Builders fined for not keeping building surveyor in the loop

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has penalised and reprimanded sixteen practitioners in the past two months for not meeting their mandatory notification obligations under the Building Act 1993.

The VBA’s Director of Compliance and Enforcement, David Brockman, said that builders’ failure to notify meant that important construction stages could not be assessed to make sure key structural and safety requirements were met.

“This is a concerning trend. When a building permit requires the builder to notify the building surveyor of the completion of a stage of work, the builder must do so without delay,” Mr Brockman said.

“Mandatory notifications give the relevant building surveyor the opportunity to assess the work before further construction is undertaken.”

The breaches occurred across Victoria, in areas such as the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury, Daylesford, Hawthorn East and Officer.

In one case, a builder failed to notify their relevant building surveyor of the completion of the sub-floor framework for a house, required by the building permit.

As a result, the building surveyor was unable to assess the sub-floor after it was covered by further building work.

Building surveyors who become aware of a builder’s failure to comply with the mandatory notification requirements are obliged to notify the VBA in line with the Act.

“Builders who fail to notify their surveyor of the completion of each stage of work and plough ahead with construction risk serious consequences,” Mr Brockman said.

Victorians wanting to engage a builder or plumber can visit vba.vic.gov.au/find to find a licensed or registered practitioner.

The VBA has an online consumer resource portal with information for anyone who is experiencing issues with builders or plumbers.