Inspection reports are written to be defensible, which does not always make them easy to read on a Friday afternoon with a deadline on Monday. This guide explains what each section is for.
Read the report in order. The order exists for a reason: scope and limitations first, because everything that follows depends on them.
Scope and limitations
What was inspected, what was not, and why. If the subfloor could not be accessed, this is where it is stated — and it materially changes what the rest of the report can tell you.
Significant defects
Findings that matter to the condition or safety of the building. These are the items worth discussing with your solicitor and, where relevant, your agent.
Safety items
Things that present a risk to occupants — damaged balustrades, failed steps, exposed wiring, deteriorating structures. These are usually worth actioning regardless of the purchase decision.
Maintenance items
Ordinary upkeep that any home requires. Not a defect, but useful for planning cost over the first years of ownership.
Recommendations
The next step for each finding: monitor, maintain, repair, or obtain a specialist report. Where a licensed trade or engineer is needed, the report should say so clearly.
What the report is not
It is not a warranty, a guarantee of condition, a renovation quote, a compliance certificate or legal advice. It is a documented visual opinion of condition on a particular day.
Key points
- Scope and limitations govern everything else in the report.
- Separate defects from maintenance before you negotiate.
- Safety items usually need action regardless.
- A report is condition information, not a guarantee.
This guide is general information for property buyers in NSW. It is not a building inspection, pest inspection, professional diagnosis or legal advice. A visual inspection cannot guarantee the absence of concealed defects.