When you first meet a builder, it is hard to tell how the relationship will go. You may find the most seemingly pleasant builder in the world, only to find out during the construction process that he is a nightmare to deal with. Lack of effective communication, accountability and a general bad attitude are never good qualities in any kind of contractor.
So, what can you do when your builder is being difficult? One of the common problems that homeowners encounter is disadvantage due to poor knowledge of construction. There are building codes with which your builder must comply. You also have to worry about the materials being used and the general standards in construction being employed.
A builder dispute is a situation that no homeowner wants to end up dealing with. When you are building a home, it is good practice to have construction stage inspections carried out by a qualified and experienced building inspector. While the report that you receive from the building inspector will list defects, the builder may not agree with the findings.
You are now in a stand-off and need a way to resolve the dispute. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and construction is delayed. If you have issues with payment, defective work that doesn’t meet relevant standards, or there have been costly delays, you have the right to raise a dispute with the builder.
Builder Disputes, Northern Territory
Thankfully, there is help and advice available to homeowners and developers on the Northern Territory Government Website. The first step should involve attempts to mediate the dispute with your builder. Remember, too, that the builder has something to lose if the dispute continues. Builders rely on their reputation to remain in business. Disputes also prevent many builders from moving onto other projects.
You can attempt to mediate the situation without help but it is often useful to have an independent mediator who is unbiased. More often than not disputes can be resolved during mediation. Follow the guidelines available on the NT.Gov website to find the right route for mediation for your specific dispute.
Payment Disputes
Minimum standards surrounding payment disputes, which apply to both parties, makes resolving payment disputes tricky. Before you hire a builder, make sure you are familiar with your rights. Payment is an area of construction that drives the project. Always ensure that your investment is protected.
Take advantage of the government resources available to you before, during and after a new build or renovation. It is important to hold your builder to the highest standard, otherwise you are simply throwing money down the drain with each defect, delay and payment dispute.
Building Inspection
Ideally, you should have independent stage construction inspections carried out. As the name suggests, stage construction inspections occur after each stage of the build is complete. There are a number of reasons why this is the best strategy for homeowners and developers. Finding defects when a build is complete makes it difficult to rectify certain issues. There is also the peace-of-mind of knowing you are dealing with issues as they arise. All work must comply with the Building Code of Australia and the Australian Standards AS4349 as well as any relevant Northern Territory codes and standards. You are therefore entitled to make a complaint if building work is not up to standard.
If you would like help before disputes arise with builders, call Houspect today 1300 258 789 for more details on building inspections. We have the experience and knowledge of current codes and standards that you need to help a build go smoothly. All our building inspectors are qualified builders so the gold standard in service is guaranteed.
