Enable New Zealand Video 1

Video details

Video title: Enable New Zealand Video 1

Video URL: Enable New Zealand Video 1

Video duration: 10:19

Video transcript

[Background music playing]

(Male presenter)

We understand that you may have experienced changes in your life, and we're here to support your journey as your home is modified to meet your injury-related needs. But who are we and what do we do?

Enable New Zealand is contracted by ACC to co-ordinate the national home modification service and to provide expert housing advice and independent moderation to ACC and their clients.

We have a large network of people that make up our team, including consultants, contractors, professional occupational therapy advisors, housing advisors and customer service facilitators.

The Enable New Zealand team connects and works with an even wider housing network of councils, and specialist services such as engineers and surveyors as required.

Throughout this process we’ll work closely with you, ACC, your assessor and the team carrying out the modifications.

Whether you've experienced renovations before, or whether this is the first time you've undertaken changes to your home, the process can be overwhelming.

Video one: outlining the modification process

This video will provide you with an overview of our service and an understanding of the people involved in helping you to modify your home.

Additional videos will explain the key stages and more detail as you approach them.

Enable New Zealand provides a range of services from uncomplicated rail and ramp installation through to the more complex additions and alterations.

Each situation is unique and your ACC case manager has already been in touch to request that we become involved.

ACC informs us of your needs through a referral process that includes forwarding us the housing assessment information, that was provided to ACC by your assessor.

The modification work might change the size of a space, or it might change the purpose of a space, but rest assured everything we do will be tailored to yourself and your family.

Modification types

A distinction is made as to whether your modifications are considered minor, standard or complex.

This will ultimately impact on the amount of time it takes to complete your modifications and the number of people involved.

If your modifications are minor, such as the installation of handrails, they will be completed quickly as they don't require extensive plans or consents.

If your modifications are standard, such as an access ramp, they may require plans to be drawn and some council or industry compliance to be submitted, but overall the process will be straightforward.

If your modifications are complex, there may be a raft of factors to be resolved, and the planning and construction may require specialist expertise.

These projects will typically also require applications for council or industry compliance and this can extend time frames.

We’re here to make the modification go as smoothly as possible and to minimise disruption on you and your household.

A standard to complex home modification is likely to take up to 90 working days on average as design and consent, construction and building industry activity takes time.

The majority of modification projects flow very smoothly, and while the duration of your modification will depend on your specific needs, we will keep you up-to-date with the expected time frames as we know them.

During the process

We operate as your expert advisors throughout the home modification process and as part of our service Enable New Zealand will work with you and ACC to provide the best modification outcome for your situation.

We’ll listen to your needs and advise on the best options based on our extensive experience.

We’ll ensure you have the right people on the job at every stage of the process, and we’ll guarantee their professionalism and safe practices in your home.

There can be a lot of paperwork required to meet council and industry regulations and we will take care of all of the details on your behalf.

Whatever stage your modification is at we’ll communicate with you regularly throughout the process so you’ll always know what to expect.

So let's take a look at the key steps in the process.

Step one: scope of works

Following a review of the ACC referral information and your housing assessment by our professional advisor and housing advisor, Enable New Zealand develops a scope of works, or design brief.
We then provide the scope of works to the consultant. We engage a consultant who will coordinate an initial site visit with yourself, ACC, and your assessor.

This meeting will consider the design of the modification of your environment in response to what you need, and get the planning phase underway.

After the initial meeting, the consultant will go away and consider all relevant information as they develop a preliminary plan for your modifications.

It's important that you're engaged in the process and have the information you need to make decisions so if you're unsure about anything, please just ask us.

One thing to keep in mind during the modification process is that only areas affected by the work will be made good.

If you would like to discuss extra options, such as the painting of nearby walls, this will be at your own expense, however we are happy to talk about how it might happen as part of the same job.

If you're thinking about using your own builder or managing the modification yourself please let ACC or Enable New Zealand know, this is called the contribution and oversight process.

Step two: consultation and design

The consultant will provide Enable New Zealand with preliminary plans for your modification.

There are many factors to consider for your home modification and the preliminary plans will take into consideration that each modification is different and our goal is to ensure your specific needs are met.

Enable New Zealand will consider

We realise you may be living with others, and their needs will also be considered.

The current condition of your home can have an impact on the options, and this will be discussed with you in the initial stages.

The plans must meet ACC's recommendations for your modification, and our consultant will also allow for any recommendations from industry experts.

The time frame for this part of the process can depend on whether your modifications are major or minor, however we will give you an indication of what to expect.

Once we receive the preliminary plans we work directly with ACC and your consultant to ensure your needs will be met.

Step three: consent and project

We work with all relevant parties to ensure the proper consents are in place and the right people for the job are engaged.

Much of this part of the process happens behind the scenes, and while there may be moments when it feels like not much is happening in your home, Enable New Zealand will be busy completing the steps to get your project underway.

During the process

Enable will consider the preliminary plans to ensure they meet the scope of works for your modification.

ACC approval is necessary at specific times in the service.

Once satisfied with Enable New Zealand's recommendations and plans, ACC will be in touch to obtain agreement for the preliminary plans.

Once ACC approval is received Enable New Zealand will engage the consultant to prepare the final working drawings and plans.

Based on the final plans we will complete a tender process and call for quotes to get the right professionals for your job.

All contractors will be vetted and guaranteed by Enable New Zealand.

We will then commence any activity required for building compliance, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

You may also be contacted by contractors who wish to visit your home in order to complete their quoting process.

If at any stage you are unsure about the plans or the process, or you need more information, please contact your consultant or Enable New Zealand.

Construction in a home can be stressful and during this phase you may need to move to temporary accommodation.

We will provide more information during the construction video about how we can support you through this with a minimum of disruption.

Step four: construction

With the planning underway you'll need to prepare for the construction phase.

The scale of the construction work depends on the modifications plan for your home. There maybe one or two people on site, or a team of people working to get the job done.

Before the construction work starts there’ll be a meeting at your home with all relevant parties.

At this meeting you'll be advised of who will be on-site and when they'll be there and we’ll provide you with a clear plan for the timeframe and type of work being completed.

This meeting will be your opportunity to ask any questions about the building work and schedule before construction commences.

Step five: final sign-off

Once the work has been completed it's time to make sure you're satisfied with the modifications.

As your expert advisors Enable New Zealand is keen to ensure that the work meets your needs and is completed to a professional standard.

If you have any concerns about the modifications to your home, we want to hear them.

That completes the introduction to Enable New Zealand and the overview of our service.

The modification process and our service can be complicated, however rest assured we will take care of all the hard parts, such as council requirements, getting the plans drawn up and engaging the contractors.

We understand that these modifications may be happening at the same time as rehabilitation or other changes in your life, so if you have any questions or you need more time, please, keep communicating with us.

Enable New Zealand is here to support your journey and ensure the outcomes are positive.

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