfree: 0508 282 452
BrandMeQuick is a subsidiary product of Availabuild Limited 2007.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 06:10PM, Friday, 21 September 2007
Our diary feature is now optional.
Current subscribing tradespeople get to decide whether they'd like to keep displaying their schedule throughout the site or just have a web presence with no diary.
Subscribers can simply log in to their profile and turn the diary on or off.
Note that all diaries that haven't been updated for a month have
been turned off automatically.
Subscribers can re-activate their diary feature at any time. Previously set dates will remain intact.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 10:25AM, Friday, 14 September 2007
Reaction this week to National MP Judith Collins question asked of the Institute of Professional Engineers spokesman, Cameron Smart, regarding the proposed amendments to the Building Act. She asked "would these new changes [to the Building Act] mean someone would need to apply for a building consent to replace putty around a window".
His answer was Yes.
It's been said that the amendment needs more clarity as to what exactly is 'minor' and what is 'major' work.... You think?
Can you imagine what the reaction would be to this kind of an example becoming commonplace. It's tedious enough as it is dealing with the council. Please don't make us have to contact them to inspect and approve our simple DIY tasks. Imagine the inspection. "Yes, that putty looks ok, make sure you clean the trowel".
The government should be thanking its property owning citizens that they do, in fact, provide this 'service'. Just like how they provide cheap rental property for much of the country's citizens at no cost to the government, who should really be doing it.
We're looking forward to the amendment of the amendment.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 09:28AM, Wednesday, 29 August 2007
This month we're in the thick of developing our latest and greatest version of the Availabuild offering, with more products and enhancements.
Our focus remains to create a web-based place for tradespeople and their clients to interact more effectively. The aim is 'less hassle - more productivity'.
Providing a website platform for tradespeople is part of this, but increasingly we’re looking to offer broader web services for those in the trade industry, thus helping them with their project or operation. It's not far away so keep an eye out.
We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or suggestions.
Posted by Kristin Savage at 01:30PM, Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Plenty has been happening in the trade industry of late. Most recently, the dialogue between the government and the trade industry regarding the cost of housing and the fact that housing affordability is rising rapidly. One major reason given... red-tape.
It struck as most interesting to hear that architects are now drawing for the council rather than for the builder. It'll be fascinating to see where this heads and also to hear about your experiences.
We'll be writing here about relevant industry happenings and also updates here at Availabuild.
The Availabuild Team.
