For strata committees and owners corporations across New South Wales, one of the most pressing concerns when commissioning facade repair work is certainty: certainty in cost, in safety, and—perhaps most importantly—in the warranty. What kind of warranty can I expect on facade repair work in NSW? A Strata Owner’s Guide explores this vital topic, helping strata owners understand their rights, obligations, and how to ensure long-term protection of their building’s value.
Understanding Warranties in the Context of Facade Repairs
When it comes to facade repair warranty in NSW, warranties act as a safeguard against defective workmanship and materials. In the strata context, these warranties are not just technical documents—they are vital protections for owners corporations responsible for managing millions of dollars in common property.
Under NSW law, statutory warranties apply to most building work. However, the complexities of facade rectification, concrete repairs, cladding replacement, and waterproofing mean that strata committees need to carefully distinguish between statutory warranty entitlements and contractual warranties offered by builders.
Statutory Warranties under NSW Fair Trading
What Are Statutory Warranties?
Statutory warranties for facade repairs are mandated by the Home Building Act 1989 (NSW). They apply to residential building work, which includes common property works undertaken by strata owners corporations.
For most facade repair projects, statutory warranties cover:
- Structural defects: 6 years from completion.
- Non-structural defects: 2 years from completion.
If defects become apparent in the last 6 months of the warranty period, strata owners corporations have an additional 6 months to commence proceedings.
Application to Strata Committees
Strata building warranty in NSW extends to owners corporations commissioning facade works, as these works typically concern common property. This means strata committees must act as custodians of these warranties on behalf of all owners.
Defects Liability Period vs Warranty Period
A frequent point of confusion for strata committees is the difference between a defects liability period and the statutory warranty period.
- Defects liability period (DLP): Generally 12–24 months, set by contract. During this time, contractors are obliged to return and fix defects at no cost.
- Statutory warranty period: Enforced under law. For facade rectification warranty NSW, this can extend well beyond the contractual DLP.
Committees should not assume the DLP is the same as statutory warranties—it is not. Once the DLP expires, statutory rights still apply for years afterwards.
Builder and Contractor Warranties
In addition to statutory warranties, many builders and facade restoration contractors offer their own warranties. These can include:
- Extended facade defects warranty period NSW covering workmanship for 5–10 years.
- Manufacturer warranties on facade cladding repair materials, sealants, or coatings.
- Maintenance warranties contingent on owners corporations performing routine facade maintenance obligations strata committees must oversee.
Strata committees should always request warranty certificates in writing and ensure they are transferable to future committees and owners.
Common Property and Warranty Responsibilities
Under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, owners corporations are responsible for maintaining and repairing common property. This means that warranties on building facade works in NSW are enforceable by the owners corporation, not individual lot owners.
For example:
- Common property facade repairs NSW such as spalling concrete or water ingress are covered by statutory and contractual warranties.
- Strata owners corporation repair responsibilities include ensuring that maintenance is carried out so as not to void warranties.
What Happens if a Dispute Arises?
Unfortunately, warranty disputes are not uncommon. If a builder refuses to honour a warranty, owners corporations can escalate through:
- Mediation with NSW Fair Trading.
- NCAT facade repair disputes NSW (the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal), which has jurisdiction to enforce statutory warranties and order rectification or compensation.
- Building defect warranty claims NSW lodged within the statutory period.
Practical Tips for Strata Committees
To ensure your strata warranty period for facade repairs is enforceable and effective:
- Engage accredited specialists – Work with providers such as CPR Facade Upgrade Specialists, who back their work with Scaffold-Free™ systems, ASP’s™, and AfterCare™ services.
- Document everything – Keep a complete record of inspection reports, quotes, contracts, and photographic evidence of works.
- Clarify warranty terms upfront – Ask: Does the warranty cover both materials and workmanship? What exclusions apply?
- Ensure compliance with maintenance obligations – Many warranties require ongoing maintenance of sealants, joints, or coatings.
- Act promptly on defects – The longer a defect goes unreported, the harder it may be to enforce warranty claims.
Why CPR Provides Greater Confidence in Warranties
At CPR, we don’t just deliver facade repair solutions—we deliver peace of mind backed by robust warranties and transparent processes. With our proprietary SkyPod® Workstations, PEARS®, and MARS™ access technologies, we achieve higher quality outcomes that last longer, meaning warranties aren’t just legal words on paper—they are promises fulfilled.
Our quality assurance systems—ASP’s™, SFS360®, and SE2EPC®—ensure that every defect rectification is documented and guaranteed. Combined with our AfterCare™ program, strata committees can rely on us not only for the initial rectification but also for long-term preservation.
Conclusion: Strata Owners’ Rights and Peace of Mind
So, what kind of warranty can I expect on facade repair work in NSW? In short:
- Statutory warranties protect strata schemes for 2–6 years (longer in some circumstances).
- Defects liability periods typically last 12–24 months but do not replace statutory rights.
- Additional builder warranties may extend protection further.
- Owners corporations must actively manage, maintain, and enforce these warranties.
For strata committees, the warranty is not just a safety net—it’s an assurance that investments in facade repair will safeguard both property value and resident safety for years to come.
Take the Next Step
If your building is approaching facade repairs or you want clarity on warranty obligations, start with a professional inspection:
👉 Book a Building Facade Inspection👉 Learn more about Facade Remediation & Preservation
