Attention OTs! How To Choose a Reliable NDIS Builder for Home Modification Projects

Attention OTs! How To Choose a Reliable NDIS Builder for Home Modification Projects

Occupational Therapy and Home Modification builder discussing blueprints

Building a more accessible home for NDIS participants hinges on two critical factors: the first is the role of the Occupational Therapist. The right modifications, prescribed by an OT and tailored to participants and their needs, can make a huge difference.

The second critical factor? The builder.

For Occupational Therapists who support NDIS participants, partnering with a trustworthy and reliable NDIS builder is essential. The right building partner is the key to ensuring that prescribed modifications are implemented properly. It’s the difference between modifications that support residents for years, and:

  • Modifications that don’t function as intended
  • Repairs and replacements
  • Ongoing challenges for participants

With the growth of the NDIS, there are more and more builders offering NDIS home modification services. Finding the right one to partner with can be challenging. Today, our NDIS home modification builders are going to discuss some of the things OTs should look out for when sourcing builders.

 

Home modifications and Occupational Therapy

How to become an NDIS-registered builder, and why choosing the right builder is so important for OTs

While there are some home modifications that can be carried out by any builder, it’s always best practice for OTs to choose one that’s NDIS-registered.

Becoming an NDIS-registered builder means meeting a range of extra requirements like:

It’s these extra requirements and standards that ensure home modification projects are carried out to a high standard. They ensure OT home modification proposals are rugged, durable, and reliable in execution.

Of course, it isn’t just NDIS participants who benefit from these higher standards. There are plenty of ways Occupational Therapists can also benefit from choosing NDIS-registered builders…

Better participant outcomes

And we aren’t just talking about workmanship and build quality, either. Choosing the right builder can also affect timelines, with good builders helping avoid delays and ensure participants receive the modifications they need in a timely manner. It also ensures clinical recommendations translate better into real-world outcomes.

Protect your professional reputation

Using NDIS builders who offer low-quality work doesn’t just reflect badly on them. Poorly-built modifications that require frequent repairs don’t just hurt the builder. They can also reflect poorly on Occupational Therapists too, and hurt their reputations. Choosing a reliable builder can protect OTs from the risk of reputational damage from low-quality modifications.

Streamlined workflow

Choosing NDIS builders isn’t just about workmanship. A good builder with experience in NDIS-specific projects and who’s familiar with standards like AS1428.1 and NDIS Housing Design Guidelines can ensure a smoother, more efficient project with less back-and-forth. That means less time managing home modification projects, and giving OTs more time for the other important parts of the job.

 

How Occupational Therapists can choose an NDIS builder

1) Look for an NDIS builder who speaks fluent Occupational Therapist

Quick, effective communication between Occupational Therapists and NDIS builders is the key to an efficient and painless project. It’s especially important for OTs who may be juggling multiple participants, reports, and stakeholder meetings.

And if the builder demonstrates an ability to understand and refer to clinical reports, all the better! When choosing an NDIS builder to partner with, OTs should prioritise one who understands Occupational Therapy jargon. A builder who “speaks fluent OT” will be able to collaborate much more effectively than one who doesn’t:

  • Builders can refer directly to OT reports and briefs, reducing the need for back-and-forth
  • Lower risk of mistakes or miscommunications affecting the project
  • Ability to provide support and play an active role during the planning and application stages

2) Look at their past projects

NDIS home modifications cover a wide range of different updates, additions, and changes. Every participant has unique goals, meaning that no two home modification projects are unique.

When choosing a builder, Occupational Therapists need to ensure they choose NDIS-registered builders with experience in the specific modifications prescribed as part of a project. For example, if a project requires mobility ramp installation, OTs will need to check whether the builder understands the various council rules and accessibility standards surrounding them. If the project involves home automation, it can be worth investigating whether a builder’s experience is limited to off-the-shelf solutions or also includes custom systems.

One of the easiest ways to gauge a builder’s grasp on NDIS home modifications is to find examples of previously completed modifications. That can mean case studies or before-and-after photos, as well as references form other OTs where possible. It’s important to look not only at the finished result, but also how well it has held up under daily use.

3) Check Their Understanding of Funding Processes

When choosing an NDIS builder, Occupational Therapists should find a building team that understands how NDIS applications and funding work. They should have a deep understanding not only of the process itself, but how they can contribute at each step, from quoting all the way through to invoicing.

This can include knowing:

  • What information is needed to support a home mods application (e.g. breakdown of scope, contingency amounts, GST)
  • How to write and understand Building Works Project Manager reports
  • Which home modifications are likely to be approved for NDIS funding

A builder who knows their stuff will be able to support OTs during the application process, plugging in knowledge gaps and providing additional experience. All of which can increase the likelihood of a funding application being approved.

4) Look for Builders Who Also Offer Project Management

Occupational Therapists may occasionally be engaged by NDIS participants with higher needs that can only be supported with complex home modifications. For such projects, NDIS may provide funding for a Building Works Project Manager (BWPM) to oversee and coordinate building works to reduce issues and ensure that projects stay on track.

While this may not be important for minor projects, it’s an important consideration for OTs who wish to support participants with more complicated needs.

Finding an NDIS builder who offers BWPM services allows Occupational Therapists to support a wider range of participants. It allows OTs to take on more complex projects confident that they have a partner they can rely upon to manage the entire process and ensure it’s carried out to a high standard.

(Important information: Building Works Project Managers must be independent – the BWPM cannot also be engaged in carrying out the project.)

5) Think Long-Term: Are They Invested in the NDIS Space?

With the growth of the NDIS, there’s been significant growth in the number of builders offering home modifications. It’s estimated that the scheme will grow by 12% in the 2024-2025 financial year.

And with this growth comes an increase in registered providers, including NDIS builders. There are many building companies responding to this demand by adding NDIS home modifications to their services.

However, as many Occupational Therapists have discovered, choosing a recent entrant into the NDIS market can be a risk:

  • Do they have extensive experience on NDIS-specific projects, not just general construction?
  • Are they familiar with Australian accessibility standards and NDIS Housing Design Guidelines
  • Can they understand OT reports, functional assessments, and goals?

When choosing a builder, OTs should choose one that’s committed to the NDIS space for the long haul. That means a builder who specialises in NDIS home modifications and treats it as a core part (if not the entirety) of their business, not just as a side gig. OTs can rest easy knowing that their builder can be relied upon for future projects.

 

Occupational Therapy and Home Modifications

Choosing the right NDIS builder isn’t just about making sure ramp have the right gradient. It’s about choosing a professional partner who can be relied upon to collaborate, meet deadlines and NDIS standards, and help deliver life-changing outcomes for participants.

Unlike other NDIS-registered builders, Restore Home Modifications was founded by Allied Health professionals. We speak fluent OT and are able to:

Most importantly, we understand the importance that home modifications in supporting safety and independence. That’s why we put participants’ needs first and foremost of every project, using our understanding of construction, the NDIS, and Occupational Therapy to provide modifications that perfectly match participants’ goals and needs.

Whether you’re an Occupational Therapist looking to build partnerships or an NDIS participant self-managing their plan, our team can help. Get in touch with our NDIS building team on 1300 333 746, or by clicking here to request a quote.

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