Having a dispute with a builder can be about any number of issues; Contracts, Workmanship, Defects arising from works, Payments, Programme and Delays, Honouring warranties, and so on. Or, it might be a disagreement with a neighbour on a property-related issue; Party structures, trespass of building works, workmen coming onto your land or putting scaffold on your land where you haven’t agreed it.

Perhaps dampness is appearing in a neighbour’s extension, and they allege that you have caused it with your drainage or rainwater system, or by building a shed adjacent to their wall. Either way, you might need the input of an impartial professional chartered building surveyor to investigate and report on the matter. The dispute might be minor initially, but can easily escalate to a bigger issue, that might impact on the futures sale of a property, it’s value, or structural damage in the longer term.

Our approach at Arun Associates is always robust. We collect the relevant data and gather the evidence, take photos and measurements where necessary, look at both sides of the issue, apply the law,  regulations, and relevant technical standards, and clearly report our findings with practical recommendations. We always provide an executive summary. We avoid a lot of technical jargon where it is not considered necessary. Options might be offered by our surveyor, where there is more than one solution.

In builder-related disputes, we know and understand building contracts, and their terms and conditions. We can establish what a builder has claimed to be paid and what he/she is actually due to be paid under the contract, as regards valuations of payments. Making an error in paying the builder at the right time, can be costly for the client/homeowner. Builders have protection in contracts too.

Even if you don’t have a formal contract, you are often likely to be protected in law, (i.e. under consumer law), we just need to ascertain the facts. We separate out the emotion from the dispute from the matters which help us progress in a resolution for the parties. Our skills in negotiation with builders and others in property-related differences, will provide a long-term solution in most cases.

Boundary disputes between neighbours, tend to make lawyers lots of fees, and are best avoided. However, we can always give our view on such matters and arrange an expert to assist you.

Whatever is your stage in a dispute, or property-related issue, please do contact Arun Associates to talk through your problem with us. An initial brief, telephone call with us, is no charge. You have nothing to lose for a quick chat, and you might even be able to resolve the issue yourself, with a bit of guidance from us.