Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Independent Building Inspections 5Apr 09, 2014 2:38 pm I'm in ACT, but the building is in NSW. You're quite right about access, but if your builder isn't mentally stable and refuses you access - literally locks the doors and windows - then you've got two main options - fair trading or the courts. Neither is quick, cheap or painless. DFT isn't cheap in the time it takes and you almost certainly will be appealing - we put in one complaint already and the case officer never contacted us, never contacted our solicitor, merely rang the builder who spun an excellent tale of bull, and then closed the case saying the builder was right! So while you're legally right about access, the more problematic is that the standard BC4 contract doesn't specify that the builder has to remedy anything other than what the PCA stipulates (note PCA, not PCI). Since the PCA is only interested in gross BCA issues (concrete footing are ok for example), and not whether the house actually meets the contract (ceiling light is in the right place for example), you need in the contract that the builder must allow a PCI, and then undertake to fix all remediation items that the PCI reports. I would expect a sane builder to be proud of their work. I would expect professional builders to be proud of their work and work professionally. Those sentences both have a little catch in them in our situation... Also, from the published work on the non-conformant or poor work and/or professionalism of builders in general, our situation isn't alone (see, for example, that about 6% of owners actually make complaints, while the unhappy owners not complaining has to be higher). You have mandatory building inspections and privately engaged building inspections. The difference between the two comes down to inspecting the building so it's safe and… 3 18083 That is a really good attitude Akin to you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. I do enjoy watching that tik tok inspector from Victoria but he does go a little… 12 81896 It is true that a builder can ignore your independent inspection report as it is not part of the contractual arrangement but that is stupid because he cannot avoid fixing… 9 46872 |