Under most building contracts, you as the owner have a contractual right to have structural defects addressed. This is also transferable to a new owner if the home is sold within 6 years of the key handover.

Structural Defects and failure

It is your builder’s responsibility to ensure the property is unfastened from major defects for six years after the build’s final touch.

So what is usually covered under the structural Warranty?

• Structural timbers and/or steel framing in the wall or roof where structural failure is defined pursuant to the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian Standards including AS 1684.
• Load-bearing brickwork where structural failure is defined pursuant to the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian Standards including AS 4773.
• Foundation systems, concrete, and or strip footing pursuant to the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian Standards including AS 2870, Appendix B.