27/03/2026
Dear Builders and Subcontractors of NSW, Please read this call for action.
Support NSW Builders and trades — Lift the Standard for “Independent” Experts
( I call them “paid‑advocate cowboys” ) — people who don’t build anything themselves, won’t get up at 6 a.m. to do the graft like the rest of the trades, yet charge clients extortionate fees for copy‑paste reports that ignore proper fair‑trading standards and basic investigative work
The building industry needs urgent attention: and we need urgent regulation of so‑called “independent” inspectors.
Too often, reports read like advocacy rather than objective assessment.
Opinions are presented as fact, key information is omitted, and conclusions escalate disputes instead of resolving them. Clients rely on these reports—often at significant cost—believing they’re receiving impartial expertise.
Builders and subcontractors then face enormous legal bills defending claims that don’t stand up to proper scrutiny. Call it $200,000 minimum to defend against in courts.
Independence should not be a label—it should be a regulated obligation.
What needs to change
A new, dedicated licence class under the NSW Building Commission for anyone holding themselves out as an independent building inspector or expert witness.
Mandatory training and accreditation focused on impartiality, methodology, and duties to the tribunal/court—not the paying party
Real accountability: where reports are misleading, outside scope, or lack foundation, there must be consequences.
Court immunity does not remove professional responsibility
A practical reform: the Trinity Triple Lock before litigation must be obtained. BFP triple lock (Building Fair Process)
Lock 1
Building Commission
An independent investigation is completed and orders/determinations issued. Only if those are not followed can the matter progress.
Lock 2
Only suitably qualified experts may provide reports. Specialists operating within their field of expertise (such as a structural engineer), or a building inspector with the new proposed NSW licence class
Lock 3
Genuine mediation required
A recorded, good‑faith mediation with a qualified independent expert (or legal representatives) must occur before any tribunal or court proceedings can commence.
Prioritises resolution, filters out weak claims, and reduces unnecessary litigation that is draining the industry across NSW.
Builders and trades keep this state moving—early starts, tough conditions. They deserve a system that is fair, evidence‑based, and accountable.
It’s time for stronger oversight, clearer accreditation, and enforceable standards for anyone claiming to be “independent.”
Dear Builders and Subcontractors of NSW,
I invite you to contribute your experience and professional insights to support improvements within the building industry.
Please sign the Petition ( see in comments the link )
Or
Please provide a one-page document via email including the following details:
Your name
Company name
Building or trade license number
Recommendations for the Building Commission
Relevant past experiences, including impacts on you, your company, and your family (include locations and dates only)
Please do not include specific addresses or identify individuals involved in disputes.
At the end of your document, include the statement below and sign if you agree:
I, (name) of (company name), support the proposal for new Trinity Triple Lock legislation to protect builders, trades, and the industry from decline.
Please email your submission to: [email protected]
Thank you in advance
The man in the Arena
It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… who errs, who comes short again and again… but who does actually strive to do the deeds.”
— Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
