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PLUMBI
NG CONNECTION
SUMMER 2015 23
of people you’re on a constant merry-go-round. You have
to make sure that you have sufficient income to pay them,
as well as cover your overheads, ensure that the work is
being completed to a high standard and then on top of that,
manage the whole process through strikes, holidays etc.
“We followed the Grollos into the high-rise projects so
that we were in the middle of the industrial scene.”
Robert shut the business down over 10 years ago, and as
can often be the case when one isn’t ready to retire, comes
the question, ‘What am I going to do with myself now?’
“I thought of the things I was good at and what I actually
enjoyed doing. I always liked the legal side of things. For
every contract I had to sign, I had to negotiate the clauses
in it. I read them all extremely thoroughly before putting my
signature on the dotted line.”
The decision came about quite easily.
“I thought of ways I could combine my passion for
plumbing with my interest in the legal side and decided that I
could be an arbitrator. I first did a mediation course with The
Institute of Arbitrators & Mediators Australia in Melbourne
that would see me become a certified mediator which was
the first step to becoming an arbitrator. I then completed
a Professional Certificate in Arbitration-Advanced and
General through Adelaide University.”
Robert eventually set up QP Consulting which is able to
support owners, managers and body corporates, with expert
advice in new building or renovation inspections, plumbing
investigations of water leaks, water ingress, pre-building
waterproofing, waterproofing of facades and balcony
installations (inspections), piping and roofing problems.
While Robert’s business revolves around the provision
of mediation and helps clients reach an amicable solution;
he would much rather people avoid the cost, time and
energy required to take part in the process. The way to
do that, Robert believes, is through clear and concise
communication between all parties. He also believes that
plumbers need to become more vocal with builders and their
clients.
“If you have to make a change, explain it to the client or
homeowner, because even if a client isn’t happy with some
of the work, so long as the relationship is good, you can talk
to one another and work things out,” Robert says.
We asked Robert to share some common scenarios where
the need for mediation has arisen.