Guides · Western Australia
Scott Schedule template for building defects (free)
A Scott Schedule turns a pile of photos and emails into one numbered table that a builder, an inspector or a tribunal can work through line by line.
General information, not legal advice — check current requirements with the Building and Energy / Building Commission or a lawyer.
What a Scott Schedule is for
In a building dispute, the hardest thing for anyone deciding it is keeping track of dozens of separate items. A Scott Schedule solves that. Each defect gets one row. Each row says where it is, what is wrong, what you rely on, what you want, and leaves space for the builder’s answer and for whoever eventually decides.
In WA, if you complain to the Building Commissioner, the Notice of proposed complaint you give your builder forms the basis of the complaint schedule you lodge, and Building and Energy publishes an example complaint schedule with its forms. Starting your list in a schedule layout early means you are not rebuilding it under pressure later.
The columns that matter
| Column | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Item no. | A fixed number that never changes. Matches your photos, letters and notice. |
| Location | Room and position, e.g. “Ensuite — floor, in front of vanity”. |
| Defect description | What is wrong, specifically, with measurements. |
| Requirement relied on | The contract term, standard or tolerance you say was not met — only one you have actually checked. |
| Evidence | Photo numbers, measurement records, reports. |
| Remedy sought | What you want done: rectify, pay the cost of rectifying, or other. |
| Owner’s cost estimate | If you have a quote, the amount and who it is from. |
| Builder’s response | Left blank for the builder: accepted, disputed (and why), or proposed fix. |
| Builder’s cost estimate | Left blank for the builder. |
| Comments / decision | Left blank for an inspector, conciliator or tribunal. |
Copy this header row into any spreadsheet to start:
Item no.,Location,Defect description,Requirement relied on,Evidence,Remedy sought,Owner cost estimate,Builder response,Builder cost estimate,Comments / decisionA worked example row
Item no.: 14
Location: Ensuite — floor tiles between vanity and shower screen
Defect description: Step (lippage) between adjacent floor tiles measured at up to 3 mm at four joints. Photos 14-1 to 14-4 show a straightedge and feeler gauge in place.
Requirement relied on: WA Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2019, clause 12.09 — lippage between two adjacent tiles over 2 mm is defective.
Remedy sought: Lift and relay affected tiles to within tolerance, matching tiles and grout.
Builder’s response / costs / decision: (left blank)
Notice what the example does not do. It does not call the work “shoddy”. It gives a location, a measurement, the photos, one checked reference, and a clear request. That is the whole skill.
Common mistakes
- Renumbering rows. Every earlier letter that says “item 14” now points at the wrong thing. Mark items fixed or withdrawn instead.
- Citing a standard you have not read. Wrong or outdated clause numbers are common and easy for the other side to attack. If unsure, describe the problem and leave the reference for your inspector.
- Padding the list. A shorter list of items you can prove is stronger than a long one with weak items mixed in.
- Photos stored somewhere else. If a photo is not labelled with its item number, it is very hard to use later.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Scott Schedule?
A Scott Schedule is a table that lists each item in dispute on its own numbered row, with columns for each side’s position and costs. It is widely used in building disputes because it lets a decision-maker work through items one at a time instead of reading long letters.
Does WA require a particular format?
Building and Energy publishes an example complaint schedule alongside its complaint form, and the Notice of proposed complaint you give your builder forms the basis of the schedule you lodge. Use their example when lodging with them. If your matter is in a tribunal or arbitration, follow any format the tribunal or arbitrator directs.
Can I use a spreadsheet?
Yes. A spreadsheet works for a short list. The risk grows with the list: renumbered rows, photos stored separately and edits that overwrite what you said earlier. Whatever you use, keep item numbers fixed.
Should I put a standard or clause number against every item?
Only where you have actually checked it applies. A wrong citation is worse than none, because it gives the other side a reason to doubt the rest of the schedule. “Visible from normal viewing position” and a clear photo can be enough for many finish items.
Keep your defect record in one place
Defend My Build keeps each defect’s photos, location and notes together in one project, and lays the list out as a Scott Schedule you can export to CSV. There is a free plan.
Sources checked for this page
Last reviewed 2026-10-13. Requirements change — check the current version of each source.
- Building and Energy — Complaint fees and forms, incl. example complaint schedule (wa.gov.au, updated 1 Jul 2026)
- Building and Energy — Building dispute resolution: Notice of proposed complaint (wa.gov.au, updated 25 Jun 2026)
- Western Australia Guide to Standards and Tolerances 2019, clause 12.09 (example row)
Related guides
General information, not legal advice — check current requirements with the Building and Energy / Building Commission or a lawyer.