Insurance repairs can involve more than replacing visibly damaged finishes. Before engaging a builder, understand the cause of the damage, the approved scope and who will be responsible for the repair work.
1. Understand the insurance arrangement
If your insurer is managing repairs, ask who will carry out the work, who supervises it and how variations or workmanship concerns are handled. You can ask to nominate a preferred builder, but the insurer's willingness to approve that builder depends on the policy and claim.
If you are considering a cash settlement, request the full written scope and itemised settlement calculation. With a cash settlement, you will usually need to organise the relevant repairs yourself and may be responsible for costs above the settlement amount.
2. Check the builder's qualifications
- Verify current Victorian building registration and the appropriate category for the works.
- Ask for experience with the specific type of damage, such as water ingress, fire or structural repairs.
- Confirm who will manage engineering, permits, inspections and licensed trades where required.
- Ask for evidence of relevant insurance and a clear contract and warranty pathway.
3. Compare the actual repair scope
A good scope identifies the affected areas, demolition and access, materials, finishes, necessary investigations, repairs to underlying defects where applicable, and exclusions. A cheaper quote is not necessarily comparable if important work is omitted.
Where a damaged door jamb, skirting or wet-area lining intersects waterproofing, for example, the builder should assess the system and repair detailing before assuming a cosmetic replacement will be sufficient.
4. Check for hidden damage and compliance requirements
Water damage, mould, timber deterioration, corrosion and structural issues may not be fully visible until investigation. Ensure the scope addresses how latent conditions will be documented and priced, and distinguish insured-event damage from maintenance or pre-existing defects.
5. Understand Home Warranty versus your home insurance claim
Home insurance covers damage according to your PDS. Separately, Victoria's Home Warranty scheme generally applies to eligible new domestic building work over $20,000 under contracts signed from 1 July 2026. Earlier DBI policies continue under their original terms. The schemes are not interchangeable.
6. Ask the right questions before signing
- What is included, excluded or provisional in the quote?
- Who is responsible for uncovering and reporting further damage?
- What approvals, certificates and inspections are needed?
- Who coordinates subcontractors and supervises the work?
- What is the variation process and anticipated schedule?
- What happens if the insurer's approved scope differs from the required compliant repair?
How Brownlow Building can help
Brownlow Building provides independent building assessments, scopes and quotations for repair work across Melbourne, alongside construction services where appropriate. We can help clarify the scope and identify items requiring further investigation before a client commits to a repair contract.
For consumer information, see ASIC MoneySmart's cash settlement guide and the Insurance Council's repair and recovery process.
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