Is it time for the QBCC to open up its books?

There were 6,115 defective work complaints and 1,301 directions to rectify made against builders in the last financial year. This trove of complaints is the only up-to-date data source on:

• Which elements of our new home builds are seeing the most defects / complaints
• What product categories and construction methods are causing the most issues, and
• Where we need to focus the training and skill improvement in the industry.

The only issue is that no one has access to this data except the QBCC.

Apart from the odd social post, we have no visibility on where the issues in our construction are coming from.

So what’s the solution?

The QBCC had $402.8M in revenue and a $62M profit last financial year.

Hire a few data analysts and release a quarterly report that covers off on where exactly most of the issues are arising, any problematic new building methods / materials / products, and any other licencing or financial management trends to be aware of.

Industry associations, RTO’s, and business owners will then develop targeted training for their trades and teams on the issues that matter.

Let us know what you think.

Author: Peter Love

Pete was the General Manager of one of Australia’s largest home builders for six years, before starting his own business as a buyers’ advocate, building over 200 homes in five years across South East Queensland and working with over 20 builders to deliver them. Across this time he has seen most facets of the industry, the good, the bad, and the beautiful.