Meridian Forensic Building Consultants
Independent forensic building advice
We investigate building damage and defects, and give clear, evidence-based opinions that lawyers, loss adjusters, insurance builders, owners corporations and property owners can rely on when they decide a claim, settle a scope or run a dispute.
in building and construction
in building consultancy
working directly for general and strata insurers
report types, each on a structured Meridian template
What we do
Every Meridian report is prepared on a structured template for its report type, answers the questions in your instructions, and is signed by the consultant who did the work.
Causation
Cause of damage for insurance claims: escape of liquid, storm and water ingress, sudden events versus gradual deterioration, defects and wear.
Building defects
Workmanship and compliance against the National Construction Code, Australian Standards, the Guide to Standards and Tolerances and manufacturer requirements.
Scope and quotation review
Whether a scope is necessary and complete, and whether quantities, rates and margins are fair.
Repair methodology
Repair options, sequencing, hold points and verification, within our causation and defect reports or as written technical advice.
Expert evidence
Expert witness reports for VCAT and the courts, Scott Schedules, joint reports, conclaves and attendance to give evidence.
Peer review
Review of another expert's methodology, evidence and reasoning, including compliance with the ICA standard.
Data centres (coming soon)
Forensic investigation of losses in data centres and critical rooms (escape of water, fire and smoke, electrical faults, cooling failure), with specialist electrical, mechanical, fire and battery input.
Who we work for
Causation reports aligned with the ICA expert report standard, scope and quotation validation, and supplementary reports — from a consultant who spent nine years working directly for general and strata insurers.
Expert reports that comply with PNVCAT2, the Supreme Court Expert Witness Code of Conduct and GPN-EXPT. Scott Schedules, joint reports, conclaves and peer review.
Causation reports aligned with the ICA expert report standard that keep fact and opinion apart. Scope and quotation validation. Direct answers to the questions you ask, on time.
Independent causation and defect opinions that support claim decisions and scopes. Repair methodology, and technical support in disputes.
Strata forensic reports that address lot and common property boundaries, repair responsibility, and damage versus maintenance.
Defect investigations and reports for building disputes, including at VCAT.
Why Meridian
Independent
No repair work, no referral fees, no commercial ties to builders. Our only interest is getting the technical answer right.
Insurer-side insight
Nine years inside general and strata insurers. We know what a claim decision needs, and how the General Insurance Code of Practice shapes it.
Built for scrutiny
Fact and opinion kept apart, reasoning shown, standards cited, so reports hold up at IDR, AFCA, VCAT or court.
Plain English
Direct answers to the questions you ask, without padding.
Direct access to the principal
You deal with the consultant who inspects and signs the report, from instruction through to evidence.
Fixed fees
Most reports are fixed-fee, so you know the cost before you instruct us.
Lee J. Thatcher, Principal Building Consultant
Lee has 30 years in building and construction and 20 years in building consultancy, including nine years working directly for general and strata insurers as a senior building consultant covering Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Lee has also worked for insurance builders and previously ran an independent building consultancy, so has seen claims, repairs and disputes from every side.
DipBuildCons (Building) · AiBEC Individual Member · ANZIIF Allied Member
Instructing Meridian is a six-step process
Conflict check
Send the parties' names and the property address. We confirm within one business day whether we can act.
Fee confirmation
A fixed fee for a standard report, or a written estimate for anything else.
Written instructions
Email the questions you want answered and the documents you hold.
Inspection
We book with the site contact and confirm the time with you.
Report
A signed PDF with labelled photographs, within our service levels.
Follow-up
We answer questions about the report and prepare a supplementary report if new information comes to light.
Instruct Meridian
Call Lee on 0400 071 933 or send the names of the parties and the property address. We'll confirm within one business day that we can act, and the fee.