SJN Building Consultants

SJN Building Consultants

Thinking of joining the Owner-Builder club? Think again!

Thinking of joining the Owner-Builder club? Think again!

We all love a good renovation show but reality television has a lot to answer for the proliferation of DIY’ers enthusiastically slipping on the steel caps and strapping on the tool belt to tackle their own home building project. If your favourite home improvement show has you feeling inspired to become an owner-builder, what you’re …

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What you need to know about your building contract, before you sign on the dotted line

What you need to know about your building contract, before you sign on the dotted line

Just as there are different building projects, there are also different building contracts – each designed to ensure everyone’s rights and responsibilities are covered. Choosing the wrong one could prove perilous for your project and your wallet. Not all building contracts are created equally The most common type of contract – the fixed price contract …

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From building wars to Home Sweet Home: how to resolve a dispute with your builder

From building wars to Home Sweet Home: how to resolve a dispute with your builder

You’ve heard of Murphy’s Law – whatever can go wrong will go wrong – and that is certainly true of the construction industry. The most common building disputes between a home owner and builder involve defective workmanship or money – and sometimes it’s both. Regardless of the nature of the dispute, there is a path …

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Buyer beware: a home buyer’s nightmare thwarted in the nick of time

Buyer beware: a home buyer’s nightmare thwarted in the nick of time

When Maria and her husband inspected a 50-year-old home on the market in Sydney’s south west, they expected to come across some flaws and imperfections – after all, it was an ageing property. It wasn’t until they read about a myriad of costly and challenging gremlins in a pre-purchase inspection report that they pulled up …

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Dilapidation Reports: why you should never start work without one

Dilapidation Reports: why you should never start work without one

Builders and developers take note: before your next construction project gets underway, ask yourself whether you’ve commissioned a Dilapidation Report to formally document the existing condition of neighbouring properties and surrounding assets. Not having one could be a costly mistake – you risk becoming liable for any damages alleged to have occurred on your watch …

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Got a new construction project in the pipeline? Hiring a project manager could be the difference between success and setback

Got a new construction project in the pipeline? Hiring a project manager could be the difference between success and setback

Building a new home or a commercial development can be daunting. Taking on the process yourself can be even more overwhelming. A project manager can help you navigate the process by overseeing the entire project from start to finish but – more importantly – delivering it on time and on budget. What does a project …

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Pre-Purchase Inspection Reports

Pre-Purchase Inspection Reports and why you should never sign on the dotted line without one

Australians have long had a love affair with real estate and buying property is for most, the biggest – and possibly the longest – financial commitment they will ever make. But there is one crucial step to take to ensure your purchase is as safe as houses: arranging a pre-purchase inspection to avoid shouldering the …

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Pre-handover Inspection: what you need to know before you move into your new home

Practical Completion and Handover inspections: what you need to know before you move into your new home

After months of excitedly waiting, your dream home has finally been built and it’s now time to move in. But don’t rush to pop the cork on that bottle of champagne that has patiently been chilling; the celebrations must wait. Whether you are holding the keys to a new build or you’ve just completed a …

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critical stage inspections

Building a new home? How independent inspections can help you avoid the pitfalls of shoddy workmanship

It’s an all too familiar scenario: you’ve decided to build a new home and have spent endless hours researching the right builder to deliver your dream project. Doing your homework is important – you don’t want a builder that cuts corners and sacrifices workmanship. Unfortunately, even after you’ve completed thorough due diligence, rarely has a …

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From dream home build to nightmare dispute: the expert witness report you need for a successful resolution

Like so many before you, you’ve embarked on the great Australian dream of building your own home. But what started out as the perfect build can easily turn into a nightmare. When it comes to residential builds, it’s inevitable that sometimes things go pear-shaped. Disputes and disagreements between clients and builders are not uncommon – …

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