There are really only two scenarios. The first one is when the owner genuinely does not know it is in best interest to get professional help or does not know where to look for it.

The second is when the owner knows but chooses not to, perhaps rationalising cost saving but then playing Russian Roulette.

In the following case a couple bought substantial dwelling off the plan from the developer and then proceeded to settle even after being lied to and misled about the defects. They now have a serious problem. A basement structure(a habitable room) has developed serious dampness issues. The dampness cannot be cured without substantial excavation, tanking and rebuilding waterproofing and drainage. To make the matters worse the dwelling is close to a very deep engineered drain and any type of excavation repair work will interfere with the engineering of the drainage.

I am a builder with over forty years of experience in difficult repair jobs and I for one would not look forward to repairing this dwelling.

The cost to repair is likely to be astronomical. What can we learn from the above?

DON’T BUY FROM THE DEVELOPER OFF THE PLAN, IF YOU MUST GET PROFESSIONAL HELP BEFORE YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT OR YOU MAY DEARLY REGRET IT.

The cost of not getting expert advice may be more than 100 times than the cost of getting expert advice. Think about it! Can you take the risk? Do you need to?