Hi all,
just wondering if it is worth chasing an ex builder for outstanding amounts following a domestic building insurance claim where the DBI doesn't quite cover the full amount that…

I'm wondering if anyone knows what the requirements are of a builder to be eligible to hold Domestic Building Insurance for proposed works. https://www.dbi.vmia.vic.gov.au doesn't say…

in our situation the structural work by the previous builder was defective and the house was almost completed, and our structural engineer recommended surefoot over the usual stumps or…

The number of aggrieved former customers of smith and sons extensions and renovations appears to be increasing.
There is a private facebook group for these homeowners "Victims of…

Is it still possible to make a claim against the RBS professional indemnity insurer after the RBS declares insolvency?

would it make any difference if the AS2870 requirements for the works were stated in the approved building permit documents?
I see there are a few disciplinary actions on the…

There seems to be plenty of franchise building companies that do new builds (eg GJ Gardner, Metricon, Stroud, etc) but I've only noticed two companies that are in the extension…

Thanks for that. There seems to have been a huge growth of 'building consultants' in recent times who are selling their 'expertise' in conducting building inspections on your home…

I've heard that some applicants are taking their cases to the county court instead of VCAT due to the covid induced backlog. Apparently multi day cases have a 14 month…

if the plumber won't provide a compliance certificate, this is grounds for a complaint to the VBA, in addition to his refusal to complete the works.

I would add that the private building inspection industry in Victoria is not well regulated. Other states require them to be licensed by the relevant building authority but that is…

The VBA has recently changed their stance towards complaints about builders which are undergoing a VCAT process. Their previous position was that they would not investigate until an outcome from…

In Victoria, aggrieved customers have to go through DBDRV before they can go to VCAT, which just adds to the wait.
According to the DBDRV website
https://www.dbdrv.vic.gov.au/dispute-resolution-process
the dispute…

New Home Inspectors tends to attract quite a few former builders from the Smith and Sons Extensions and Renovations franchise to work for them as inspectors. At least one of…

another mob in Victoria who claim that they only use currently registered builders as their inspectors is
https://www.yourbuildinginspector.com.au
it isn't mandated in Victoria to be registered builder to…

what if you don't already have a pre-existing relationship with someone who can prepare the drawings, engineering and specifications. What do you do then?
What are the extra costs they…

What should we do instead Chris?

Be careful with Rawdon Hill Homes aka Rawdon Hill Constructions. They have had their share of being respondents in VCAT disputes.
https://jade.io/article/799591
https://jade.io/article/686498
caveat…

I would be grateful for advice on how to best interpret on line reviews of builders. There are many review sites out there, and many of the larger companies have…

We had a similar experience. In Victoria the plans from yarra valley clearly stipulate that the sewer map they provide is a 'guide' only. Unless the builder asked you to…

Yes this is a big and organised industry these days which means that we can't trust most on line reviews. Might be worthy of a brand new thread.

Agree with you completely Splashers. Add Smith & Sons Extensions and Renovations to the list. It is no unheard of for franchisees to give 5 star reviews of other franchisees…

Yes there's often useful information on austlii; it is worth noting that not all cases are published on austlii. These building consultant reports that are furnished for the courts are…

If you hire an inspection company, many of them have several inspectors working for them, so you may not end up with the person who runs the company. Get the…

the austlii web site contains some transcripts of VCAT cases against builders. Take a look at
http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/sinos ... field=full
some of the cases may not be relevant…

on the question of sourcing a builder's history I notice that the Qld web site puts other states to shame. They will include a full disciplinary history, insurance claims, and…

We hear a lot about builders becoming insolvent or being deregistered but I would like to know what these ex registered builders do for work following these events. From what…

These GJ Gardner franchisees have gone bust.
GJ Gardiner Homes Bathurst
https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/stor ... -collapse/
Hunter Valley
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/fam ... lfdq1.html
Ipswich
https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/ ... 8aada527e0
Onkaparinga

You could still claim for non liquidated damages which can include rent and loan interest if you have moved out. Just because you have waived your right to liquidated damages,…

you may still be able to make a claim for non liquidated damages (eg general damages, entailing rent, loan interest), even if liquidated damages is specified as nil. Take a…