The truth: most builder problems are visible up front — if you know what to ask.
Most remedial jobs don’t go wrong because the works were complex.
They go wrong because the builder was never vetted properly.
No process. No QA. No accountability.
We’ve built this page to help you spot red flags early — and avoid being the one explaining a disaster to the OC, engineer, or insurer six months from now.
These are the 8 questions we recommend asking before you appoint any remedial builder. You can use them in tender interviews, engineer reviews, or committee meetings.
| ✅ Question | Why It Matters | Check (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| Do they quote line-by-line to the engineer’s scope? | Prevents variation wars and “that wasn’t included” disputes | |
| Do they issue a methodology before starting? | Shows they’ve actually thought about access, sequencing, safety | |
| Can they show a sample Closure Pack or QA record? | If they’ve never built one, they don’t have a system | |
| Are they compliant with AS standards (e.g. 4654.2)? | You’re not just buying labour — you’re buying compliance | |
| Can they show time-stamped QA photos? | Proves what happened, when — and that they won’t just say “trust us” | |
| Do they use ITPs with hold points? | Engineer + legal protection. No shortcuts. | |
| Are SWMS / licenses shared upfront? | Basic governance. If they hesitate here, walk away. | |
| Have they worked with engineers / strata / legal teams before? | Experience with politics and pressure means fewer surprises |
Here’s how you know a builder’s about to cause problems — before they’ve even started.