Stephen: Correcting faults with the building is the responsibility of the builder, but
only while the building is under warranty.
Generally, this only lasts six years. Any faults not discovered during this period then
become your responsibility. Now, in today's blog, we discuss some of the
common faults and the responsibility and costs associated with correcting them.
Okay, now as I understand, one of the biggest
complaints that the building services council receives, Australia-wide,
is a result of water penetration, and particularly in bathrooms. Can you elaborate on that?
Klaus: Yeah, look, it's the biggest complaint.
Stephen: So why do bathrooms leak? Klaus: Generally because the work is not carried
out correctly. They don't leak straight away, but they'll leak in the years to come.
Stephen: Is that a reflection of the materials that are used?
Klaus: It's probably more a lack of and certain procedures that they use. Like for us, for
example, with all our water trays, our shower recesses, we actually now drop
them down 100 mil, and we bring our villa board right down into that space. So
even if, worst case scenario, the waterproofing failed, it's actually dropped
below the main level of the slab. By the very nature of human beings, they want
to take shortcuts. You know, there is some builders out there, where they'll
do the bare minimum and I'm just not doing that, because I don't want the problem.
Stephen: So typically a consumer ... I buy
a house, and I've got a leaking shower, and it's
leaking into the next room, how much time do I have under the builder's
warranty or guarantee to go back and say ... Klaus: Six years.
Stephen: Six years. Klaus: Only six years.
Stephen: Only six years. Klaus: Yeah. So if anything happens after
that six year period... that's why we provide a
25 year guarantee on the home. Stephen: A 25 year guarantee.
Klaus: Which is ... Stephen: The standard is six years, you're saying 25
Klaus: 25 years.
Stephen: How do you do that? How do you get the confidence to do that?
Klaus: Well, have you been to Rome? Stephen: I have.
Klaus: The buildings have been standing there for thousands of years.
Stephen: They have. Klaus: Look... a home, built correctly, not
taking any shortcuts, should be lasting a minimum of a hundred years.
You just don't take shortcuts. Stephen: I think the key word I hear is
"built correctly." So doing it right the first time. Klaus: Yeah, yeah. Just using good product,
good tradespeople, and a bit of integrity mixed in amongst it all, you know?
I don't want the problems either. I don't want a client to be ringing me 20 years later because
their house is falling apart. I don't want the hassle of it.
Stephen: So a client that's got a leaky shower after six years, the builder just says ...
Klaus: Essentially, yeah ... Stephen: ... my responsibility, the house is finished.
Klaus: Yeah. I've gone back ten years later and fixed a leaky tap.
Stephen: A leaky tap.
Klaus: A leaky tap. Stephen: Ten years later.
Klaus: Ten years later. What a schmuck. [LAUGHS]
Stephen: McCarthy Group builders stand behind their work. They offer a warranty period
way beyond the statutory requirements. Like anything, buying quality upfront
will certainly save you in the long run. Give us a call to find out more