John Coghlan

Principal / Chief Commercial Officer

John became a principal of Buildspect in 2010 following a long and distinguished career in the building industry. As principal of Coghlan Constructions, John gained extensive experience in residential construction, commercial fit-outs, marketing, sales and leasing. He has a strong practical knowledge of building techniques and trades. John is an associate member of the Australian Institute of Building, a member of the Australian Society of Building Consultants and a registered Building Practitioner.

Andrew Coghlan

Principal / Chief Operating Officer

Andrew is a chartered accountant, with over 20 years accounting and management experience. His career began at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu's audit division. He was later given responsibility for managing various large scale projects both within Deloitte and large government clients. Moving to the UK in 1999, Andrew held a number of management roles in both the Banking & Finance and Charity sectors, before founding an internet startup which was subsequently sold. In 2010 he returned to Australia to take a senior management position within the Buildspect group of companies. Andrew is still involved in the not-for-profit sector, holding a number of charity board positions both in Australia and the UK.

Peter Mackie

Peter is a Building Consultant specialising in the inspection of buildings and structures to determine defects for the purpose of Pre-Purchase Inspections, Pre-Construction Surveys, Stage Inspections and Swimming Pool compliance. Experienced in preparing reports for use in dispute resolution and Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) expert witness appearance.

Robert Lorich

Bob has more than 26 years industry experience in design, documentation, estimating and supervision on both domestic and commercial construction. Is past President of the Australian Society of Building Consultants and Treasurer of the Building Dispute Practitioners Society. Reviews contract documentation, prepares designs and drawings, quantities and costings, insurance and general building reports including Pre-Construction surveys for VicRoads, private contractors and local councils, inspection of owner built dwellings. Expert witness at VCAT Domestic Building List and Planning List, Magistrates Court, County Court and Supreme Court hearings.

Tony Croucher

Tony has in excess of 30 years experience in all facets of building and is a carpenter by trade. Tony was a Registered Builder for a period of approximately 20 years and was responsible for sales, design, estimating and both supervising and hands on construction of a wide range of projects. Prior to joining Buildspect, Tony spent 10 years working with a number of building companies but in particular with two of Victoria's largest builders. He has fulfilled roles such as Site Supervisor, Construction Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Warranty Manager and Metropolitan Building Manager. As Quality Assurance Manager, Tony was responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of a Quality Assurance program for completed homes and included training programs for Supervisors as well as monitoring the quality of completed homes. As Construction Manager and Residential Building Manager he was responsible for all facets of construction and was in control of teams of up to 35 people. Tony deals with all aspects of construction and building and carries out Pre-Purchase inspections, inspects and prepares reports on buildings and provides reports for litigation. He also appears as an expert witness at VCAT and in the Courts.

Christian Kent

Christian is a Chartered Surveyor being a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS). He has over 15 years’ of residential and commercial building consultancy experience, acquired in the UK and Australia. Christian has worked for several leading multi-disciplinary international consultancies which has exposed him to a diverse range of blue-chip clients and high value property transactions. Christian’s experience is predominantly in the field of Commercial Building Consultancy encompassing Technical Due Diligence inspections (TDD) and Dilapidation / Make-Good assessments. Previous inspections have included Warringah Mall (NSW), the former P&O resort portfolio (QLD) and139 Collins Street, Melbourne (VIC). Other areas of experience and interest include defect analysis, formulation of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) plans, and advising on neighbourly matters.

Laurie Mitchell

Laurie has approximately 40 years experience in all facets of building. Previous to joining Buildspect, Laurie was a manager of his own construction company specialising in new homes and unit developments with many awards achieved through the MBAV and HIA. He has also worked with small builders and large volume builders doing a variety of jobs such as Building Supervisor, Contract Maintenance Supervisor, Warranty & Service Manager, Construction Manager and Building Manager.

Mort Mitchell

Mort has been a building consultant for over 20 years, where he has worked in arbitrations, building disputes, pre-purchase and building reports, and all matters relating to building construction. As a Builder, Mort has been responsible for the construction of over 10,000 dwellings in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and has been a Managing Director of a major building company for forty years. Mort is an experienced Arbitrator and Mediator and also appears as an Expert Witness at VCAT.

Robert Quick

Robert has been a plumber in excess of 40 years (including apprenticeship) and has been a Licensed Plumber for 38 years. He is a Life Member of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia and is a former President, Vice President and Treasurer of the same association. Robert's experience in all facets of plumbing is vast and he has also formally studied the American plumbing system and the European Plumbing and Licensing system. As a Principal of Quick Plumbing, some of Robert's major projects have included Crown Casino, 101 and 120 Collins Street, Rialto Towers, Hyatt Hotels and St. Vincents Public Hospital as well as smaller commercial projects and numerous residential projects. Robert specialises in plumbing issues and carries out inspections, prepares reports and costings including providing reports for litigation. He is an accredited Mediator and Arbitrator, Adjudicator and appears as an Expert witness at both VCAT and in the Courts.

Vic Murray

Vic has a wealth of experience with over 35 years in design, installation and maintenance of residential and commercial heating and air conditioning, and mechanical services equipment. Vic has been a Licensed Plumber, Registered Building Practicioner (Commercial, unlimited), and has been Managing Director of several companies. Vic is a Past President of the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association, past Chairman of the Heating and Cooling Association of Australia (Division of MPA), and is a member of the Institute ofRefrigeration, Airconditioning and Heating.