Should Strata Committees and Body Corporates Use Independent Consultants?

Strata committees and body corporates are tasked with making decisions that impact property value, owner finances, and community wellbeing. From repairs and maintenance to major capital works, the stakes are high.

This raises the question: should strata committees and body corporates engage independent consultants? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

The Case For Independent Consultants

1. Unbiased Advice
   Independent consultants aren’t contractors trying to win work, and they’re not tied to specific service providers. Their advice is neutral, helping committees make decisions based on merit, not influence.

2. Technical Expertise
   Building works are complex. Waterproofing, structural repairs, and compliance all require specialist knowledge. Independent consultants help committees define scope properly, oversee works, and ensure compliance with building codes and Australian Standards.

3. Comprehensive Reporting
   One of the key advantages of engaging consultants is the independent reports they produce. These reports:

   • Document existing conditions in detail.

   • Outline the scope of works in clear, practical terms.

   • Provide cost benchmarks and comparisons across contractor quotes.

   • Track progress with photographs, notes, and compliance checks.

   • Highlight risks before they escalate into disputes.

   Reports give strata committees something contractors rarely provide: transparent, professional documentation that can be shared with owners, insurers, and regulators. They create a permanent record of why decisions were made and provide accountability that protects the committee from criticism or liability.

4. Financial Safeguards
   Committees control owners’ money, often through sinking funds or special levies. Consultants benchmark costs, review quotes, and verify value-for-money, protecting committees from overspending or approving inflated prices.

5. Risk Reduction
   Many disputes arise from unclear contracts, vague scopes, or poor monitoring. Independent consultants draft scopes carefully, document changes, and monitor performance, reducing disputes and strengthening the committee’s position if issues do arise.

6. Transparency and Confidence
   Reports and neutral advice demonstrate to owners that decisions are made responsibly. Transparency builds trust and reduces internal conflict within the committee.

The Case Against Independent Consultants

1. Additional Cost
   Consultants charge fees, and committees may feel those funds are better spent directly on works. For smaller projects, this can be a valid consideration.

2. Overlap With Strata Managers
   Some committees rely heavily on their strata manager, who may provide recommendations or manage works. Bringing in a consultant can feel like duplication, though in practice the roles differ — managers administer, consultants advise technically.

3. Perceived Complexity
   Engaging consultants can feel like adding another layer to the process. Committees that value simplicity may prefer to rely on direct contractor quotes, even if it carries more risk.

Striking the Balance

Whether to use an independent consultant comes down to scale, complexity, and risk.

• For minor repairs or routine maintenance, the cost of a consultant may outweigh the benefit.

• For significant works — waterproofing, façade repairs, structural upgrades, or major capital projects — the cost of independent advice is usually small compared to the financial and compliance risks at stake.

And in those larger projects, independent reports are invaluable: they give owners visibility, create accountability, and help committees show they’re acting transparently and responsibly.

Where PillarPoint Fits

At PillarPoint, we work with strata committees and body corporates on an as-needed basis. Our role isn’t to replace managers or contractors — it’s to provide neutral, technical, and commercial advice when projects demand it.

We:

• Review scopes and contractor pricing independently.

• Produce clear reports that owners and committees can rely on.

• Oversee works to ensure compliance and quality.

• Protect committees from financial and reputational risk.

Committees aren’t locked into ongoing overheads — we provide support only when it’s needed.

Final Thoughts

So, should strata committees and body corporates use independent consultants?

The answer is: it depends. For routine, low-value works, committees may be comfortable managing without them. But for complex, costly, or high-risk projects, independent consultants provide critical protection — safeguarding owners’ money, ensuring compliance, and giving committees confidence in their decisions.

Most importantly, consultants provide something contractors don’t: independent reports. These reports justify decisions, document conditions, and provide a transparent record that protects committees long after the work is done.

At PillarPoint, our goal is to provide that protection when it matters most. Independent, transparent, and focused solely on the best outcome for the committee and the owners.