Builder used unapproved materials, costing homeowners thousands

A homeowner in Victoria faces a costly problem after a building inspector discovered unapproved materials used in her new home. Zeher Khalil, a site inspector, found polystyrene being used instead of concrete. He criticized this practice as "deceptive" and harmful to homeowners. Khalil reported that the homeowner might need to spend between $100,000 to $200,000 to fix the issues since $420,000 worth of work had already been paid for. This revelation puts her in a tough position as she will now have to seek compensation from the builder through legal means. Polystyrene is sometimes used in construction as a cheaper alternative to concrete. However, it must follow specific building plans and come certified for safety. Khalil shared that many builders opt for cost-cutting methods, which can lead to failures if not done correctly. The inspector emphasized that builders should complete their work properly the first time. Rushed jobs not only increase costs for homeowners but also contribute to environmental waste, with improper construction often needing to be torn out and redone. Khalil advised future homeowners to thoroughly research potential builders, including visiting past job sites and checking references. He also cautioned against making payments for construction stages before getting an inspector's approval to avoid legal troubles later.