Terms & Conditions

To avoid any misunderstanding as to the type of inspection we will carry out and the scope of the resulting report. You should read and understand this document. If you do not cancel the requested inspection, then you agree that this document forms part of the agreement between you and us. We will carry out the inspection and report ordered by you in accordance with this agreement and you agree to pay for the inspection and report.

In ordering the inspection, you agree that the inspection will be carried out in accordance with the following clauses, which define the scope and limitations of the inspection and the report.

SCOPE OF THE INSPECTION & THE REPORT

  1. Standards Australia has produced Inspections of buildings standard, AS4349.1-2007.
    All Building inspections will be carried out in accordance with this standard.
    Australian Standard AS439.3 sets a minimum standard for visual timber pest inspections as part of the building inspection standards. All Pest inspections will be carried out in accordance with this standard.
  2. A copy of this standard can be obtained from Standards Australia.
  3. All inspections will be non-invasive visual inspections and will be limited to those areas and sections of the property to which Reasonable Access is both available and permitted on the date and the time of the inspection.
  4. The inspection WILL NOT involve any invasive inspection including cutting, breaking apart, dismantling, removing or moving objects including, but not limited to, roofing, wall and ceiling sheeting, ducting, foliage, mouldings, debris, roof insulation, sarking, sisalation, floor or wall coverings, sidings, fixtures, floors, pavers, furnishings, appliances or personal possessions.
  5. The inspector CANNOT see or inspect inside walls, between floors, inside skillion roofs, inside the eaves, behind stored goods in cupboards, in other areas that are concealed or obstructed. Insulation and sisalation in the roof void will conceal timbers and may make inspection of the area unsafe for the inspector.
    The inspector WILL NOT dig, gouge, force or perform any other invasive procedures. An invasive inspection will not be performed unless a separate contract is entered into.
  6. The Building inspection WILL NOT report on the presence or not of timber pest activity. A Timber Pest Inspection should be obtained to comment on the presence of any pest activity.
  7. In the process of performing the Building inspection, if Timber pest damage is found it will be noted in the report. The inspector will only report on the damage which is readily visible. There may be concealed damage in walls etc and we strongly recommend you arrange an invasive inspection to discover the full extent of the damage. If any evidence of timber pest damage is reported, activity may also be present. We recommend a timber pest inspection be carried out immediately.
  8. ASBESTOS: “No inspection for asbestos will be carried out at the property and no report on the presence or absence asbestos will be provided. If during the course of the inspection asbestos or materials containing asbestos happened to be noticed then this may be noted in the body of the report. Buildings built prior to 1982 may have wall and/or ceiling sheeting and other products including roof sheeting that contain asbestos. Even buildings built after this date up until the early 90s may contain some asbestos. Sheeting should be fully sealed. If you are concerned or if the building was built prior to 1990, you should seek advice from a qualified asbestos removal expert as to the amount and importance of the asbestos present and the cost of sealing or removal. Drilling, cutting or removing sheeting or products containing asbestos is high risk to your health. You should seek advice from a qualified asbestos specialist.
  9. MOULD (MILDEW AND NON-WOOD DECAY FUNGI) DISCLAIMER: Mildew and non wood decay fungi is commonly known as mould. However, mould and there spores may cause health problems or allergic reactions such as asthma and dermatitis in some people. No inspection for mould will be carried out at the property and no report on the presence or absence of mould will be provided. If in the course of the inspection, mould happened to be noticed, it may be noted in the body of the report. If mould is noted as present within the property or if you notice mould and you are concerned as to the possible health risk resulting from its presence then you should seek advice from your local council, Commonwealth Government Health Department or a qualified expert such as a Industry Hygienist.
  10. ESTIMATING DISCLAIMER: Any estimates provided in the report are merely opinions, generally speaking we do not provide cost estimates as part of a Pre-Purchase Building Report, or a Pest Inspection Report. If a Special Purpose Report is requested, then some estimates may be required. The Estimates are not a guarantee or quotation for work to be carried out, they are a guide only, and it is recommended that quotations be obtained from the appropriate tradesman or specialist, to give a more accurate indication of actual cost required to complete work required. The inspector accepts no liability for any estimates throughout any report or verbally.
