Starting and completing works
After you’ve received approval for Household Resilience Program funding from the Department of Housing and Public Works, you can start the next process – making the approved improvements.
Do not start any works to improve your home until you receive this approval in writing.
Starting improvement works
Once your application is approved, you must engage a QBCC-licensed contractor to complete the approved works. Here are some things to be aware of before you start.
Insurance
Before works can start, the contractor must give you evidence of their QBCC Home Warranty Insurance to confirm the works will be insured.
You will need to upload a copy of this insurance to the grants portal after the works are completed. Read more about Home Warranty Insurance.
Initial deposit
You may also need to pay the contractor an initial deposit. The deposit should usually be no more than 10% of the quoted price, but could vary depending on the work to be completed and materials needed.
Responsibilities
While works are being completed, you and the contractor are responsible for coordinating all works, including:
- site safety
- property protection
- temporary accommodation as required.
Completing improvement works
Documentation
After the contractor completes the works, but before the program makes any payments, the contractor must give you this documentation:
- form 15 – for design compliance or statement of compliance provided by engineer or supplier of proprietary products (e.g. cyclone shutters)
- form 43 – for installation of proprietary items OR form 21 – for certification of structural works
- the contractor's invoice:
- addressed to the homeowner (full name)
- referencing the Household Resilience Program application number
- itemising and quantifying the works completed
- photos of the newly completed works.
They should also give you details of their QBCC Home Warranty Insurance, covering the full value of the quote or more (where applicable), if they haven’t yet provided this.
Upload these documents to the grants portal. You will receive instructions on how to do this.
Final inspection
Once our grants officer has reviewed the documentation, a qualified assessor will visit your home to complete an on-site, post-works inspection.
Payments
After the grants officer has confirmed that the works have been completed in line with the approved grant, the team will pay the funding directly to the contractor.
No payments are made directly to homeowners.
However, you will then pay the balance of your co-contribution (minimum 20% of the total quote), plus any additional costs for works not covered by the grant, to the contractor, once you’re satisfied that the works have been completed in full.
Protection against fraud
We have systems in place to prevent fraudulent activity. Before we approve an application, government officers inspect the property to ensure the works:
- will improve cyclone resilience outcomes
- are reasonably priced based on the scope of works.
When the works are completed, an officer reinspects the property to ensure the work has been completed to a satisfactory standard.
Only then do we pay the grant funds to the contractor.
Resources
- Resources – James Cook University
- Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
- National Construction Code
- Resources – QBCC
- Cyclone resilient building guidance for Queensland homes (December 2019) (Queensland Reconstruction Authority)
Next steps:
Contacts
For more information about the Household Resilience Program:
- phone: (07) 3007 4485 (option 1)
- email: strongerhomes@epw.qld.gov.au.