Paper Title :Management of the Builder-Client Relationship; Critical Review of the Victorian Residential Building Industry

Author :S. Warwick, Z. A. Krezel

Article Citation :S. Warwick ,Z. A. Krezel , (2019 ) " Management of the Builder-Client Relationship; Critical Review of the Victorian Residential Building Industry " , International Journal of Advances in Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IJAMCE) , pp. 1-5, Volume-6,Issue-6

Abstract : This paper provides an analytical review of the Victorian residential building industry in regards to management of the builder-client relationship. A level of engagement of clients into their residential building projects and forms of interaction with building professionals managing pre-construction and construction processes are investigated. Also the impacts of mis-management of the builder-client relationship by building professionals on disputes are reported. A common practice and cultural behaviours in the Victorian residential building industry appear not to be conducive to encouraging client‘s meaningful engagement throughout the lifecycle of their building projects. This combined with a passive attitude adopted by a typical client who possesses limited knowledge of building technologies and processes, as well as, has limited skills in managing complex builder-client relationship, lead to misinterpretations, misunderstanding and consequently to disputes. Likewise, builders who under-invest in ensuring that clients have necessary knowledge and skills in understanding building processes and expectations of building professionals, put themselves in a dispute prone position. The resulting disputes cause unnecessary burdens on the builder associated with disruptions to business and the cost to enter into dispute resolution procedures; financial burden on the client through accessing independent advice and the resultant stress in entering such procedures; and burden on society when Government funded dispute resolution procedures are accessed. Preliminary findings support the need for clients of residential building projects to adopt a less passive position throughout the project lifecycle in order to reduce the risk of misalignment of expectations with their builder. Preliminary conclusion proposed by the paper is that in the best interest of builders is to invest in development and effective management of meaningful relationships with their clients, which will encourage collaborative involvement throughout the project. Keywords - Builder-Client Relationship;Victorian Residential Building Industry, Disputes, Building Projects

Type : Research paper

Published : Volume-6,Issue-6

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