  11. If the property is occupied or furnished then you must be aware that furnishings or household items may conceal evidence of problems, which may only be revealed when the items are removed or moved. In some cases concealment may be deliberate. If you are the purchaser of the property, you should obtain a statement from the owner as to their knowledge of any timber pest activity or damage, timber repairs or other repairs, alterations or other problems to the property known to them and what, if any, other work has been carried out to the property including Timber Pest Treatments. It is important to obtain copies of any paperwork issued and the details of the work carried out.
  12. Subject to reasonable access the Inspection will normally report on the conditions of each of the following areas:-
    The interior
    The roof void
    The exterior
    The subfloor
    The roof exterior
    The property within the boundaries up to 50 metres including fences, but will not report on pools, spas or ponds etc. You should obtain the services of a pool specialist to carry out an inspection and a report.
  13. The inspections Will not cover or report on the following conditions:-
    • Environmental matters such as aspects, sunlight, privacy, streetscape, views etc
    • Proximity to railways, flight paths or busy road traffic etc
    • Health or safety conditions such as the presence of asbestos, lead, radon or toxic soils
    • Heritage or security matters
    • Apart from surface water drainage, site drainage including storm water and sewage
    • The condition of pools or spas ponds etc
    • Fire protection or safety
    • Plumbing and electrical wiring etc including unauthorised plumbing or electrical work
    • Unauthorised or illegal building work
    • The durability of exposed finish materials
    • Neighbourhood usage such as pests, closeness to mines, public transport, hotels, stormwater drains, public entertainment venues etc
    • Documents analysis eg sewer drainage, plans and diagrams, surveys, building approvals, compliance etc.
  14. Where the property is a strata or similar title, the inspector will only inspect the interior and immediate exterior of the particular property requested to be inspected.
  15. The inspector will report the conditions that on the day and at the time of inspection were evident and visible. The Australian Standard AS 4349.1 2007 & AS 4349.3 warns that the report must not be seen as an all-encompassing report but rather as a “reasonable attempt to identify significant defects”. Minor defects and imperfections will not be reported on in detail. Such defects and imperfections in most cases be observed by you.
  16. The inspection and report CANNOT report on any defects which may not be apparent due to prevailing weather conditions at the time of inspection. Such defects may only become apparent in different weather conditions.
  17. You agree that we cannot accept any liability for our failure to report a defect that was concealed by the owner of the building being inspected and you agree to indemnify us for any failure to find such concealed defects.
  18. 18 If the inspection is a Pre-purchase Inspection Report then we recommend that you have the following inspections and reports carried out:-
    • Timber Pest Inspection report in accordance with AS 4349.3 Timber pest inspections by a fully qualified, insured and licensed Timber Pest Inspector. (This Inspection and report is strongly recommended.)
    • An inspection, testing and report of all electrical installations and wiring by an insured and licensed electrician.
    • Any other inspection and report on such matters as plumbing, drainage, pool condition, lift hydraulics, mechanical services and geotechnical conditions by an appropriate qualified, insured and licensed person, if applicable to the property inspected.
  19. Where our report recommends another type of report or inspection or an invasive inspection and report, then you should have such an inspection carried out. If you fail to follow our recommendations then you agree and accept that you may suffer financial losses that you may incur resulting from your failure to act on our advice.
  20. In the event of a dispute or a claim arising out of, or relating to the inspection or report, or any alleged negligent act, error or omission on our part or on the part of the inspector conducting the inspection, either party may give written notice of the dispute or claim to the other party. If the dispute is not resolved within fourteen days (14) days from the service of the written notice, then either party may refer the dispute or claim to an independent mediator. The cost shall be met equally by both parties or as agreed as part of the mediation settlement. Should the dispute or claim not be resolved by mediation then one or other of the parties may refer the dispute or claim to the institute of arbitrators and mediators who will appoint an arbitrator who will resolve the dispute by arbitration. The arbitrator will also determine what costs each of the parties are to pay.

THIRD PARTY DISCLAIMER:
Compensation will only be payable for losses arising in contract or tort sustained by the client named on the front of this report. Any third party acting or relying on this Report, in whole or part, does so entirely at their own risk.
Note: In the ACT under the civil Law (Sale of Residential Property) ACT 2003 and Civil Law (Sale of Residential Property), Regulations 2004 the report resulting from this inspection may be passed to the purchase as part of the sale process providing it is carried out not more than three months prior to listing and is not more than twelve months old.