Defect
A defect is building work that does not comply with the contract, the approved documentation, the National Construction Code or the relevant Australian Standards.
Defects range from cosmetic, such as poor paint finish or misaligned joinery, to serious, such as failed waterproofing, inadequate structural work or non-compliant fire separation. The distinction matters, because it determines urgency and liability.
Residential building contracts in NSW include a defects liability period after practical completion, during which the builder is required to return and rectify defective work. Statutory warranties under home building legislation extend beyond that period, with longer cover for major defects.
The practical defence against defects is documentation and inspection. Clearly documented details leave less room for interpretation on site, and staged inspections catch problems while they are still accessible.