Defect investigation or expert witness report: which one in Officer?
Two different reports for two different jobs, and how to tell which you need.
In short: An investigation finds the cause. An expert witness report is evidence for a tribunal.
The investigation
Addressed to you and your builder to work out what is wrong and what fixing it involves.
The expert witness report
Written to the VCAT practice note, with the expert's duty to the tribunal set out.
When to switch
If the builder refuses to act and you are heading to the Building and Plumbing Commission's dispute resolution service (formerly DBDRV) or VCAT, you need the second.
Starting point
Most owners start with an investigation; many disputes settle once the cause is clear.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Officer. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
