Interpreting Home Inspection Findings

Home Inspection Findings – Caveats & Standards

You may notice that there is a lot of provisos and warnings (caveats) in the report.

Simply put, they just mean that it is the building inspector’s responsibility to provide you with information about the house you are purchasing but the building inspector is not accountable for what you do or don’t do with that information.

These stipulations also state that all inspections must be conducted in accordance with the current Australian Standards for pre-purchase inspections.

While there are standards directing what must be included in an inspection report, the actual content and length can vary greatly. Different inspectors use different templates, which range from simple two-page “checklists” too much longer and more detailed documents. With these reports, like anything, you get what you pay for, with the low-cost reports usually being lighter on the specifics.

Report Summary

One of the first things that you will likely come across in home inspection findings is a report summary. This section of the report should start with the overall condition of the property. This is a comparison of the house you are purchasing with other houses of a similar age and construction.

Also included in the summary is the list of minor defects, major defects and safety issues identified during the inspection.

A major defect is a defect of sufficient magnitude where rectification has to be carried out in order to avoid unsafe conditions or loss of usage.

A minor is any other defect.

A safety issue is any issue that may cause personal injury if left unrectified.

The summary will also have a short statement about any high moisture readings and thermal anomalies recorded during the inspection.

Timber Pests

Also included in the summary is information on timber pest, both termite and borer, activity and damage. There will also be information on pest treatments and any recommendations the inspector may offer.

It is important to understand that a summary of findings, is just that, a summary. You must read the entire report and not rely solely on the summary.

There is a lot of information in a building and pest report, that at times goes into great detail, making it hard to tell what is important. Please remember we are always happy to explain our reports and home inspection findings and answer your questions.

Our Reports

In the body of the report, you will find colour photographs of the identified defects as well as more detailed information about the defect, it’s location, severity and recommendations for dealing with the defect. If a defect is identified, we always advise the best trade to consult for further evaluation and repair costs etc.

Sections

To help make our reports easier to read, we have laid the reports out in sections. These follow a logical order as if you were walking through the property. We start on the outside of the building and work downwards from the roof, clockwise around the building and out to the property boundaries.

Once inside we begin with the roof void and then inspect the rooms starting at the front entry walking clockwise around the interior until we return to the front door.

Each room will have a general photo along with photos of any identified defects.

Common Questions

You will no doubt have questions about your report. Below are the top 5 general questions about home inspection findings that we are asked on a daily basis.

1. Who decides if the house has passed or failed the inspection?

No reputable building inspector should pass or fail the home. A building inspector’s role is to identify issues and make recommendations for rectification.

2. Can I use the report to get out of the purchase?

Because our reports are completed in accordance with current Australian Standards, you can use the findings of the inspection to exit the contract if you wish to do so. We always recommend you do this in consultation with your solicitor.

3. Will the report or the inspector tell me whether I should buy the house or not?

Our inspectors cannot advise you on whether the house is a suitable purchase for you or not. Everyone’s situation is different and what may be a great investment for one person may not be the next. Our reports are designed to give you enough information about the property for you to feel confident you’re making an informed decision.

4. How much are the repairs going to cost?

In the report, you’ll find recommendations for addressing each defect, accompanied by advice as to the specific trade needed to carry out the rectification / repair work. Due to ongoing changes within the building industry, our inspectors are unable to provide cost estimates on repairs.

5. Can I share the report?

As the owner of the report, you are welcome to share the report with anyone you’d like, such as your conveyancer or mortgage broker. We recommend that don’t share the report with the selling real estate agent as they may be tempted to share it with other buyers should you decide not to go ahead with the property. We will never share the report with a third party.