It’s difficult for owners corporations to control costs when repairing spalling. How do we receive a reliable estimate for concrete spalling repairs?
How do we know how much it is going to cost to fix spalling? We understand why it’s difficult to get a true estimate, but at the same time, our capital works fund isn’t a bottomless bucket. How can owners corporations control costs when repairing concrete spalling?
Have an engineer provide a detailed scope of works first.
Get an expert involved to supply a defined scope of work detailing what work needs to be done. I recommend you spend a little more upfront on an engineer to carry out exploratory work. They can remove the concrete in some areas to get a better idea of the extent of the damage. The engineer can then clearly define the scope of work.
When you approach builders for quotes, you’ll give them the best opportunity to price the work accurately. Don’t go to a builder saying "Can you give me a quote to repair spalling." If the builder does not know the extent of the work, their quote will include a buffer to ensure they cover themselves. Getting an expert to provide a detailed scope of work first will give the committee the best chance of successfully controlling costs.
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Bruce McKenzie is National Manager for Commercial Services and Major Projects at Sedgwick's Building Consulting Division, the largest claims management corporation in the world. With over 36 years' experience as a licenced building contractor, Bruce has received multiple state building excellence awards and a National Building Award through Master Builders Australia.
Since joining Sedgwick a decade ago, Bruce has led the growth of its Commercial Services Division, managing major building projects nationally across the insurance and private sectors — including property damage, catastrophe events and large-scale remediation. He has acted as expert witness on high-profile litigation matters, most notably the Lacrosse Tower combustible cladding case, and served as Program Director for Cladding Safety Victoria, overseeing the recladding of over 40 buildings as part of the Victorian Government's $600 million rectification program. In 2022 he commenced a secondment as Program Director for Project Intervene with the NSW Office of the Building Commissioner, addressing serious defects in recently constructed buildings.
Bruce is a licensed builder in NSW, QLD, VIC and ACT, and holds an Advanced Diploma in Building & Construction Management and a Diploma of Project Management.
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