Domestic Building Contracts Act Warranties

June 11, 2022

When you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities under the Domestic Building Contracts Act (DBCA). One of the most significant aspects of this legislation is the requirement for builders to provide certain warranties to homeowners.

Under the DBCA, a builder must provide a warranty for the following aspects of the building work:

1. Structural defects: This covers any issues with the structural integrity of the building, such as cracks in the walls or foundation, leaking roofs, or problems with the framing.

2. Non-structural defects: This covers any defects that affect the livability of the home, such as issues with electrical or plumbing systems, insulation, or ventilation.

3. Workmanship defects: This covers any defects that result from poor workmanship, such as uneven plastering, poorly installed windows, or crooked tiling.

4. Materials defects: This covers any defects in the materials used in the building work, such as flooring that warps or tiles that crack.

These warranties provide homeowners with peace of mind that their builder will take responsibility for any defects that arise in the building work within a certain timeframe. The length of the warranty period will depend on the type of defect:

– Structural defects must be covered for 6 years from the date of completion of the building work.

– Non-structural defects must be covered for 2 years from the date of completion of the building work.

– Workmanship and materials defects must be covered for 6 months from the date of completion of the building work.

It is important to note that these warranties cannot be waived or excluded by the builder. If a defect arises within the warranty period, the homeowner can make a claim against the builder for repair or replacement of the defective work.

To ensure that your builder complies with the DBCA, it is important to enter into a written contract that includes all the required warranties. The contract must also include details of the builder`s insurance, such as their public liability and home warranty insurance.

In summary, the Domestic Building Contracts Act provides important protections for homeowners when building or renovating their homes. Understanding your rights and responsibilities under this legislation can help ensure that your building work is completed to a high standard and any defects are dealt with promptly.

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