Category Archives: Building Reports

Builder insolvency, what will you do?

Yes it can be a financial disaster and you will need the best advice you can get to navigate through a minefield of conflicting interests and conflicting information and misinformation. On a recent “big bust” I was engaged to carry … Continue reading

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Shower leaks, forensic testing with thermal imaging.

Why are showers leaking and who is at fault? The correct answer to that question could help innocent contractor from taking the blame.In the case below, a waterproofing contractor was blamed for defective shower membrane and the consequential damage to … Continue reading

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Building insurance claim, Is your insurer dicking you around?

Last week I was called to a home storm damaged on 25th December last year and then again 2nd May this year. Elderly and frail owners were having problems with insurer’s builders constantly trimming back the scope of repairs and … Continue reading

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Asbestos risk in your home, it can be deadly!

Thousands of homes in Melbourne constructed before 1985 have asbestos cement sheets in and around home in various products. Today I came across a situation in which plumber had broken cement sheets in the laundry whilst fixing water leak. Not … Continue reading

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Building disputes, building reports, defects in new homes, what you should know.

If you have a building dispute and you need to take it further you will need professionally prepared building defect report to identify defects, reference them to breaches of warranty, breaches of contract and standards. You will then need estimate … Continue reading

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Your house wall has sunk, what will you do?

That was the question my client wanted answered when he booked defect inspection and report on his investment unit in Sunbury. He had already had several repair quotes from underpinning contractors but they differed wildly ( from $6500 to $15000) … Continue reading

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Building stage inspections, are they worth it?

This week I carried out pre final inspection on a big two storey home. This is what I said: Summary of the Report Findings:  This dwelling is well constructed and nicely finished and a credit to the builder. Only minor … Continue reading

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Pre purchase building inspection, building defects we find.

A nice home was inspected yesterday, but like most things in life, not perfect. In fact it was enough to have this purchaser worried. It’s at a time like this that it is essential that good and balanced advice be … Continue reading

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Building a new home? Does project management deliver?

Some people consider using project management contract as a way to retain control over their building project, flexibility to make changes and to save money that otherwise would be builder’s profit. But does it deliver? There is no doubt that … Continue reading

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Expert Witness evidence in VCAT prevails! Contractor wins judgment for payment 100%!

In this case a tiling contractor was not paid approximately $9000 for allegedly defective work and was facing trumped up owner’s counter claim of more than $70, 000, enough for anyone to get a splitting headache. The owner, a qualified … Continue reading

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