Expert Witness Reports

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Did your builder leave you with a house full of defects? Are they refusing to acknowledge and fix them? Let our inspectors investigate the issue.

At Owner Inspections, we can provide you with our expert knowledge to help guide you through this tough process. All our inspectors are registered with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and have a wealth of experience. Our inspectors can support you through this difficult time, offering advice and mentoring for the best results. 

All services are in line with the official Australian Building Act and National Construction Code (NCC) for your peace of mind. If you find yourself in a legal dispute, Owner Inspections is here to help you.

Expert witness reports play a significant role in all building and construction disputes. The way a report is prepared and the content of the report must be given careful consideration before the report is finalised. 

Experts should consider what is unnecessary or potentially detrimental in preparing a report. The report must be factual, comprehensive, clear, and supported by standards and construction codes to be understood and acknowledged by authorities.

There are 4 key areas where experts must pay close attention. These are:

• The inadvertent disclosure of privileged documents
• the preparation of working notes and drafts
• providing opinions outside the scope of their expertise or instructions
• proper cost estimation of the damages.

We understand how challenging the building process can be. That’s why we’re here to help you understand your rights and how to exercise them.

You can contact Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) or VCAT at any time. In some cases, you may wish to have your already closed case with DBDRV evaluated by VCAT following an unwarranted outcome.

In these scenarios, we can offer expert advice and guide you through the process of making your voice heard and understood by legislative organisations. Following this, Owner Inspections is trained to provide honest industry knowledge and support as a case witness in court if necessary. 

VCAT and DBDRV disputes can be actioned by several parties involved in your build. These parties include the owner, builder, other tradespeople, or even the architect. 

If you have any questions about our special purpose inspections for formal disputes, please contact us directly on 1300 470 805. We can discuss your needs in more detail and provide you with a quote.

Before you begin your dispute process, there are a few steps you must take to ensure the process is as smooth as can be.

At Owner Inspections, we advise you to keep a log of your communications with your builder. This can be used in your tribunal if necessary.

We can assist you with your eligibility on the next steps you must take. For example, we can advise whether you should go through DBDRV or directly to VCAT. We can also tell you how to execute this.

In urgent circumstances, it is essential that you go straight to VCAT. At Owner Inspections, we can help you with this decision and assist you with the journey.

The documentation we prepare and provide is a compliant legal document that carefully outlines the matter in question. We endeavour to precisely analyse problem(s) and highlight all associated concerns by reporting on all comparative factors in relation to the core problem. This improves your chances at tribunal level and provides you with a wealth of evidence in accordance with your building contract.

We recognise that you are more likely to successfully resolve your official dispute if you are organised and thorough. Owner Inspections can inspect your property urgently and on time and can obtain photographic evidence for use in court, all while giving sound advice on your next steps.

Our inspections encompass the latest technology in construction evaluation. We use thermal imaging scanners that can detect moisture in various areas of the property. We also have state-of-the-art high-resolution cameras that pick up both subtle and major defects. 

Each expert witness inspection is conducted with technical drawing plans (architectural and engineering) in mind. We understand that each build is unique. We put time and effort into reading, analysing, and comparing your plans to your build, highlighting any discrepancies that will withstand in court, ultimately improving your chances of success.

Please take a look at our sample report for the quality of reporting that we offer.

You can have an investigative report completed at any point during your build. 

If you have a dispute with a renovation or extension, we can help take the stress away. Contact us today to find out how we can assist.