Expensive building disputes, which can run into tens of thousands of dollars, in most cases can be avoided with careful planning, proper supervision and building a good relationship with builders and tradespersons, Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, says.

Archicentre South Australian State Manager Jim Jovanovic says even small issues such as builders or subcontractors arriving with their dogs on site or setting up a blaring radio on site for everyone in the neighbourhood to hear can escalate into a dispute.

Mr Jovanovic says Archicentre is often called in as an independent body to provide a report on the quality or appropriateness of structural or completed work to try and resolve disputes over renovations.

“In many cases, this can be traced back to where there is confusion between the builder and the client at the contract stage over the standard of finish required as signed off in the tender specifications, such as the number of coats or type of paint to finish woodwork or wet areas such bathrooms and kitchens.”

Mr Jovanovic said organising a renovation is comparable to running a small business and conflict can occur with owners who do not have knowledge of the processes, legal responsibilities of owner builders or how to identify products specified being used.

“Where Archicentre architects are involved in assisting people manage their renovations the details in the contract are clearly defined in the beginning including the agreed overall design.

“This is vital as most cost blow outs on renovation jobs occur when the clients change their minds and the builder has to undertake variations which can cause time delays, purchasing of new materials, arranging of new contracts and in some cases redesigning drawings—all of which, when combined, can add significant costs.

Mr Jovanovic says renovation is a complex partnership between all parties which brings people from all walks of life together as a team often to complete very expensive projects over a short time.

“How people get on together can often mean the difference between a pleasant experience with a great outcome at the end or a renovation nightmare of personal and expensive legal conflict where no one wins.”