Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 30, 2015 11:21 pm Hi all, Thinking that my build situation couldnt get anyway worse, where it is now close to 2 years since the build of my house has started and the builder going bust, I found out that somehow the stump inspection stage was not carried out or approved, but yet somehow sub floor and frame stage had already been passed! And now, the building surveyor (who issued the building permit) is claiming that it was the builder's fault for not calling up for the stump inspection stage, and that I am now responsible for getting an engineering certificate to prove the work. However, since the sub floor stage (which sits on the stumps!) AND the framing stage has somehow been passed by the building surveyor, the build is already well passed its lock up stage and getting some engineer to inspect would mean digging up the finished flooring (polished tassie oak and tiles) to check that the stumps and depth were indeed done correctly. This would be a very costly exercise costing over 15K to rip out the finished flooring and then reinstating it (and this is assuming that the stumps was installed correctly to the depth of 1.5-1.7m deep!). My question is, isn't it up to the building surveyor to ensure that stage inspections are done in the right order, and that any problems should be rectified before subsequent stages can be passed? To me, it doesnt make any common sense that a framing stage can be passed before foundation stages have been approved. Luckily, I do have enough evidence and confidence that the work for the stumps were indeed completed correctly. I also have enough evidence that the stumps should have been inspected together with other foundation stage. However, the building surveyor is trying to push all the blame to the builder and not take any responsibility for his action. I have consulted several lawyers (as well as the VBA) and they all agree that the surveyor is negligent in this matter and should be responsible for the cost to verify the stump stage. What do people here think? What is the role and responsibility of the building surveyor and isn't it to ensure that things are done correctly in stages so that it doesnt cause problems for the latter stages? Any input (especially from buidling surveyors here) would be much appreciated. I am quite stressed about the whole situation. Thanks. Re: Dispute with the building surveyor 2Jan 30, 2015 11:25 pm If you've spoken to the VBA then you don't need any more advice. Re: Dispute with the building surveyor 3Jan 31, 2015 10:00 am Tblhayward, there's a bit of a story to that as I didnt get a straight forward answer from one person as the VBA. I spoke to to two people at the VBA, the first person said, "It is the building surveyor's responsibility to ensure that thing's are done correctly", without clarifying what is "correctly". I then asked a different person asking if "ensuring stages are approved and appropriately in the right order" falls under "correctly" and they said yes. So not quite a straight forward answer and hence I would like to get an idea of what people also think. Re: Dispute with the building surveyor 4Jan 31, 2015 10:58 am Unfortunately,This is yet another case where you should have gone straight to an engineer who did the drawings for certification, because Bulding Surveyors are unable to certify non-compliance...you are now back at square one having had the framework certified. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Dispute with the building surveyor 5Jan 31, 2015 1:30 pm Hi BuildNewbie, I wouldn't be relying on any advice from the VBA that isn't in writing. If you want the VBA to investigate the issue it will take some time but if I were in your shoes I would be lodging a detailed complaint with supporting documentation with the VBA regarding the building surveyor and taking legal advice about pursuing him in VCAT for negligence. Unfortunately you can't rely on building surveyors to do anything more than rubber stamp your build as we have found. Re: Dispute with the building surveyor 6Jan 31, 2015 5:02 pm Have you checked that they are not on the Disciplinary Register?... http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/building-practitioners-board yes it does, you've just not understood it. theres a difference. 4 5341 go upvc window frames ensure insulation under colorbond. not just sarking, lighter color roof also not sure if you have seen this viewtopic.php?t=5823 last couple of pages… 4 110592 |