Insurers and brokers need decisions that are defensible, not just persuasive. When a claim involves structural adequacy or complex reinstatement, building and structural consultants for compliance give you a clear, auditable path from site evidence to a lawful repair scope. MBC pairs licensed building consultants with registered engineers so files move with measured facts, quantified scopes and National Construction Code alignment.
Australia’s claims handling expectations emphasise fairness and transparency under the General Insurance Code of Practice, which makes independent technical evidence central to reducing dispute risk.
Building and structural consultants for compliance explained
Compliance consulting links what failed to why it failed and how to put it right within the Code. Our team produces a building report that documents causation, safety risks and the rectification pathway with quantities suitable for tender through our building reports service.
Typical triggers include:
- conflicting contractor opinions after storms, impact or movement
- work that was never certified or varies from approved plans
- event damage overlapping long term deterioration
- high value repairs where apportionment and compliance matter.
How insurers use expert evidence to make decisions
Good instructions and transparent methods reduce variance and speed settlement. The Insurance Council of Australia outlines better practice for commissioning and managing independent experts in its guidance on expert reports. MBC reports are built for the file: plain language conclusions, testable assumptions, photo logs, measurements and a measured scope that can be priced.
When a structural assessment is required, our registered engineers record calculations and limitations so conclusions can be checked at internal review or hearing.
NCC compliance and auditable pathways
The National Construction Code sets performance requirements for safety, health, amenity and sustainability, so reinstatement must meet current compliance rather than like for like. We reference Deemed to Satisfy provisions or Performance Solutions and cite any relevant Australian Standards so the repair method is traceable to the Code in the report.
Where wind actions or tie down checks are required, our engineers verify design demands against current standards and then align fixings, fasteners and drainage capacity with the compliance pathway set out in the NCC.
Decision guide for adjusters
- Frame the decision. State whether you need make safe advice, fitness for occupancy or a completion certification for reinstatement.
- Plan the evidence. Ask for intrusive checks where safe, moisture profiling or level surveys through our site investigation services.
- Request decision ready outputs. Seek a quantified scope, NCC references and clear event versus condition findings in the building report.
- Align to policy. Distinguish sudden and accidental damage from progressive failure with time stamped photos that can be traced in the file.
- Keep the audit trail tight. Ensure samples, raw readings and calculations are retained against the claim number.
Case study example: compliance gap uncovered during roof reinstatement
A low rise commercial tenancy suffered roof damage after a summer storm. Two contractor quotes disagreed on the cause of internal water damage and the extent of replacement. MBC’s building consultant inspected the roof and ceiling void, documented impact dents at penetrations, mapped wet insulation and reviewed drainage sizing against current NCC roof drainage provisions. The structural engineer checked tie down connections along the load path and verified wind region demands. The report separated wind driven rain entry from long term overflow at an undersized valley junction and set out a rectification scope that included compliant flashings, targeted sheet replacement, batten refixing and drainage upgrades. The insurer authorised event related works and the owner proceeded with code upgrades, with scope quantities suitable for competitive tender.
Why partner with Morse Building Consultancy
MBC is a national building consultancy that delivers insurer grade evidence for compliance and risk management. Our reports are written by licensed building consultants with input from registered engineers, and they include clause based reasoning, photographs and a measured scope that stands up to audit. You can review our credentials and independence on About us.
Ready to brief a compliance sensitive claim or standardise evidence across your portfolio? Contact us for a fast, compliant response.