Kel
Building Consultants
Insurance
Owners Corporation & Insurance
Independent building assessments and defect investigations for owners corporations, strata managers, insurers and insurance professionals across Victoria. I aim to provide clear, evidence-based reporting on building defects, causation, rectification requirements and property damage claims.
Balcony failure and report in Strata Complex
Owners Corporation
Strata defect investigations
Independent investigation of common property defects to identify the nature, extent and likely cause of defective building work. Investigations can include site inspection, review of available documentation, photographic recording and assessment of identified defects. Where required, I consider likely causation, relevant building requirements and appropriate rectification measures, providing owners corporations and strata managers with a clear technical basis for determining the next steps.
Common Property Condition Audits
Independent assessment of building fabric and shared infrastructure to identify defects, deterioration and maintenance priorities. Assessment can include common property building elements and shared infrastructure to identify defects, deterioration, maintenance issues and areas requiring further investigation. Findings can be documented and prioritised to help committees understand the condition of the property, distinguish immediate concerns from longer-term maintenance items and make informed decisions about repair and maintenance expenditure.
Owners Corporation Dispute Support
Independent technical assessment and reporting for disputes involving common property defects, building work or rectification responsibilities. Depending on the matter, I can investigate defects, workmanship, causation and proposed rectification and provide independent technical findings to clarify the issues in dispute. Reporting and advice can support discussions with builders, contractors, insurers, consultants or legal representatives and assist the owners corporation in determining an appropriate course of action.
Tender & Quote Assessment
Independent technical review of rectification scopes and contractor quotations before works are awarded. I review proposed rectification scopes and contractor quotations to identify differences in scope, exclusions, omissions and proposed repair methodologies. This helps owners corporations compare quotations on a like-for-like basis, understand what is actually being offered and make a more informed decision before committing to rectification works.
Insurance
Insurance damage assessments
Independent inspection and technical reporting to establish the nature, extent and likely cause of building damage. Assessments can include site inspection, photographic documentation, review of available claim information and investigation of the reported damage. I provide independent technical findings to assist insurers and insurance professionals in distinguishing between building defects, deterioration, maintenance-related issues and damage associated with the reported event.
Scope of Works Preparation
Detailed independent documentation of required rectification or reinstatement works following building damage. I prepare detailed scopes setting out the rectification or reinstatement works required following building damage. A clearly defined scope gives contractors a consistent basis for pricing, assists with comparison of quotations and reduces ambiguity around inclusions, repair methodology and the extent of works required.
Building Reinstatement Assessments
Independent assessment of the works required to appropriately reinstate a building following damage. I assess the building and available documentation to determine the appropriate extent and methodology of reinstatement works. This can include review of proposed repairs, identification of related building issues and consideration of the works reasonably required to return affected building elements to an appropriate pre-damage condition.
Scott Schedules & Costed Defect Assessments
Itemised assessment of disputed defects, rectification requirements and associated costs for negotiation or formal proceedings. Where a matter becomes disputed, I can prepare or contribute to itemised schedules documenting individual defects or damage, technical findings, proposed rectification and associated costs where required. This provides a structured basis for comparing competing positions, narrowing areas of disagreement and supporting negotiation, expert discussions or formal dispute proceedings.
Moisture testing after water damage to
apartment building
Flood test to common property access way before tiling
How I can help?
A clear process from initial enquiry through to independent assessment and reporting.
01
INITIAL DISCUSSION
An initial phone conversation to understand the issue, the parties involved and the type of assessment or reporting required.
04
INSPECTION ARRANGEMENTS
Site access is coordinated with the relevant parties and a suitable time is arranged for the inspection.
02
SCOPE & FEE PROPOSAL
I define the proposed scope of services and provide a written fee proposal outlining the assessment, deliverables and applicable fees.
05
SITE INSPECTION & ASSESSMENT
I undertake the independent site inspection, document relevant conditions and investigate the defects, damage or building issues within the agreed scope.
03
ENGAGEMENT & DOCUMENT REVIEW
Following acceptance of the proposal and execution of the service agreement, relevant plans, reports, correspondence, claim information and other available documentation are provided for review.
06
REPORTING
I prepare and issue the independent report setting out the assessment, findings and recommendations relevant to the agreed scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I provide before an assessment?
Any available information relevant to the matter should be provided before the inspection where possible. This may include plans, building permits, previous reports, photographs, correspondence, maintenance records, insurance claim information, quotations and details of the issues requiring investigation. The documents required will depend on the scope of the engagement.
Can you act independently for an owners corporation or insurer?
Yes. My role is to provide an independent technical assessment based on the available documentation, site observations and matters within the agreed scope. Findings and opinions are reported objectively and are not influenced by the commercial interests of builders, contractors or other parties involved in the matter.
Do you need to inspect the property before preparing a report?
In most matters involving building defects, damage or condition, a site inspection will form an important part of the assessment. The requirements are confirmed when the scope of services is established, as some engagements may also involve document review, technical advice or review of existing reports and proposed rectification works.
What happens if the matter develops into a dispute?
If a matter progresses into a dispute, the scope of my engagement can be reviewed and extended where appropriate. Further services may include additional investigation, defect or causation assessment, rectification advice, technical reporting, Scott Schedules or assistance to legal representatives, depending on the circumstances and requirements of the matter.
Do you need to inspect the property before preparing a report?
In most instances yes. Timeframes depend on the nature and complexity of the matter, the extent of the inspection, availability of relevant documentation and the type of report required. Expected inspection and reporting timeframes are discussed when the scope and fee proposal are prepared, and urgent requirements can be identified at that stage.