Sample Building Report
Sample Building Report
Report Number
Inspection Address
Client’s Name
Date of Inspection
Inspector
This Report is produced for the Clients use only. The Company and the consultant are not liable for
any reliance placed on the report by any third party.
STANDARD INSPECTION REPORT - Tests were carried out (see also Clause A.1).
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Client acknowledges that, unless stated otherwise, the Client as a matter of urgency
should implement any recommendation or advice given in this Report. The Summary is not the Report. The
following Report must be read in full in conjunction with this Summary. If there is a discrepancy between the
information provided in this Summary and that contained within the body of the Report, the information in the body of
the Report shall override this Summary.
Structural defects were detected on the day of inspection. See item 3.1 - Structural Damage – in the defects
assessment for further details.
Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage were detected on the day of inspection. See item 3.2 - Conditions
Conducive to Structural Damage- in the Defects Assessment for further details.
Defects to the secondary and finishing elements of the property were detected on the day of inspection. See
item 3.3 - Significant Defects / Secondary and Finishing Elements- in the Defects Assessment for further
details.
Cracking was detected to sections of concrete pathways and / or driveway. This is a common issue with a
large percentage of homes and can be caused by many differing factors including poor ground preparation,
inadequate steel reinforcing, etc. Repairs are not considered essential, monitor for further changes.
Termite damage to built in garage walls, bedroom walls and roof void. Further investigation is required to
non-accessible areas to determine if further damage has occurred, affecting the structural integrity of the
building. Recommend seeking further advice from a licensed and practicing carpenter.
In conclusion, following the inspection of the surface work in the Readily Accessible Areas of the property, the overall
condition of the building on the day of the inspection in the context of the average condition of a similar building
of approximately the same age was considered:
Below Average
This report is limited to the agreed service requested. For all other aspects pertaining to the property you will require
consultation with relevant experts prior to settlement. These aspects may include, but are not limited to, fire and
segregation, egress, disabled access, plumbing, electrical, structural design, licensing, town planning, occupational
health and safety, regulatory compliance. No inspection to septic, grease traps, pump systems, tanks etc. as per
Australian Standards.
Recommend client or clients solicitor make the necessary enquiries with the local council into the legality of any
structure or additions on the property. Where possible, the records of the appropriate local authority should be
checked to determine or confirm – whether the ground which the building rests has been filled, is liable to subside, or
if it is flood prone & whether council has issued a building certificate or other notice for the dwelling.
The building report must be read in full and in conjunction with the timber pest report. It is essential that all
recommendations and notes made in the building and pest inspection reports be addressed prior to the contract
becoming binding.
The Consultant has endeavoured to access and inspect all areas of the property on the day of inspection,
however areas to which reasonable access for the full visual inspection were not available or were obstructed
or restricted are outlined below: -
Visual inspection to some timbers in the roof void were obstructed due to
the design of the roof.
Interior because:
2.1 Brief description of the building and other structures on the property:
Type: Domestic
IMPORTANT: THE PREMISES WOULD NEED TO BE VACANT AND CONTAINING NO STORED GOODS OR
FURNISHINGS TO ENABLE A THOROUGH VISUAL INSPECTION AS PER AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS 4349.3
2.5 Was the inspection limited to assessing the interior and immediate exterior of a particular unit? No
Was evidence of any significant impairment to the integrity of the whole or part of the building structure observed, or
revealed and/or confirmed under test conditions? (i.e. a matter, in view of the age and type of the building being
inspected, requiring substantial repairs or urgent attention and rectification)
Termite damage to built in garage walls, bedroom walls and roof void. Further investigation is required to
non-accessible areas to determine if further damage has occurred, affecting the structural integrity of the
building. Recommend seeking further advice from a licensed and practicing carpenter.
Was evidence of building deficiencies or environmental factors that may contribute to the occurrence
of Structural Damage observed, or revealed and/or confirmed under test conditions? (i.e. while not a
structural defect currently, if not repaired or maintained, may lead to structural damage in the future.)
