If you are building a new home, renovating or adding an extension, check progress and talk to your builder about any issues. You can engage an independent building consultant to check the construction work meets your contract requirements before making stage payments.
The building surveyor will inspect work to check it meets building laws. Your builder must give you a copy of each building inspection outcome in writing. You can also ask your building surveyor for a copy of this document.
Make sure you:
- provide the builder with items you agreed to supply, on time. For example: materials such as tiles, or a service such as a mosaic artist to work on flooring
- put the details and costs of any changes in writing. You and your builder must sign off on the changes before the building contractor starts the work
- make stage payments when the construction work for each stage is complete. Do not make payments in advance.
Visiting your building site
You automatically have rights to visit your building site.
You have the right to ‘reasonable access’ at any time during construction (under the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995, Section 19). This right applies even if you sign a contract that says otherwise - for example, limiting your visits to business hours only.
What is reasonable will depend on the situation. For example:
- Your builder informs you on Friday that the foundation stage is complete, and the slab will be poured on Monday.
- You want your technical adviser to inspect the work to ensure building defects are not hidden in the process.
- It would be ‘reasonable’ for you to have access to the building site on the weekend, at least.
You should always consult your builder to discuss occupational health and safety issues before entering the site.
If you interfere with the carrying out of building works, the builder will not be responsible for costs or delays resulting from your actions. The builder must notify you within five business days, in writing, of the cost or delay.
For free advice and assistance, contact us on 1300 55 75 59.
Last updated: 16/05/2012