Cracks In the Wall

Engineering and Building Construction Consultancy

With over 40 years of hands-on building industry experience in engineering and building construction, Cracks In The Wall provides independent building inspections, detailed building condition reports, VCAT-compliant expert witness reports and practical dispute resolution support across Melbourne. We help homeowners, lawyers, and owners corporations achieve clear, defensible outcomes with dependable building reporting.

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Trusted Building Inspection Services for Melbourne Property Owners

Cracks In The Wall assists Melbourne home owners, investors, lawyers and developers with analytic inspections, defect reporting, VCAT guidance and evidence-ready reports to support both preventative and dispute-related needs.

Home Owners – Investors

  • Property Inspections and Condition Reports ​
  • ​Building Defects and incomplete Works
  • Building Stage and Pre-Handover Inspections (PCI)​
  • Contract Termination Assessments

Tender Documentation

  • Managing Tenders
  • Scoping
  • Tender Assessments
  • Conditions or Contract
  • Confidential Recommendations

Owners Corporations

  • Owners Corporations Inspections
  • Pre Builders Warranty Expiry Inspections
  • ​VMAI and Insurance Claim Support
  • Building Maintenance Program

Established Properties, New Buildings & Engineering Projects

  • Residential and Commercial
  • Pre demolition and Pre Construction Reports
  • Engineering Design Review
  • Water Ingress
  • Basements
  • Boundaries

Protection Works

  • Protection Works Assessment
  • Build Ability and Review Methods of Construction
  • Design Review
  • Dilapidation Report
  • Remediation of Damage

Lawyers and Mediators

  • VCAT Compliant Reports (PNV 2)
  • Building Dispute Resolution Support
  • Expert Witness Support​​​

Independent Expert building evidence for lawyers handling building disputes.

Cracks In The Wall Extensive Building & Construction Experience.

Cracks in the Wall Engineering Construction Management was founded by Andrew Stuart Smith, a Construction Engineer and third generation building professional with of 40 years of experience in domestic residential, commercial civic construction across Victoria and the United Kingdom. Andrew’s experience in assessing building defects includes all aspects of buildings including custom architectural design, quality assurance, contract administration, valuation and contract terminations.

​Cracks in the Wall provides services to Legal Professionals, Home Owners and
Building Professionals.

With Reference to:

  • National Construction Code (NCC)
  • Australian Standards
  • Victorian Building Regulations 2018 
  • Victorian Plumbing Regulations 2018
  • Manufacturer’s Design Manual


A Sample of Our Services include:

  • Building Condition & Stage Reports
  • Lawyer’s & Court Expert Witness Reports
  • Forensic Building Inspection and Reports
  • VCAT Compliant Reports
  • Inspection of Building
  • Dilapidation reports   

Andrew Stuart Smith,
BSc B.E.

After qualifying for Membership of the Institute of Engineers Australia back in 1986, Andrew Stuart Smith created the consultancy Cracks in the Wall to service the construction industry in Building/Engineering/Construction/Project Management matters.

Andrew’s clientele includes a broad selection from Private Contractors to Government Authorities & Manufacturing Industries, in Australia and the United Kingdom.

For 40 years, Andrew Stuart Smith has been immersed in all facets of Building, Construction & Structural Engineering, with a natural keen eye for detail and a refined approach that has brought him to the forefront of the industry.

Cracks In The Wall specialises in the following areas:

·      BUILDING REFURBISHMENT/HISTORIC RESTORATION:     Offices Interior Fitouts, Historic Stone Buildings, Victorian Heritage Commission Restorations, Industrial Manufacturing Reuse/Upgrade, Laboratories & Commercial Kitchen Refurbishment.

·      CIVIL & BUILDING: Compliance to standards.

·      FUNCTIONAL DESIGN: Supervision of the preparation for Detail Design Documentation.

·      DOCUMENTATION: Drafting Specifications and Scopes of Works.

·      SUPERVISION OF DETAIL DESIGN: Modifying to the needs of the Client and Constructor.

·      STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING & SPECIFICATION DOCUMENTATION: Preparation of Design Submissions.

·      PREPARATION OF CONTRACT DOCUMENTATION:     Preparation of Tender Documentation.

·      CHAIRMAN TENDER COMMITTEES: Conducting interviews and Preparation of Tender Recommendations

·      CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT: Extensive on-site experience in all aspects of day to day control and site detailing. As Site Foreman, Construction Engineer, Project Manager.

·      PLANNING: Project Critical Path Analysis, Cash Flow & Resources. Use of various Packages including Time Line.

·      QUANTITIES ESTIMATING: Civil, Mechanical & Buildings.

·      FEASABILITY STUDIES: Civil, Buildings & Engineering/Scientific Research.

·      CLAIMS AND VARIATIONS: Report writing and face to face negotiation.

·      QUALITY CONTROL: Practical onsite supervision experience. Architectural & Engineering Site Details.

·      GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES BUILDING/PLANNING APPROVALS: Melbourne Metro. Fire Brigade., Local Government, Department of Labour, Hazardous Chemicals, Asbestos Removal, and Environmental Protection Authority. Applications.

·      MECHANICAL INSTALLATION: Manufacturing Equipment, Milling Equipment, Computers & Air Treatment

·      ASBESTOS & DANGEROUS GOODS: Extensive Asbestos removal contacts. Sheeting, lagging. Manufacturing and Office/ Building  refurbishment.

·      SEWERS & DRAINAGE: Supervised both Day Labour and Contractors All types of soils and ground conditions.

·      RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE: All aspects of Heavy Rail, Tram infrastructure project management.

For a more detailed view of Andrew Stuart Smith’s education and completed contracts,

Please click here

Contact

Submit the form to outline objectives, timelines, and scope so Andrew can respond to your needs.

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