Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Sep 26, 2011 12:06 am We've been in our new home since October 2009 and for the most of it are happy but... After 3 months we had a list of a dozen or so defects, nothing too serious. The problem is trying to get the builder to deal with them is like pulling teeth!!! What started as minor leaks in all 3 showers (something wrong there) has now ballooned to damaged architraves, damaged vanity units, damaged floor boards and cracked tiles. We occasionally get someone out and they put a bit of silicon here and there. Our emails and phone calls now come to more than 40 as not even the managing director calls me back. We are thinking with our 2 year anniversary we should trying taking action some where else. Can anyone who’s been in a similar situation give us some advice? Is Consumer Affairs Victoria where we should start? Re: Defects with New Dimension Homes 2Sep 27, 2011 12:37 am Sorry to hear about the issues that you have been having It sounds like taking the issue further will need to become a certainty, so make sure you keep records of all your correspondence as this will be required in a dispute, and also make sure you have copies of all your contract documentation. You could try Consumer Affairs, otherwise someone more specialised like the HIA Vic should be able to point you in the right direction and may be able to arrange mediation before it gets taken even further. In WA, if the issue needs to go further we have the Building Disputes Tribunal which handles issues that have not been resolved between builders and owners, it appears that your equivalent would be either VCAT or the Building Commission: http://www.vcat.vic.gov.au/CA256DBB0022 ... g~&2=~&3=~ http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/ww ... ppeals.asp Be aware that if it goes as far as a tribunal you should get legal advice first, as you will need to make an appearance at the tribunal, and the associated costs for the hearing must be paid by the party that is found responsible. Re: Defects with New Dimension Homes 3Sep 27, 2011 3:17 pm Thanks for your advise CA3105 I have checked with Consumer Affairs Victoria who have a particular form / procedure for dealing with domestic building comlpaints. Our builder is not refusing to do the works, just that has taken 2 years to do what could have taken 1 1/2 days and still hasn't fininshed. It's a shame that the building contract doesn't allow for us to hold money (say 5%) for a period of maintainence (say 1 year). I'm sure money is more of an incentative than reputation. Hi All, I engaged a tradie to install concrete retaining wall 600-800mm high over 32 meters in Victoria. Sleepers are 200*75*2000 mm installed over 17 steel posts. I… 0 3732 1 7842 All 3 items listed are defects and are of concern. Please seek qualified independent inspector and/or legal advice for your state. 1 6297 |