Was evidence of any Defect (i.e. a matter, in view of the age and type of the building being inspected, does not
require substantial repairs or urgent attention and rectification) in the general condition of Secondary Elements and
Finishing Elements observed, or revealed and/or confirmed under test conditions? Yes
Recommend to divert hot water system overflow away from building foundations. Refer to Timber Pest
Inspection Report.
Timber fences have signs of decay/weathering, repair/replace where required. Recommend seeking further
advice from a licensed and practicing carpenter.
Drummy tile sections to areas of tiling this may be the result of poor glue coverage or separation of the tile
from the substructure. No evidence of cracking or lifting was detected on the day of inspection, recommend
to monitor for any further changes.
General wear to inside of kitchen and bathroom cabinets Defects in laminate sheeting and edging,
maintenance required.
Below Average
For further important information, including advice on the implementation of a preventative maintenance programme
see: (Clause A.3 “Important Note”).
However, due to the level of accessibility for inspection including the presence of obstructions, the overall degree of
risk of undetected Structural Damage and Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage was considered:
Moderate to High
5.0 CERTIFICATION
This document certifies that the property described in this Report has been inspected by the Building Consultant
in accordance with the level of service requested by the Client and the Terms and Conditions set out in Clause
A.1 as of this Report, and in strict accordance with the Australian Standards.
SCOPE
Unless specified in writing, this Standard Property Inspection Report (“the Report”) deals only with the detection, or non-detection of
Structural Damage, Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage and any Significant Defect in the general condition of Secondary
Elements and Finishing Elements discernible at the time of inspection. All other reports are Special-Purpose Inspection Reports.
As requested by the Client, the inspection assessment was based solely on the following inspection carried out by a Building
Consultant (“the Consultant’) of the Readily Accessible Areas of the property specified in this report:
Option 1 A visual examination of surface work (but excluding furniture and stored items), and the carrying out of Tests (see
Limitation No 1 below).
Option 2 An inspection report, which may include Option 1 as well as the particular requirements of the Client, which are
specified and attached to this document, where applicable.
NOTE. If the inspection was limited to assessing the interior of a particular unit or lot, the Client may have additional liability for
defects or faults in the common property. This additional liability can only be addressed through the undertaking of a special-
purpose inspection report which is adequately specified.
If the Client has any doubt about the Scope of this Report please discuss your concerns with the Consultant on receipt of the
Report.
The Client acknowledges that, unless stated otherwise, the Client as a matter of urgency should implement any recommendation or
advice given in this Report.
If the client fails to implement our recommendations or advice as stated within this Report, the client agrees and accepts that they
will not or cannot hold us responsible, as the client had an opportunity to:
Terminate the contract;
Ask the Vendor to rectify or repair; or
Renegotiate with the Vendor.
LIMITATIONS
1. This Report does not include the inspection and assessment of items or matters outside the scope of the requested
inspection and report. Other items or matters may be the subject of a Special-Purpose Inspection Report, which is
adequately specified (see Exclusions below).
2. This Report does not include the inspection and assessment of items or matters that do not fall within the Consultant’s direct
expertise.
3. The inspection only covered the Readily Accessible Areas of the property. The inspection did not include areas, which were
inaccessible, not readily accessible or obstructed at the time of inspection. Obstructions are defined as any condition or
physical limitation which inhibits or prevents inspection and may include – but are not limited to – roofing, fixed ceilings, wall
linings, floor coverings, fixtures, fittings, furniture, clothes, stored articles/materials, thermal insulation, sarking, pipe/duct
work, builders’ debris, vegetation, pavements or earth.
4. Australian Standard Inspection of Buildings. Part 1: Property Inspections – Residential Buildings recognises that a standard
property inspection report is not a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the building in the
future.
5. This Report was produced for the use of the Client. The Consultant is not liable for any reliance placed on this report by any
third party.
6. This report does not include inspection to or assessment of asbestos containing materials.
EXCLUSIONS
The Client acknowledges that this Report does not cover or deal with:
(i) any ‘minor fault or defect’, i.e. a matter, in view of the age, type and condition of the building being inspected, does not
require substantial repairs or urgent attention and rectification;
(ii) solving or providing costs for any rectification or repair work;
(iii) the structural design or adequacy of any element of construction.
