As a result of inspecting hundreds of recently built houses, units,

and additions (particularly since 1996), it became increasingly

apparent that there has been a sharp decline in the quality of

work at least in the residential housing sector.

This book attempts to defi ne basic contractual termssuch

as defect, specifi cation, and performancethat form the very

basis for quality in housing.

Once defi ned, these terms should go a long way to ending

the shortcutting rife in the industry, make insurance fairer for

homeowners, and greatly reduce the costs associated with

building disputes.

It also attempts to set up various models to make this all happen

and to ensure that quality is of a high standard well into the future

so as to avoid a sizeable blight resulting from the steady decline

in the standard of building work being constructed today.