Services
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. Eight report types cover the matters we are instructed on, and a ninth, Data Centre Forensic, is coming soon. Other services support them.
Basic Causation Report
When to use it
Building disputes, VCAT proceedings, and any matter where workmanship or compliance needs to be assessed defect by defect against the NCC, Australian Standards, the Guide to Standards and Tolerances, or manufacturer requirements.
What you receive
A concise opinion on cause, aligned with the ICA standard, with photos and findings. On a first attendance it can record make-safe and hazard observations, and is marked tentative if the cause is not yet settled. Typically 4 to 6 pages.
Typical fee: Fixed, $1,875 + GST, including one site inspection of up to 2 hours.
Forensic Report
When to use it
Disputed, complex or multi-peril claims, including IDR and AFCA matters. Also instructed by construction lawyers and regulators.
What you receive
A full evidence-based investigation: sudden versus gradual, contributing causes, and apportionment where needed. Repair options and hold points can be included. For lawyers the report carries the expert's declaration under PNVCAT2.
Typical fee: Fixed, $4,200 + GST, including one site inspection of up to 3 hours. Desktop only: $3,250 + GST.
Strata Forensic Report
When to use it
Owners corporation matters.
What you receive
Causation and defects, with lot and common property boundaries, by-laws and repair responsibility under the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) addressed.
Typical fee: Quoted per matter, based on the Forensic Report fee.
Building Defect Investigation
When to use it
Owners, lawyers and builders in defect disputes.
What you receive
Defect-by-defect findings against the NCC, Australian Standards and manufacturer requirements, ready for a Scott Schedule, with rectification options and hold points where needed.
Typical fee: Quoted per matter.
Scope & Quotation Review
When to use it
Before you approve or dispute a scope or quote.
What you receive
Whether the scope is necessary and complete, and whether quantities, rates and margins are fair.
Typical fee: Scope of works validation $1,375 + GST; quotation review $950 + GST. Desktop; site inspection extra.
Expert Witness Report
When to use it
VCAT and court proceedings.
What you receive
A report that complies with VCAT Practice Note PNVCAT2, the Supreme Court of Victoria Expert Witness Code of Conduct (Form 44A) or the Federal Court Expert Evidence Practice Note (GPN-EXPT), with the expert's declaration. Scott Schedules, joint reports, conclaves and attendance to give evidence are charged hourly.
Typical fee: Quoted per matter.
Peer Review Report
When to use it
Testing another expert's report.
What you receive
A review of methodology, evidence and reasoning, including compliance with the ICA standard (insurance) or PNVCAT2 (tribunal).
Typical fee: Fixed, $1,875 + GST, or $2,400 + GST in VCAT or court proceedings. Desktop.
Supplementary Report
When to use it
After a Meridian report has been issued.
What you receive
A response to new information or further questions, or a revised opinion with reasons.
Typical fee: From $750 + GST. Desktop.
Coming Soon - Data Centre Forensic Report
When to use it
Losses in data centres and critical rooms — server, comms, UPS and battery rooms — including escape of water, fire and smoke, electrical faults and cooling failure.
What you receive
A lead forensic report that preserves the evidence, builds a time-stamped event timeline from building system data, and brings signed specialist reports (electrical, mechanical, fire, battery) into one cause analysis. Policy response and liability stay with you.
Typical fee: Quoted per matter, confirmed in writing before work starts. Specialist sub-consultants are engaged with your approval.
Other services
- Site inspections, and joint inspections with adjusters, builders or other experts
- Written technical advice on how a repair should be done, or an answer to a technical question
- Ad hoc technical advice by phone, email, video or meeting
- Scott Schedule preparation and responses
- Expert conclaves and joint expert reports
- Attendance at VCAT or court to give evidence
- Coordination of specialist sub-consultants (engineers, leak detection, testing), with your approval
Scope of our opinions
Meridian gives technical building opinions. We don't give legal advice or opinions on policy liability or indemnity. Where a legal question arises, we identify it and leave the conclusion to you and your advisers.
Standards and frameworks we work to
- Insurance Council of Australia, Use of Expert Reports: Industry Best Practice Standard (August 2024)
- General Insurance Code of Practice
- National Construction Code, referenced Australian Standards and manufacturer installation requirements
- Guide to Standards and Tolerances (Victoria)
- Building Act 1993 (Vic), Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 (Vic), Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic) and Subdivision Act 1988 (Vic)
- VCAT Practice Note PNVCAT2: Expert Evidence; Supreme Court of Victoria Expert Witness Code of Conduct (Form 44A); Federal Court Expert Evidence Practice Note (GPN-EXPT)
Our work is governed by the Meridian Quality Policy (MFB-QP-01). Our quality management system is written to ISO 9001:2026. Meridian is not currently certified to the standard. A copy of the Quality Policy is available on request.
What every Meridian report includes
- Your instructions and the questions asked, each answered directly
- A list of the documents and information relied on
- Observations and findings of fact, kept separate from opinion
- Reasoning that cites the evidence and the standards relied on
- Labelled photographs, where photographs were taken
- A statement of objectivity, the author's qualifications and any conflict disclosure
- Clear limitations and a reliance statement
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.