When is it a defect and when is it within tolerance in Clyde
How the tolerances guide settles the argument.
In short: Your builder says it is within tolerance. Here is how that is actually decided in Victoria.
The document that decides
The Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2015 sets what is acceptable for cracking, alignment, finish and gaps in Victorian residential work.
Measured, not judged
Most tolerances are a number and a viewing condition: a distance, a light source, a width. That is why a measured report ends the argument.
Cracking
Classified by width and location into categories. Category matters more than appearance.
Finish
Paint and plaster are assessed under normal light at a stated distance, not with a torch held against the wall.
What to do with the answer
If the item is outside tolerance, the report says which clause and by how much.
Written by the Owner Inspections team from inspections carried out in Clyde. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
