Site Supervisor vs Independent Inspector

jamiet · Feb 05, 2008 7:56 pm

Hi Folks,

For the people who have employed independent inspectors, did you have issues getting the builder to fix all the issues identified?

I ask because my site supervisor has agreed to fix most of the issues my independent inspector has found but there were a couple of building code issues where the supervisor disagrees with the inspection report. These issues are fairly minor to fix (although the defects aren't that minor).

The approach I've taken is to document both the agreements and disagreements with the site supervisor, indicating why my inspector and I disagree with the site supervisor. I've forwarded the documentation to my CSR with a request to escalate the dispute to higher management should there continue to be disagreement.

Is there a better approach? What have other people's experiences been?

Thanks,
Jamie

Casa2 · Feb 05, 2008 8:11 pm

Your building inspector should have listed the applicable standard that is in deviation. It's then a simple matter of getting that bit of the standard and undertaking the objective measure that is written. Something is either within Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards or it's not. It's black and white and depending on which side of the limit you fall, it has to be fixed or not.

Colleen · Feb 05, 2008 8:20 pm

Is it possible to suggest that, at your builder's expense, a second independent (not someone the builder chooses) inspection is conducted. That will act as a second opinion... of course if the 2nd opinion disagrees with the 1st opinion do you then get a 3rd opinion :lol:

As Casa2 said, if it's not to standard then it's not to standard. The burden is on the builder, in my opinion, to prove that it is to standard if he disagrees with the inspection.

Let us know how you go with the CSR.

mattwalker · Feb 05, 2008 10:37 pm

jamiet,

As Casa said it is very simple.

Your building inspector will tell you if there is an issue. There are standards and tolerances that must be adhered to throughout the building process.

If your inspector says it must be fixed (and remember he is independant) he is most likely correct.

The onus is on the builder to disprove why the repair etc should not be undertaken not the other way around.

Ask your builder for a copy of the building code pertaining to that particular fault/problem and pass it onto your builder.

Good Luck!

jamiet · Feb 05, 2008 11:31 pm

Thanks everyone,

Some of the excuses I was given was "the truss was attached according to manufacturer's specifications", so I've asked for the specifications from them that state their fixing method is OK. I also got the obligatory "Council OKed this wall". I doubt Council will overrule the building code but anyway, at this stage, I've given the builder the documentation and I've also invested $40 in subscribing to the Building Code of Australia online edition (12 days of access non-consecutive).

I can always check the code at my leisure if my inspector is not available.

Cheers,
Jamie

mattwalker · Feb 05, 2008 11:42 pm

jamiet

Thanks everyone,

Some of the excuses I was given was "the truss was attached according to manufacturer's specifications", so I've asked for the specifications from them that state their fixing method is OK. I also got the obligatory "Council OKed this wall". I doubt Council will overrule the building code but anyway, at this stage, I've given the builder the documentation and I've also invested $40 in subscribing to the Building Code of Australia online edition (12 days of access non-consecutive).

I can always check the code at my leisure if my inspector is not available.

Cheers,
Jamie

Heres is something I was told once.

"The manufacturer will always have 'specs' but whether they meet the standards is always open to professional interpretation."

We had an issue with the sanding of our window sashes. The manufacturer said the ripples were within tolerances but according to the standard it was outside allowable tolerances.

The windows were refinished.

Manufacturers will also quote tolerances etc. They even write letters stating the same.

This equates to nothing in most cases.

jamiet · Feb 07, 2008 6:09 pm

Thanks again Matt.

This story has a happy ending. Today, I received a call from the Construction Manager. He told me they're going to fix all the issues and some additional issues the Construction Manager found. Once complete, the Construction Manager has asked my inspector to meet him onsite to make sure the additional issues are documented and all the issues are fixed to his satisfaction.

Very happy.

Cheers,
Jamie

mattwalker · Feb 07, 2008 6:44 pm

An excellent result.

All builders should take note of this outcome.

Well Done!

ahuang · Feb 07, 2008 8:01 pm

Good to see things work out in happy ending!

I guess in things like this happened again, one weapon owners can use is: delay your payment!

jamiet · Feb 07, 2008 11:35 pm

Allan,

Actually Howard told me NOT to delay payment for defects (unless it is the last payment) because nothing sets off alarm bells in a Builder's office like failing to pay progress claims because there are a few defects. While you may be well within your rights, it's often not worth the trouble and delays it may cause.

Cheers,
Jamie

ahuang · Feb 10, 2008 7:58 pm

Don't quite agree about that, depends on the situation and how you communicate/negotiate with your builder.

In our case, before Xmas, there was a huge rush and the quality drops. We received the bill and wasn't very happy about it. We emailed and called them saying, as it's Xmas time, this bill will be paid, but with the long list of defects raised by us and our own inspector, if they were not fixed we won't be paying the next one that easily.

Then early January was the big leaking plus lots of other extra issues, their accounts still send us the next bill but we refused to pay because of all the outstanding issues.

My blog then got the attention of their senior managements due to those negative comments, they then worked very hard to fix most of the issues in the past 2 weeks.

We will review our defect list next week again with the supervisor, and unless most of the issues are resolved, we won't pay the latest bill. And most imporantly, I won't be that nice this time and will certainly post it on my blog if necessary!