(iv) detection of wood destroying insects such as termites and wood borers;
(v) the operation of fireplaces and solid fuel heaters, including chimneys and flues;
(vi) any services including building, engineering (electronic), fire and smoke detection, air-conditioning, light switches and
fittings, TV, sound and communications, intercom systems, garage door mechanisms, alarm and security systems or
mechanical;
(vii) any swimming pools and associated pool equipment or spa baths and spa equipment or the like;
(viii) any appliances such as dishwashers, insinkerators, ovens, stoves and ducted vacuum systems;
(ix) a review of occupational, health or safety issues such as asbestos content, or the provision of safety glass or swimming pool
fencing;
Any of the above matters may be the subject of a special-purpose inspection report, which is adequately specified and undertaken
by an appropriately qualified inspector.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
In engaging our services, the client hereby agrees and accepts to abide by our dispute resolution process.
If the client becomes aware of any concern regarding this Report, the client must notify our office immediately. Upon receipt of the
client’s complaint, we will endeavour to resolve the matter with the client in a telephone conversation. An onsite visit with the client
may be required in an effort to address and resolve the matter.
If we are unable to resolve the matter onsite, we will respond to the client’s complaint in writing within 14 days.
If the client is not satisfied with our response, the client may choose to contact the relevant local authority.
DEFINITIONS
Primary Elements means those parts of the building providing the basic loadbearing capacity to the Structure, such as
foundations, footings, floor framing, loadbearing walls, beams or columns. The term ‘Primary Elements’ also includes other
structural building elements including: those that provide a level of personal protection such as handrails; floor-to-floor access such
as stairways; and the structural flooring of the building such as floorboards.
Secondary Elements means those parts of the building not providing loadbearing capacity to the Structure, or those non-essential
elements which, in the main, perform a completion role around openings in Primary Elements and the building in general such as
non-loadbearing walls, partitions, wall linings, ceilings, chimneys, flashings, windows, glazing or doors.
Finishing Elements means the fixtures, fittings and finishes applied or affixed to Primary Elements and Secondary Elements such
as baths, water closets, vanity basins, kitchen cupboards, door furniture, window hardware, render, floor and wall tiles, trim or paint.
The term ‘Finishing Elements’ does not include furniture or soft floor coverings such as carpet and lino.
Structure means the loadbearing part of the building, comprising the Primary Elements.
Structural Damage means a significant impairment to the integrity of the whole or part of the Structure falling into one or more of
the following categories:
(a) Structural Cracking and Movement – major (full depth) cracking forming in Primary Elements resulting from differential
movement between or within the elements of construction, such as foundations, footings, floors, walls and roofs.
(b) Deformation – an abnormal change of shape of Primary Elements resulting from the application of load(s).
(c) Dampness – the presence of moisture within the building, which is causing consequential damage to Primary Elements.
(d) Structural Timber Pest Damage – structural failure, i.e. an obvious weak spot, deformation or even collapse of timber
Primary Elements resulting from attack by one or more of the following wood destroying agents: chemical delignification;
fungal decay; wood borers; and termites.
Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage means noticeable building deficiencies or environmental factors that may contribute
to the occurrence of Structural Damage.
Significant Defect means a matter, in view of the age and type of the building being inspected, requires substantial repairs or
urgent attention and rectification.
Client means the person or persons, for whom the Inspection Report was carried out or their Principal (i.e. the person or persons
for whom the report is being obtained).
Building Consultant means a person, business or company who is qualified and experienced to undertake a Standard Property
Inspection Report in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349. “Inspection of Buildings. Part 1: Property Inspections –
Residential Buildings”. The consultant must also meet any Government licensing requirement, where applicable.
Tests means where appropriate the carrying out of tests using the following procedures and instruments:
(a) Dampness Tests means additional attention to the visual examination was given to those accessible areas which the
consultant’s experience has shown to be particularly susceptible to damp problems. Instrument testing using an electronic
moisture detecting meter of those areas and other visible accessible elements of construction showing evidence of
dampness was performed.
