Browse Forums Bathrooms and Laundry 1 Nov 10, 2022 8:32 pm Hi everyone Hoping you might be able to give me some sage advice here. I had a bathroom renovation done a couple of years back and things have gone south quickly. I engaged an independent building consultant due to various concerns with the work, and he identified some defects. He also suggested there may have been other defects the builder had already covered over (after looking at my photos of the project). The builder denied some of the defects and failed to address others. Was there any onus on him to rectify at the time, or was he somehow allowed to just ignore the consultant and continue to do things 'his way' without addressing the issues? (which are not minor - they are structural defects). Cheers and thanks in advance Frazzled! Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 2Nov 11, 2022 8:50 am Hey Frazzled99 welcome to the forum You haven't explained what the defects are? Structural defects need to be checked by a structural engineer, otherwise, in my experience (as an engineer) the builder just ignores them. If the defects are of a serious nature and covered up an engineer will request scanning and urgent repairs to the appropriate authority. If there is a chance the defects become worse over a period of time say outside the structural warranty period, he will set up the way going forward, either way you shouldn't miss out. What use is taking photos yourself and not knowing the consequences of the defects and non compliance? OT, If you are in WA lodge a complaint with the Building commission make sure you have the engineering details, data/proofs, NSW is undergoing legislative reform to catch up. goodluck Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 3Nov 12, 2022 10:45 am Hi StructuralBIMGuy and thanks so much for the advice! The defects are serious and we have received a structural engineer's report, which confirms this. My question was more around the builder choosing to ignore the defects (or fail to carry out) remedial works when the defects were identified by the building consultant. The builder is now trying to blame the consultant, saying he is at fault for failing to ensure his recommendations were carried out! Probably a legal question more than a building one in all reality, but I'm just curious regarding any onus on the builder to 'obey' an independent consultant's report. A gnarly one! Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 4Nov 12, 2022 11:30 am A building consultant has no authority to direct a builder, the consultant's report is commissioned by the owner. If the builder disregards or otherwise fails to address legitimate issues referenced in the report when they are presented to him, then the consequences of those failures rest with the builder. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 5Nov 12, 2022 6:15 pm VERY helpful SaveH2O - thank you so much. Will be interesting to see what the lawyers have to say about all this! Really appreciate your input. Do you have a legal background? Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 6Nov 12, 2022 6:41 pm No. Building expert who posts on these forums is an ex builder and highly qualified building consultant. He has over 3,000 posts and a link to his website is in his profile. Is well worth a read. He has often presented as an expert witness against recidivist builders who have ignored reports. Ask your consultant if he does same. https://www.homeone.com.au/member/building-expert If you need legal advice, look for a construction lawyer. The Building Surveyor should be checking for structural faults. What State are you in? In Victoria, the BS is required by legislation to be appointed by the home owner although the VBA is slack on regulatory enforcement. In other States, the BS lives in the builder's pocket...the one that carries the wallet. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 7Nov 13, 2022 7:08 am Sadly for us, there was no building surveyor involved as there was no building permit issued for the work (when there should have been). Structural work was done without a permit (or my knowledge, any design or plan or my permission). We have a wonderful lawyer and are in VCAT right now. The queues are long! Thanks again and I will check out the building consultant you mention. He sounds excellent. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 8Nov 13, 2022 7:49 am Is the builder registered? Have you checked? 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 10Nov 13, 2022 7:27 pm 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 11Nov 14, 2022 5:09 am Because you have mentioned serious structural defects, I have assumed that the bathroom renovation did require a building permit as indicated. Have you read the VBA article linked below? https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/ho ... ls/permits 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 12Nov 14, 2022 8:02 am I have indeed! Thank you SaveH2O! The RBP failed to supervise the works or even attend during the reno. The plumbing is non compliant as well (confirmed by the VBA). It's a mess! Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 13Nov 14, 2022 9:03 am Non compliant plumbing is common unfortunately. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 14Nov 14, 2022 9:39 am Unbelievable. How did things get so bad I wonder. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 15Nov 14, 2022 9:53 am It happens when the regulatory body allows self certification (plumbing) and appoint non industry persons to run industry bodies. The VBA was also set up as a toothless tiger under Matthew Guy's watch but it has recently grown some teeth. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 16Nov 14, 2022 10:01 am They aren't teeth, rather dentures They're put in around election time and then taken out there after. Designer,Engineer (Civil,Const & Envir),Builder,Concrete & Masonry Contract.Struct Repairs Re: Newbie seeking help! Builder ignored consultant's findin 17Nov 14, 2022 10:05 am Ha harr! (well it would be funny if I wasn't a victim of it)! Thanks both. Now... onwards and upwards!! Re: Newbie seeking help! 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