Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Aug 22, 2013 9:31 pm Hi everyone i need advice for my building i am building two units one is double storey and one is single . they have partition wall in between. my construction starts this year January 23 ,2013. my builder is just finish the frame stage in seven months he is very slow . i requested him too many time that when he is going to finish the units .he never gave me response back . he starts lock up stage. IN frame stage there is 30 pages of defects reports and un fortunately i already paid the money for frame stage.He is not doing rectification as well and doing further work which is lock up stage .Please give me advice do i need to go to the lawyer for legal advice. Please tell me the VCAT is good for consumer or for builders . How much it cost if i go to VCAT . Re: need adivice for my building 2Aug 23, 2013 10:38 am Go to your solicitor and also get an independent building report from a licensed and insured building inspector someone like "Building Expert" on these forums. http://www.homeone.com.au/member/buildingexpert Stewie Re: need adivice for my building 3Aug 23, 2013 7:57 pm As above, you need to get lawyer who specialises in this area. You will also need to get an independent building inspector in. When requesting your report, ensure that you ask for a VCAT compliant one. Gather all correspondence/communication you have had with the builder and start collecting all your photos you have taken as well as taking many more of the build. Read your contract carefully and ensure that you understand all that is contained. Do you have liquidated damages (compensation when the build goes over the completion day to the client). Have you got any compliance certificates? Get a build diary organised and stop calling the builder - write to them and send the letter by registered mail. Record any conversations you have with them from now on. If you are in dispute with your builder it is recommended that you go through the Building Advice and Conciliation Victoria (BACV) which is done through Consumer Affairs. The new Building Commission set up is still a work in progress and they are not dealing with mediation etc at the moment. The BACV is a mediation service but cannot make anyone do anything but if you go to VCAT it might look good that you tried to resolve the situation that way. VCAT is expensive and you will have to pay for expert witness ie your building inspector. IYou cannot represent yourself and you will need a solicitor and barrister. It takes about a year to get to the hearing. However, even if you do win at VCAT, it doesn't mean that the builder will have to pay the costs awarded. Clients sometimes have to go through the Magistrate Court to get their money. You can look at VCAT decisions at http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/vic/VCAT. Thank you so much for the effort. We will use it to talk with builder. We also had idea of building duplex instead and seeking suggest ions. viewtopic.php?f=31&t=106744 11 10740 Hello It is good to have a planned bathroom reno to suit your budget and design, living for 10 years I think you need a bathtub 4 7911 Looking to start the journey of becoming an owner builder in SA. Feeling pretty (overly) confident on the building and construction details, but really struggling to find… 0 5786 |