(b) Physical Tests means the following physical actions undertaken by the consultant: opening and shutting of doors, windows
and draws; operation of taps; water testing of shower recesses; and the tapping of tiles and wall plaster.
A.2 ACCESSIBILITY
Unless specified in writing, the inspection only covered the Readily Accessible Areas of the property.
The inspection did not include areas, which were inaccessible, not readily accessible or obstructed at the time of inspection. Areas,
which are not normally accessible, were not inspected and include - but not limited to - the interior of a flat roof or beneath a
suspended floor filled with earth.
Building Interior:
The consultant did not move or remove any ceilings, wall coverings, floor coverings (including carpeting and wooden floorboards),
furnishing, equipment, appliances, pictures or other household goods. In an occupied property, furnishings or household items may
be concealing evidence of defects, which may only be revealed when the items are moved or removed.
NOTE. In the case of strata and company title properties or other Class 2 buildings or equivalent, if the inspection was limited to
assessing the interior of a particular unit or lot, the Client may have additional liability for defects in the common property. This
additional liability can only be addressed through the undertaking of a special-purpose inspection report, which is adequately
specified.
Roof Space:
Obstructions such as roofing, stored articles, thermal insulation, sarking and pipe/duct work may be concealing evidence of defects,
which may only be revealed when the obstructions are moved or removed. Also, bodily access should be provided to the interior of
all accessible roof spaces. In accordance with Australian Standard As 4349 the minimum requirement is a 450 mm by 400 mm
access manhole.
Subfloor Space:
Storage of materials in subfloor areas is not recommended as it reduces ventilation and makes inspection difficult. Obstructions
may be concealing evidence of defects, which may only be revealed when the obstructions are moved or removed. Bodily access
should be provided to all accessible subfloor areas. In accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349 the minimum requirement is
a 500 mm x 400 mm access manhole. In the case of suspended floors, if the clearance between the ground and structural
components is less than 400 mm, then the ground should be excavated to provide the required clearance, subject to maintaining
adequate drainage and support to footings. If the subfloor has been sprayed for subterranean termites or if the area is susceptible
to mould growth, appropriate health precautions must be followed before entering the area. Also, special care should be taken not
to disturb the treated soil. For further advice consult the person who carried out this report.
Special attention should be given to the Scope, Limitations and Exclusions in this document.
Unless stated otherwise in this Report, the Client as a matter of urgency should implement any recommendation or advice
given in this Report.
Importantly, Australian Standard Inspection of Buildings. Part 1: Property Inspections – Residential Buildings recognises
that a standard property report is not a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the building in
the future. Accordingly, a preventative maintenance program should be implemented for the property which includes
systematic inspections, detection and prevention of incipient failure. Please contact the Consultant who carried out this
inspection for further advice.
The presence of dampness is not always consistent as the prevailing and recent weather conditions at the time an inspection is
carried out may affect the detection of damp problems. The absence of any dampness at the time of inspection does not
necessarily mean the building will not experience some damp problems in other weather conditions. Likewise whether or not
services have been used for some time prior to an inspection being carried out will affect the detection of dampness. Also, where a
shower recess has been water tested for a minimum of ten (10) minutes, and no leakage was evident, this does not necessarily
mean that the shower will not leak after prolonged use. Accordingly, to fully detect and assess a damp problem, may require the
monitoring of the building over a period of time.
This inspection and report only deals with the detection, or non-detection of structural damage, conditions conducive to structural
damage and any significant defect in the general condition of secondary elements and finishing elements discernible at the time of
inspection.
This additional information or advice may be the subject of a special-purpose inspection report, which is adequately specified and
undertaken by an appropriately qualified inspector.
In addition, this inspection and report does not include the inspection and assessment of items or areas that do not fall within the
consultant’s expertise. Accordingly, consideration should be given to other specialist inspections and services such as: hydraulics;
geotechnics; or building, engineering (electronic), fire and smoke detection or mechanical services.
