Category Archives: news

After the 2025 NSW and QLD floods, insurers, loss adjusters, brokers, strata managers, real estate managers and commercial owners need a defensible disaster assessment that separates event damage from pre-existing defects, identifies safety risks and sets out compliant reinstatement. Clear, evidence-based reporting reduces uncertainty, supports fair claim decisions and helps buildings return to service safely. […]

When a property claim lands on your desk, clarity and defensibility matter. We are often asked whether to commission building reports or an engineering report. If the claim involves structure, many insurers will request a structural engineer report prepared and signed by our registered engineers. What is a building report? A building report is prepared […]

Quality construction is what every property owner or manager hopes their building was delivered with. It underpins the asset’s performance and long-term value, supporting durability, reducing maintenance needs, and contributing to the overall safety and reliability of the structure. It’s also a marker of a sound investment—something that should stand up to time, use, and […]

Structural damage isn’t always visible during an initial inspection. Movement can occur below the slab. Water ingress may travel behind wall linings. Cracking that appears minor may relate to broader structural shifts. These issues are often suspected based on secondary signs—uneven floors, elevated moisture readings, or known exposure to water or ground movement. These conditions […]

Construction disputes are rarely straightforward. Claims often hinge on technical details: What caused the issue, who was responsible, and whether construction standards were met. These are not easy questions to answer without expert input. Insurers, brokers, and body corporates rely on construction expert witnesses to provide that clarity. Independent evidence helps uncover the what, why […]

One of the questions we are asked a lot as independent building consultants is: How are you independent when you are engaged by an insurer? It’s a fair question. In complex claims and disputes, of which there are many, being challenged like this is understandable. When someone sees a report commissioned (and paid for) by […]

Summer brings a sharp uptick in risk for property portfolios across Australia. Severe storms, bushfires, and flood events can strain claims teams and put pressure on both insurers and brokers to act quickly and decisively. Extreme weather events, including severe bushfires, intense heatwaves, and significant flooding, marked Australia’s 2024–25 summer season. Western Australia experienced its […]

When structural issues appear in a building, one of the first steps is to commission a structural building report. This provides a technical overview of the building’s condition and helps identify the likely causes and severity of the damage. When workmanship is in question, the report becomes especially important. It may be the first formal […]

The recent floods in Queensland during March 2025, followed by severe flooding on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales just a week ago, have left homes, businesses, and communities struggling to recover. When the waters recede, the real work begins—making properties safe, identifying the full extent of the damage, and planning for repair. […]

When building insurance claims are contested, it usually comes down to questions of evidence. What caused the damage? Was it due to poor construction, lack of maintenance, or a specific event? Is it covered by the policy, or is it excluded as wear and tear? These questions are rarely easy to answer without technical expertise. […]