Testimonials

Hi Terry,
"Look, I think the best thing and the most comforting for my clients is your incisive analysis of the problems, your tenacious pursuit of realistic solutions and your reputation for staying with it to the end. Personally, I cannot remember a single occasion when your technical solution has been rejected by the tribunal of fact."

PowerServe’s recent training experience with Sterlings was an excellent practical approach with "genuine” examples from the contractual environment applicable to our industry. All participants found Terry’s candid approach with negotiation one in which all could absorb and apply in their own working environment. Our participants were from all areas across the business from finance and project administration to operational and senior management. The application of the training was utilised immediately and PowerServe would not hesitate to recommend Sterlings. In fact Terry’s contractual and project management experience has played an integral role within our current supervisor program.

Sterlings Pty Ltd (Mr Terry Roche) was introduced to me in 1999 at the outset of our feasibility study to develop Shoal Bay Resort & Spa. A considerable input was provided on the efficiencies required for site construction management given the project was to proceed over 5 stages with an anticipated construction timeframe of 4.5 years.

The project consisted of 204 apartments within 6 buildings, a large Resort Spa and indoor pool in a separate building, a 340 seat Convention Centre, 4 restaurants, Country Club Hotel and 4 other bars, gaming and TAB facilities, a bottle shop, 2 exterior heated pools and spas, amenities area, kids club, commercial laundry and all the associated storage and administration office, reception area and security areas. There are also 246 undercover secured car spaces on site which was a significant construction requirement given the Resort's beachfront locations in Shoal Bay.

The builder, Thiess Pty Ltd ( a division of Leighton Holdings, Australia's largest builder) performed all of the construction, fitout and furnishing of the whole project that commenced in 2001 and the builder finally left the site in 2007.

Sterlings supervised the drafted construction agreements, administered the site on a daily basis right through to finalising defects. Terry enjoyed our complete trust and we as the development and management company, are delighted that the project came in on time and budget with construction costs exceeding $62m.

The writer is happy to endorse this reference with more specific information. Terry has demonstrated total professionalism, has earned the respect of all consultants and service providers and now carries our unqualified recommendation regarding his ability, dedication and achievement.

We have engaged the services of Sterlings on a number of occasions. Terry successfully helped us to resolve disputes and get paid. It makes a lot of sense to use Terry to assist with dispute resolution because he is an expert in the building industry and can put all the facts together. This usually results in the dispute being resolved, or if not, when the dispute escalates to litigation stage, then all the preliminary work is done, saving lawyer’s time and money. We have also used Terry to review proposed subcontract agreements and give us advice, as to the possible pitfalls and then we can make informed decisions about the risk.

I have known and dealt professionally with Terry Roche (and Sterlings) for over 10 years, first while I was Manager Industrial Relations and Legal with Newcastle Master Builders Association, then while I was in private legal practice and, more recently, while I have been working as a specialist Workplace Relations consultant.

Throughout that period I have called on Terry’s services to assist MBA members and my clients in a range of capacities: dispute resolution facilitation; expert witness and/or adviser; adviser on contracts and contracting matters; review of tenders and project documentation; advice and direct assistance with project management (especially strategic considerations); and general advice on technical, project contractual management and business matters. I have also recommended him to clients to provide specialist training on project and contract management.

In all of these areas, I have found Terry’s professionalism, knowledge and skills to be of a very high order. Of particular importance in dealing with participants in the construction industry, I have found Terry’s extensive practical experience and down to earth approach to be of immense assistance in ensuring that his advice and assistance has been effective and very productive for his (and my) clients.

In my own experience, the ability to tell "war-stories” and speak the builders’ and contractors’ own language is essential in working with such clients, and Terry does it very effectively. This pays immediate dividends in achieving quick and effective communication and, more importantly, building a client’s trust and confidence.

I never hesitate in recommending Sterlings services to clients and contacts in the industry and am very grateful to have had Terry’s willing assistance and friendship over the years.

Sterlings has helped us by:

• promptly responding to our telephone inquiries and requests to review documents
• by promptly arranging inspections and providing reports
• by accurately identifying items that are defects and cost effective rectification scopes (and costing estimates)
• by drafting reports in reply to other consultant reports and succinctly identifying areas of
• disagreement and providing logical reasoning in support of Sterlings’ opinions
• attending site expert conclaves (ordered by the Consumer and Trader Tenancy Tribunal) and
• achieving a high rate of agreed Joint Reports and agreed rectification scopes, thereby narrowing
• issues in dispute and enabling cases to be resolved
• by being courteous and professional in all dealings and interactions with us and our clients
• being reasonably and competitively priced for the complex and time consuming nature of
• contested matters and insurance claims

I am confident that Sterlings can and will help others in the same way as detailed above, and provide professional and high quality services at a fair and reasonable price.

This is a reference in respect of MR. TERRY ROCHE of Sterlings.

Terry was recommended and introduced to W. & E. Spackman by a friend also involved in the building industry and a client of Sterlings.

Our particular circumstances, due to the personalities involved, had reached a stand-off position and needed a negotiator and/or arbitrator.

Initially, Terry, quickly and accurately assessed the situation and acted upon the information. Terry went about the business of resolving what seemed to be an impossible predicament, confidently and efficiently, reaching a resolution more satisfactorily than appeared possible.

Terry's ability to deal with difficult and sometimes aggressive characters proved a distinct advantage. His knowledge of the Building Code, Contracts, Agreements and Court Proceedings is comprehensive.

Throughout the dealings we were kept informed and up to date with itemised correspondence, 'phone and facsimile messages. Terry always returned 'phone inquiries promptly which is always reassuring.

We highly recommend Terry for any building related disputes and we are happy to further attest to Terry's expertise if required.

We are extremely grateful for Terry's services.