What Is Remedial Work? A Guide for Strata and Property Managers

Remedial work is the repair and rectification of defects in an existing building, addressing the root cause rather than just the visible symptom. In New South Wales, it typically requires a licensed building practitioner whenever structural elements or waterproofing are involved.

If you manage a strata scheme, commercial building, or investment property, you have likely come across the term “remedial work” at some point, usually when a defect report lands on your desk or a resident raises a concern about cracking, leaks, or damage. Understanding what remedial work actually involves, and why it matters for the long term health of a building, helps you make better decisions when the time comes to act.

This guide walks through what remedial work is, the signs that indicate you might need it, and what the process typically looks like for strata and commercial properties.

What Is Remedial Work?

Remedial work is the repair and rectification of defects in an existing structure. Rather than routine maintenance or a cosmetic upgrade, remedial work addresses the underlying cause of a defect, not just the visible symptom.

Common examples of remedial works include:

• Repairing cracked walls or facades caused by structural movement
• Fixing concrete spalling and rust staining in reinforced concrete
• Resolving water ingress and damp patches
• Addressing balcony or balustrade movement
• Replacing failed flashings around windows and doors
• Repairing sagging or deteriorating soffits

The key difference between remedial work and general maintenance is that remedial work is diagnostic and corrective. It requires identifying why a defect occurred in the first place, then designing a repair that resolves that root cause. Treating only the visible damage without addressing what caused it usually means the same problem returns, often at a higher cost the second time around.

Signs Your Building May Need Remedial Work

Defects rarely appear overnight. By the time damage becomes visible, the underlying issue has often been developing for months or years. Some of the most common warning signs include:

• Cracking in walls, facades, or slabs
• Rust staining or concrete spalling
• Water stains, damp patches, or a persistent musty smell
• Movement in balconies or balustrades
• Doors and windows that no longer sit or close properly
• Visible deterioration in soffits or ceiling linings

If any of these are present in your building, it is worth getting a professional assessment rather than waiting to see whether the issue resolves on its own. Structural and water related defects tend to worsen over time, and early diagnosis is almost always more cost effective than a delayed repair.

Remedial Work vs Renovation vs Maintenance

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things.

Maintenance covers the ongoing upkeep of a building in good condition, things like servicing, cleaning, and minor repairs that keep existing systems working as intended.

Renovation is a planned upgrade or change to a building, usually for aesthetic or functional improvement, and is not necessarily tied to an existing defect.

Remedial work is corrective. It responds to an identified defect, and it typically requires a documented diagnosis, a compliant repair design, and sign off from a licensed practitioner, particularly for structural or waterproofing related issues.

Knowing which category a project falls into matters for budgeting, for insurance purposes, and for understanding who is qualified to carry out the work.

Why Remedial Work Requires a Licensed Building Practitioner

In New South Wales, remedial work involving structural elements or waterproofing, often referred to as remedial building work, is subject to the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020. This means the practitioner carrying out the work needs to be licensed and registered, and the project needs to be properly scoped, documented, and signed off.

This matters most for strata buildings and commercial properties, where defects often affect shared structure rather than a single unit. A poorly documented or non compliant repair can create ongoing liability for an owners corporation, and may not satisfy the requirements of insurers, certifiers, or NCAT if a dispute arises later.

Working with a DBP Act registered practitioner means every project is assessed, scoped, and documented properly from the outset, giving strata managers and owners corporations the paper trail they need to demonstrate compliance.

What Does the Remedial Work Process Typically Involve?

While every project differs in scale, most remedial work follows a similar structured process:

• Diagnostic assessment. Identifying the defect and its root cause, not just the visible symptom.
• Scoping and quoting. Preparing a documented scope of works and a transparent quote based on the assessment.
• Installation. Carrying out the repair using appropriate, compliant materials and methods.
• Compliance handover. Providing documentation of the completed work for records, warranty, and compliance purposes.
• Ongoing maintenance. Recommendations to protect the repair and prevent recurrence.

For strata schemes in particular, this documentation matters well beyond the immediate repair. It becomes part of the owners corporation’s records and can support future decisions, insurance claims, or resale disclosures.

Remedial Work in Strata Buildings

Defects in a strata scheme rarely stay contained to a single lot. Water ingress, structural cracking, and balcony defects often affect shared structure, which means the responsibility, and the cost, is usually shared across the scheme rather than sitting with one owner.

This is part of why a coordinated, documented approach matters. Addressing defects lot by lot as they appear is often more disruptive and more expensive over time than assessing a scheme as a whole and delivering a coordinated remedial works programme, particularly in older buildings where several defects tend to surface around the same time.

What Affects the Cost of Remedial Work?

Every project is different, and an accurate quote depends on a proper site assessment, but the main factors that typically influence cost include:

• The extent and severity of the defect
• Whether the issue affects a single area or multiple parts of a building
• Site access and the need for scaffolding or specialist equipment
• The materials and systems required for a compliant, long lasting repair
• Documentation and compliance requirements, particularly for strata buildings

Because remedial work is diagnostic by nature, costs can vary significantly between projects that might look similar on the surface. A proper assessment is the only reliable way to understand what a specific repair will involve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licensed practitioner for remedial work in NSW?

Yes, for structural or waterproofing related remedial work, the practitioner needs to be licensed under the Design and Building Practitioners Act, particularly for class 2 buildings such as strata developments.

How long does remedial work take?

This depends entirely on the scope of the defect and the size of the project. A single balcony repair may take days, while a coordinated strata wide programme can take considerably longer. A proper assessment will give you a realistic timeframe.

Is remedial work covered by insurance?

This depends on your policy and the cause of the defect. It is worth discussing any suspected defect with your insurer early, and keeping documentation from a licensed practitioner will support any claim you make.

When should I call a remedial builder rather than a general tradesperson?

Any time the issue involves structural elements, compliance documentation, or shared strata property. A general tradesperson can address surface level issues, but structural and compliance related repairs need a licensed remedial builder.

Get a Professional Assessment

If you have noticed cracking, water damage, or structural movement in your building, the safest first step is a proper diagnostic assessment rather than guessing at the cause. Ensure Waterproofing are DBP Act registered remedial building practitioners based on the Central Coast, with over 50 years of combined experience delivering remedial building services across residential, strata, and commercial properties throughout the Central Coast, Newcastle, and greater Sydney.

Get in touch for a free, no obligation consultation and a clear, documented assessment of what your building actually needs.