Building Dispute Resolution Services
Building and Plumbing Commision Dispute Resolution & VCAT
It is an extremely stressful time when your new home has building defects. It is usually best to try and resolve the dispute with your builder directly.
However, this is not always possible. Sometimes a builder may refuse to rectify the defects or not even respond to your requests.
If this is the case, you need to escalate the matter to get it resolved. That’s where we can help, as we provide building dispute resolution services.
We offer our building dispute resolution services to homeowners in Melbourne and surrounding areas, including the Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Yarra Ranges, Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire and Phillip Island.
Price on application for these services.
Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC)
You first need to try and resolve the dispute directly with your builder. If this is not successful, you can escalate the matter through the Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) dispute resolution service.
The main exception is when your dispute involves only a single tradesperson engaged directly by you to undertake specific work, such as plumbing or electrical services.
At New Home Building Inspections, we assist homeowners by providing a comprehensive Building Defects Inspection Report to support the dispute resolution process through the BPC.
This report provides an expert, independent, and unbiased opinion based on Australian Building Codes and Standards. To make the report as clear as possible, it includes photographs of all defects.
Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
If your dispute cannot be resolved through PBC, then the next step is to escalate the matter to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). This may seem quite daunting, but it is a necessary step if other avenues have not resolved the matter.
To support your VCAT application we can provide our independent expert evidence. There are two ways we can present our expert evidence to VCAT. These are:
- providing a written report and / or
- being an independent expert witness before VCAT.
At New Home Building Inspections we are experienced in preparing VCAT compliant legal documentation that outlines the defect(s) in dispute, as well as presenting as an independent expert witness.
Price on application for these services.
Steps to Resolve your Dispute
The following are steps you can take to assist in resolving the dispute with your builder:
- Try to resolve the issues with your Builder directly. It is recommended that you have an Independent Building Inspection
- Report that lists all the defects to show your Builder when you communicate with themKeep communication lines open with your Builder. In addition, make sure you keep a record of them
- If you are unable to resolve the dispute directly, apply to the DBDRV and have a comprehensive Building Defects Inspection Report prepared to support your claim
- If you are unable to resolve the dispute through the DBDRV then apply to VCAT. Have VCAT compliant legal documentation that outlines the defect(s) in dispute prepared. If required, also engage an Independent Expert Witness to appear before VCAT.
