In the current insurance landscape, the pressure to reduce claim costs is relentless. We hear it in every meeting with insurers and claim managers: “Keep the costs down.” It is a directive that comes straight from the top, driven by shareholders and boards looking at the bottom line. It is understandable. When claim volumes spike […]
Author Archives: Andrew
news, quantity surveying and cost assessments
Beyond the Claim: Why Strata and Property Managers Need Independent Maintenance and Valuation Reports
08
Apr
Apr
If you are a Strata Manager or a Real Estate Agent, your inbox is likely a never-ending stream of maintenance requests, compliance notices, and insurance renewals. It is a high-pressure role where you are constantly balancing the demands of owners, tenants, and committees. At Morse Building Consultancy, we see the challenges you face when things […]
building reports, construction dispute resolution, damage reporting, news, site investigation services
Preventing Post Summer Insurance Disputes: Ensuring Quality in Storm Repairs
09
Feb
Feb
Back‑to‑back hailstorms and gales in late 2025 hammered homes across south‑east Queensland and northern New South Wales. The Insurance Council of Australia declared a catastrophe across more than 140 postcodes and said over 16 000 claims were lodged. With tradespeople in short supply the stage was set for disagreements over repairs. This article outlines why disputes […]
engineering services, independent engineers, news
Independent Engineering Services In Complex Claims: How To Avoid Costly Structural Surprises
28
Jan
Jan
In late November 2025 severe storms pounded eastern Australia. The Insurance Council declared a catastrophe and more than 16 000 insurance claims were lodged across 140 postcodes in south-east Queensland. This is not an unusual story, as Australian’s we a use to wild weather catastrophes, but are our property’s? Witnessing builders shore up hail-damaged property, […]
building consulting, disaster assessment, news
Disaster Assessment Done Right: Lessons From Recent CAT Events For Insurers And Property Owners
21
Jan
Jan
In recent months, Australian communities have been hit from all sides. On the New South Wales Central Coast, fast moving bushfires have destroyed homes and triggered natural disaster declarations, with more properties lost in other regional parts of the state. In Tasmania, townships around Dolphin Sands and Glenlusk have faced emergency bushfire warnings and significant […]
engineering services, independent engineers, news
Certified vs Registered Engineers: What Owners Need to Know in Australia
17
Jan
Jan
Australia’s construction sector is tightening professional standards after several building failures. New state laws require many engineering tasks to be carried out or signed off by registered engineers, while Engineers Australia’s Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) credential remains a respected marker of expertise. For insurers, loss assessors and property owners, knowing the difference if between certification […]
engineering services, independent engineers, news, structural engineer report
Solving Complex Construction Challenges: Independent Engineering Advice for Property Managers
05
Jan
Jan
A week of rain, a line of leak alerts and three lift stops out of service. That is a typical Monday for many strata and property managers, and it is where evidence beats opinion. This guide explains how to commission and use independent engineering advice so decisions are defensible and works proceed without rework. Independent […]
news, building reports, construction dispute resolution
Navigating Construction Disputes with Independent Expert Advice
21
Dec
Dec
Across Australia, more owners are asking for independent construction disputes expert advice when builds stall, defects surface or variations spiral. This piece sets out how evidence is gathered, why standards matter and what credible documentation looks like so you can make informed decisions without the noise. Early warning signs that merit expert attention Patterns seen […]
news, damage reporting, disaster assessment
Helping Insurers Respond Faster: The Benefits of Quick Storm Damage Assessments
14
Dec
Dec
When summer cells line up across the coast, claim volumes can double before lunch. Independent quick storm damage assessments help carriers meet Code timeframes, contain secondary loss and keep communications factual. The Insurance Council’s declarations framework and Code of Practice set expectations for timeliness and clarity, so speed with evidence is not optional. Summer surge: […]
disaster assessment, news
Summer’s here, the fuel is dry: what insurers need to watch this bushfire season
01
Dec
Dec
At 7 am the air is still, by lunchtime a northerly lifts dust off the paddocks and smoke plumes start to show on the horizon. December has that switch-like quality in Australia, and the difference between a busy week and a catastrophe often comes down to how quickly carriers and brokers read the signals and […]