Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jun 20, 2014 10:13 am Here I did the inspection and the report with recommendations to make a VCAT claim. Owners instead opted for a free service "Hi Branko It’s been nearly a year since you’ve done the inspection for us at the abovementioned address. Believe it or not – we still have problems with the property leaking (it is actually worse now). We’ve managed to use your report with the building commission to at least get the builder to engage, but at his own convenience and leisure. When it rains, he refuses to go out to see where the place is leaking, and when it’s dry, he cannot always attend, as he’s at another site, hence major delays in getting anything done. He’s been on site a couple of times however, and have done ‘some work’ e.g. re-tiling of the front balcony, and making use of a lot of silicone. Our tenants has already gone to seek legal advice and have made compensation claims against us for more than $3000 and is no longer wanting to pay full rent either. They do however want to stay on in the property. I’m awaiting a phone call from the building commission again, but I’m assuming I know what the answer is going to be, hence my email to you tonight. The brutally simple message of this story is that if you expect free service don't expect much except to waste your time and flush your money! Once you have wasted your time you will find it will cost you a lot more to get it right. Your call Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 2Jun 20, 2014 11:36 am What was that expression that a cheap job costs you twice or something...? That has been my experience in the past too BE. The old adage that " You get what you paid for " is never more truer than when you are talking about the building industry. Stewie Re: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 3Jun 20, 2014 12:19 pm building-expert Owners instead opted for a free service What was the "free service"? I'm sorry but after our experiences, I have my own take on the "you get what you pay for" mantra as regards the building industry. In fact, "you get what you pay for and ensure you get"! We paid and didn't get because we didn't know you had to do the "ensuring" part. We just assumed that people who tell you they are giving you quality, are actually doing so. Re: Some never learn, if it's for free it's a waste of your 4Jun 20, 2014 12:55 pm Liliana building-expert Owners instead opted for a free service What was the "free service"? I'm sorry but after our experiences, I have my own take on the "you get what you pay for" mantra as regards the building industry. In fact, "you get what you pay for and ensure you get"! We paid and didn't get because we didn't know you had to do the "ensuring" part. We just assumed that people who tell you they are giving you quality, are actually doing so. Free service is provided by state government for consumer complaints via Building Commission and CAV where the reports are disgrace and not worth the paper they are printed on (you recently commented on one I posted you said"it's pathetic") and where there is no enforcement. So in many cases it's a waste of time (unless builder cooperates) Yes you are right Liliana, you often don't get what you have paid for because people are either naive or careless with their investment. It's wrong! Until 10,000 angry homeowners march on parliament house and take it over nothing will change. There are too many comfortable lives feathered by owner's misery. In the example above owners settled without getting pre final inspection and apart from serious defects I have found that neither approved plans were followed nor the endorsed PP plans. It's not just about defective works but also cost cutting, substitution and omission. After selling units off the plan developer has diddled owners (my guess 40K x 40 units= 1.6M). NOT A BAD BONUS over and beyond usual 30% profit on development. Anyone care to settle without competent inspection? Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog That sucks! Hope it all works out. Good to move away from steel anyway for all your reasons, but it's also thermally poor. 16 17723 6 11468 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 13761 |