As a matter of course, in the interests of safety, an inspection and assessment of the electrical and plumbing/gas installations
should be carried out by a suitably qualified person.
Also, in all parts of mainland Australia, termites are a known problem to timber in service. Therefore, it is recommended that a
timber pest inspection and report be carried out in accordance with the Report Systems Australia handbook Timber Pest Detection
Reports.
Where possible, the records of the appropriate local authority should be checked to determine or confirm:
whether the ground on which the building rests has been filled, is liable to subside, is subject to landslip or tidal inundation,
or if it is flood prone;
the status of the property and services (e.g. compliance of the building with the provisions of any building Act, code,
regulation or by-laws); and
whether council has issued a building certificate or other notice for the dwelling.
Where appropriate, legal advice (e.g. from a solicitor) should be sought to explain title and ownership matters and to deal with
matters concerning easements, covenants, restrictions, zoning certificates and all other law-related matters.
This inspection report was produced for the use of the client. The building consultant is not liable for any reliance placed on the
report by any third party.
If you have any queries with this report or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the consultant
who carried out the inspection.
(1) Check silicone sealants to roof flashings – ultraviolet rays of the sun will breakdown these (if unprotected) in a
few years. All minor cracks to roof tiles should be sealed and all pointing to capping tiles regularly maintained
with silicone to prevent any leakage and water damage to internal ceilings.
3. Check sealants and grouts to all decks & balconies and “wet areas”. Upper level patio floors which are not
waterproofed may leak onto lower levels. Tiled shower cubicles are likely to LEAK if not sealed at floor levels!!
Tile glues can “crystallise” in a few years if incorrectly applied. Timber rot and decay can be concealed behind
showers and other wet areas.
4. Treat all exposed timbers – 50% raw linseed oil + 50% turps. Tops of open decks, floor joists and tops of open
pergolas – moisture will cause timber to decay (dry & wet rot).
5. Check moisture around timber and steel stumps/supports and posts – moisture causes decay and rust and can
attract termites.
6. Avoid having timbers, posts, stairs, cladding etc. in direct contact with the ground. This will help reduce the risk
of termites and timber rot. Oregon timbers are highly prone to timber rot and should not be used externally for
pergolas, hand rails, external floor joists and beams, etc. When freshly painted timber rot can be hard to detect
through visual inspection.
7. All windows and glass to home should be brought in accordance with Australian Standards. AS2047 &
AS1288.
8. Drain all surface water away from house (refer to CSIRO info sheet 10-91 attached) – 600mm wide paving
around house is recommended. Water will swell ground clays and cause movement to foundations and crack
brick and block walls. Recommend diverting all downpipes to curb where possible. Internal retaining walls can
leak in heavy rain.
9. Any patched or repaired cracking past or present to brickwork or sheeting may require further investigation and
should be monitored in the future.
10. For safety reasons, handrails and balustrading higher than 1 meter above the finished ground level (FGL)
should be brought into accordance with current building codes and regulations.
11. Keep trees and gardens away from foundations of house. Keep weep holes in brickwork clear at all times.
Covered weep holes can lead to rising damp and termite infestation.
12. Older homes should be checked for lead based paint and should have all lead based paint removed by a
professional painter due to safety concerns.
13. Recommend installation or renewal of termite treatment and/or an annual pest inspection and report.
14. All gas fittings and storage cylinders should be checked by a licensed installer for safe operation and operation
of all fixtures.
This inspection is based on “visible and accessible” areas only on the day of inspection. It is recommended that
access be gained to all areas due to possible concealment of faults. An opinion on the shrinkage and swelling
of reactive soils to dry and wet conditions affecting foundations and any subsequent movement of “inaccessible
areas” cannot be given. The Building Inspector will not be held responsible for deliberate concealment of
defects.
This inspection has been carried out to the local building code of the day of construction. This does not mean
that the improvements meet today’s local Building Codes. Any safety issues with this property raised or not in
the report are the responsibility of the client/recipient of this report to rectify.