The committee was set up in 2002 by two industry organisations, the Construction Confederation and the Building Union, together with consumer representatives Test Aankoop and the Royal Federation of Architects Associations. The Flemish architect organisation NAV joined in 2005. The intention was to provide an option of conciliation in the case of customer complaints over the work of building contractors, without having to go to court.
Of the complaints received, 71 cases made it to the conciliation stage. Eight out of 10 of those cases were conducted in Dutch, while last the number was seven. The vast majority of 86% were complaints regarding contractors, with only 14% resulting from complaints from contractors. Only 13% of cases involved the participation of a lawyer on behalf of one of the parties, suggesting that most parties bring their problems directly to the committee.
A spokesman for the committee stressed that the increase in the number of complaints was not a sign that builders are making more mistakes but that the public is more aware of the existence of the committee. Many complainants are referred to the committee by contractors themselves.
“Eight years of operation demonstrates the existence of an enormous demand and the need for information and support during construction,” said Geert Coene, committee chairman, in a foreword to the annual report. “The committee has become more and more a point of contact for the public seeking legal and practical assistance in the construction sector.”
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