Remedial Engineering · NSW · New South Wales
Sydney façade remediation
Forensic report identified critical waterproofing failures across a high-rise residential façade in Sydney.
$1.2M settlement- Building
- 12-storey Class 2 residential
- Defect
- Façade waterproofing & cladding interface failure
- Forum
- NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Standards
- NCC, AS 4654.2, AS 3600
The dispute
An owners corporation in inner-Sydney reported persistent water ingress across multiple levels within five years of practical completion. The builder denied liability, arguing the symptoms were maintenance-related. Our expert was retained under the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 to provide an independent forensic engineering opinion on causation, extent and rectification.
Matter: Owners corporation vs. original builder, NCAT proceedings
Our expert's findings
Targeted opening up, moisture mapping and core sampling confirmed systemic waterproofing membrane failure at the façade-to-slab interface, compounded by non-conforming cladding penetrations. Workmanship deviated from the approved design and AS 4654.2 detailing. The defects were latent, building-wide and unrelated to occupant maintenance, satisfying the statutory duty of care threshold under the DBP Act.
Outcome
The independent report, Scott Schedule and joint expert conclave supported a negotiated $1.2M settlement before final hearing. The rectification scope was adopted by the owners corporation and tendered using the expert's specification, avoiding contested oral evidence at trial.
Frequently asked questions
Was this matter run under the DBP Act?
Yes. The report was prepared by a Registered Design Practitioner and addressed statutory duty of care under section 37 of the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 (NSW).
How long did the engagement take?
From initial brief to settlement, approximately seven months, including invasive investigation, expert report, Scott Schedule and joint conclave.
Related services
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