A building dispute may involve negotiation, a regulator, a tribunal or a court. The suitable route depends on the facts and the rules that apply.
Raise it in writing first
Keep the contract, variations, invoices, photographs and relevant correspondence. Prepare a dated summary of the problem and what you are seeking.
Building Commission NSW
Building Commission NSW provides official information and channels for home building complaints, licences and regulatory enquiries. Check the current guidance for the type of problem you have.
The tribunal
NCAT, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, hears building disputes. Its own site sets out what it hears, how an application is made and what happens at each stage.
Negotiation, mediation and expert evidence
Ask whether negotiation or mediation is appropriate and what technical evidence may be needed. Keep existing reports and ask before commissioning further work.
The courts
Ask which court or tribunal can consider your claim and whether any preliminary steps or time limits apply. The amount or complexity of a dispute alone does not answer every jurisdiction question.
Practitioners who work in this area are listed under building and construction in the directory, and matters about the land rather than the work under real estate. The guides explain how the directory is put together and what a listing is.
General information, not legal advice. It does not take your circumstances into account and does not create a lawyer and client relationship. Lawyers of Sydney is operated by Jameson Law; listings describe individual practitioners and firms, and a listing is not a recommendation.