Which Report Best Suits My Needs?

 Pre-Construction &/or Demolition 

If you are about to embark on a building project, it is a good idea to first obtain a dilapidation report on the pre-construction condition of neighbouring properties and / or the condition of council assets (such as footpaths, kerb and gutter, roadway, trees, etc). A dilapidation report details the condition of the relevant items prior to the commencement of construction, and again at the completion of the works if required, providing protection against future claims for damage which may be alleged to be as a result of the construction works on your property. For more about dilapidation reports, click here

Under Construction 

Whether you are an investor, live some distance from the construction site, or simply don't have the appropriate construction knowledge to perform your own checks, it is crucial to know that appropriate progress is being made on your project. Progress payment claims are usually in the tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars and unfortunately unscrupulous builders have been known to make claims in excess of the work completed on site to improve their own cash flows.

Often this is a sign of a builder who is under financial strain, and the money may not be used to fund  your project. Regular progress reports, particularly at progress claim stages under the contract, can provide peace of mind that your builder is delivering exactly what you have paid for. For more about progress reports, click here

At or Near Practical Completion

A practical completion or handover report provides an independent assessment of the quality of the work prior to final payment and possession of the building. Many builders assure building owners that they have engaged their own independent handover consultant to inspect the building prior to handover day. Whilst the vast majority of these companies are more than reputable, the fact remains that it is difficult to be truly independent if they are being paid and most likely receiving repeat business from the builder.

The practical completion report ensures that all items requiring attention by the builder are duly noted, and if necessary attended to prior to handover, thus ensuring that the building is ready for occupation, as well as protecting your rights in relation to statutory warranties. For more about practical completion reports, click here

 Under Warranty 

In NSW. the builder is responsible for minor defects for a period of two (2) years after practical completion of the dwelling, and for six (6) years for major defects. If a problem with any part or parts of the building arises within the statutory warranty periods, and your builder is not initially willing to attend to the issue, an independent defect inspection and report is a good way of properly identifying the issue and establishing if it is in fact a defect in accordance with the National Construction Code, the relevant Australian Standards, the manufacturers installation recommendations and / or the relevant accepted building industry tolerances. Understandably, your negotiating powers will be far greater with an expert report in hand.

In addition to the identification of specific issues, overall building defects inspections and reports provide details on any issues identified during a complete internal and external inspection of the building.  Usually builders request that any minor or 'settling in' defects which arise within the first months after practical completion are listed and provided to the builder at  the six month mark after practical completion. An overall defects identification inspection and report at this stage ensures that all issues and often potential issues are submitted to the builder for his attention. Similarly at the two year and six year marks, identification of any issues that are considered the responsibility of the builder is key.

Alternatively, if you are an owner / builder and require an expert to report on any building issues that require attention as you near the end of the project, a comprehensive defect report combined with a scope of work for any rectification necessary is an important step towards achieving timely completion and / or home warranty insurance coverage for the works. For more about defect reports, click here

Older Buildings

Even at the expiry of the statutory warranty periods, building issues can and will develop which require an expert investigation and determination on the most appropriate way forward to a satisfactory resolution. Often we find that when problems arise, everyone seems to be keen to provide an opinion to the building owner on both the cause of the problem and what should be done to fix it. This can lead to confusion and sometimes even costly rectification that does not actually resolve the issue.

Unfortunately some tradesmen and builders may give misleading or incorrect advice either due to lack of expertise or even in some cases to secure themselves a project. Engaging a consultant provides an independent expert way forward including scopes of work and professional cost estimating to give clarity to the process. For more about the addition of a scope of works and / or cost estimate to a defects report, click here

Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Litigation

Unfortunately there are times when it appears the only way forward for resolution of a particular building issue is litigation. This is by far the least favourable way forward for any building dispute, as litigation can become extremely costly and time consuming. If you find yourself heading down the path of litigation, (aside from obtaining legal advice as soon as practicable), a building consultant with the correct qualifications, experience and personal attributes may well be the make or break of your case.

You will need a building consultant that will be regarded by the court as an expert in their field, who is well versed in the requirements in relation to the different requirements for expert reports including Scott Schedules, and the provision of evidence including when under cross examination. Even if you don't believe you'll ever end up in court over your dispute, it is important to know that your building consultant is up to the task should the need arise. For more about expert reports and litigation matters click here

For a full list of reports and services we provide click here

For free expert advice or to book an inspection get in touch with us today