QBCC warns against hot fire safety audit costs

Are building auditors cashing on compulsory Queensland fire safety checks?

Damage to a unit balcony caused by the 2014 Lacrosse apartment fire in Melbourne's Docklands when combustible building cladding caught alight. Queensland construction regulator, the QBCC, has warned unit owners about excessive charging for compulsory Fire Safety Audits due by May 29.

THE Queensland Building and Construction Commission has warned building owners to obtain multiple quotes for Safer Buildings Audits aimed at identifying inflammable cladding after complaints of excessive charging by professionals.

It comes as the industry regulator revealed 4300 buildings across Queensland were required to complete Phase Two audits, which body corporate managers have revealed were costing their unit owners up to $3000.

The QBCC has identified up to a 160 per cent divergence in charging by professionals qualified to audit the premises.

Building owners have until May 29 to comply with the Phase Two audits with estimates of a total cost of up to $1.4 million to comply by 240 buildings in the Sunshine Coast Council area and another 99 in Noosa.

"The QBCC has recently become aware of what appears to be excessively high prices charged by businesses offering professional advice to building owners and voluntary committees of management seeking to comply with the Queensland Safer Buildings Audit,” the regulator said in a statement.

"The QBCC has been contacted by multiple building owners and representatives of voluntary committees of management who have expressed dismay at paying substantial fees to building industry professionals to complete Part 1 of this Audit.

"Part 1 of the Audit has been designed to be straight forward so that owners had the choice to complete the first part of the Audit without incurring any expense.

"The QBCC has heard from concerned building owners and voluntary committees of management who are now participating in Part 2 of the Audit and are receiving excessively high quotes to complete this stage.

"The QBCC is aware that some owners are receiving quotes from building industry professionals for the completion of Part 2 of the Audit which are remarkably divergent. For example, some quotes are more than 160 per cent of other quotes for the same service.

"The QBCC is urging building owners and voluntary committees of management to seek multiple quotes to find the best possible adviser to complete Part 2 of the Audit.”

If you are in doubt about your obligations in relation to the Safer Buildings Audit please see www.saferbuildings.qld.gov.au.

Originally published as QBCC warns against hot fire safety audit costs