What makes balcony repair quotes easier to compare?
Give each contractor the same photos, leak history, approximate dimensions and access information. Ask quotes to distinguish investigation, tile removal, preparation, waterproofing and reinstatement, including assumptions about concealed conditions. Confirm the authorised contact and approval status. In a strata building, clarify responsibilities and processes with the manager before arranging work.
Checklist before discussing the work
- Include safe photos of the surface, threshold, drains, wall junctions, edges and visible damage below.
- Separate confirmed findings from suspected causes, and attach available reports.
- Ask which layers remain, which checks and records are included, and how unexpected conditions will be handled.
- Provide working-hour rules and delivery access; for complex repairs, establish whether a consultant’s specification is needed.
Sources and what they cover
- NSW Government — Remedial building work in regulated buildings ↗
Covers project boundaries, investigations and design requirements for relevant regulated buildings. Ask the appropriate practitioner whether it applies to your work.
- ARDEX TB251 — Waterproofing and tiling over existing external tiles (PDF) ↗
Manufacturer discussion of concealed substrates, retained moisture, drainage and thresholds. Its position on overlay systems is manufacturer guidance, not a universal legal prohibition.
The checklist helps prepare an enquiry. These sources provide general information, not a diagnosis, project specification or the current instructions for the selected products.
Photograph the whole assembly
Include a wide view, door threshold, drains, wall junctions, edges and any visible damage below. Add approximate dimensions and explain whether the balcony is covered. Do not climb into unsafe positions to obtain photographs.
Write a short event history
Note when moisture appears, whether it follows rain or cleaning, and what previous work changed. Attach available reports and distinguish confirmed findings from suspected causes. This prevents an untested assumption becoming the basis of every quote.
Request the stages separately
Ask the proposal to identify investigation, tile removal, preparation, waterproofing and reinstatement. It should explain what remains in place and what happens if exposed conditions differ from the initial assumptions. Ask which checks and records are included.
Resolve access and authority
Supply the authorised contact, approval status, working-hour rules and delivery route. In a strata building, ask the manager about applicable responsibilities and processes. For complex remedial work, establish whether a consultant's design or specification is needed before seeking installation prices.
Use this guide to prepare for a conversation. A site assessment and the selected system’s current instructions determine the work required for an individual property.
Questions that may come next
Choose the question that fits your situation, then use the guidance to discuss the work your property needs.
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Further reading
Guide publisher: Ellis Waterproofing & Tiling · Ellis Services Group
This guide brings together project-planning questions and the official or manufacturer information listed on this page. The appointed contractor must confirm the cause, scope and product suitability for the actual property.
Content checked: · How we prepare our guides ↗