🧱 What Happens if Hidden Problems Are Found During Building Work?

Renovations don’t always go exactly as planned — especially in older homes. Once walls come down or floors are lifted, hidden issues can appear. These surprises can be stressful, but understanding how they’re handled makes the process much smoother

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What kinds of hidden problems are common

• How builders deal with them

• What it means for your budget & timeline

• How to protect yourself before work begins

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🕵️ Common Hidden Problems Found During Home Renovations

When a builder starts opening up your home, they may discover issues such as:

✅ Rotting timber

✅ Damp and mould

✅ Asbestos

✅ Outdated or unsafe electrics

✅ Weak or damaged structural beams

✅ Poor plumbing or leaks

✅ Unstable foundations

✅ Hidden pest damage

These problems are usually impossible to see during quoting — and often only appear once work has begun.

🛠️ What Happens When a Problem is Found?

A professional builder will:

1. Pause work in the affected area

2. Explain the issue clearly (photos included)

3. Recommend solutions

4. Provide a revised quote or variation notice

5. Agree any extra costs & time before continuing

A good contractor will never continue work without discussing it first.

💰 Will It Cost More?

In most cases — yes, because it's additional work that wasn’t visible or included in the original quote.

This might include:

• Labour for fixing the issue

• Replacement materials

• Specialist services (e.g. asbestos removal, structural engineer)

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Tip: Ask for a contingency of 10–20% of your budget to cover unexpected issues. If you don’t need it — great! But you’ll be prepared if you do.

⏳ Will It Delay the Project?

It can, depending on the problem. For example:

• Minor rot repair: small delay

• Structural issue: longer delay

• Asbestos: needs licensed removal & inspection

Your builder should explain the time impact as soon as they know.

📋 How to Protect Yourself Before Work Starts

To avoid surprises turning into stress:

✅ Get a detailed contract & scope of works

✅ Ask how variations & extras are handled

✅ Build a contingency into your budget

✅ Choose a builder experienced with your property type

✅ Request regular progress updates

Bonus: If your home is older (pre-1990s), expect more potential surprises — and plan accordingly.

🧘 Final Thoughts

Hidden issues can feel frustrating — but they’re usually necessary to fix for safety and long-term value.

With clear communication, proper planning, and the right builder, surprises don’t have to derail your project — they become a manageable part of improving your home.