What to Do After a Building Inspection
Learn how to review major structural defects and minor defects, obtain further assessment where recommended and separate property-condition information from contractual or legal decisions.
Do Not Treat Every Defect as Equally Serious
Start with major structural defects and any recommended specialist assessment. Minor defects should then be reviewed according to urgency, deterioration, repair cost and normal maintenance requirements.
Read the Report Before Making Assumptions
A long report does not automatically mean the property is unsuitable. Professional reports often document minor defects, age-related deterioration, maintenance and inspection limitations in considerable detail.
Read Beyond the Summary
The summary highlights priority matters, but the detailed sections explain locations, visible conditions and recommendations.
Separate Major Structural Defects
These findings should be considered first because they may affect structural performance, stability or serviceability.
Group the Minor Defects
Separate short-term repairs, planned maintenance, cosmetic imperfections and items requiring monitoring.
Review the Limitations
Consider whether restricted roof, roof-space, subfloor or furnished-area access justifies a further inspection.
What to Do with Major Structural Defects and Minor Defects
These two categories help separate significant structural concerns from lower-level defects and maintenance items.
Major Structural Defects
A major structural defect may affect an important structural element and may require specialist assessment, substantial repair or further investigation.
Minor Defects
Minor defects are findings not classified as major structural defects. They may still require repair, maintenance, monitoring or further assessment.
Turn the Report into Four Clear Worklists
A structured list makes the findings easier to review and prevents lower-level issues from hiding the important concerns.
Major Structural Defects
List all major structural findings and the specialist, repair or quotation recommendations attached to them.
Further Assessment
Record every referral to an engineer, licensed trade, pest professional or other appropriate specialist.
Short-Term Minor Repairs
Prioritise minor defects that may worsen, allow moisture entry or cause further deterioration if delayed.
Planned Maintenance
Schedule lower-priority upkeep, cosmetic repairs and normal age-related maintenance according to budget.
Structural Engineer
May be recommended for significant movement, structural cracking, foundation concerns or important framing defects.
Licensed Trade
Electrical, plumbing, gas, drainage and similar systems may require assessment by the relevant licensed contractor.
Roofing or Waterproofing Specialist
May be needed where leakage, failed flashings, waterproofing defects or concealed moisture are suspected.
Timber Pest Professional
A separate timber pest assessment may be required for termite activity, timber damage or conducive conditions.
When Should You Obtain Repair Estimates?
Quotations can help understand the likely scope and cost, but they are most useful after the cause and repair method have been properly identified.
Major Structural Repairs
Obtain specialist advice before relying on a repair cost, because the correct scope may depend on engineering assessment or further investigation.
Grouped Minor Repairs
Combining similar work such as roof maintenance, painting, sealing or external repairs may produce a more realistic overall estimate.
Written Scope of Work
A useful quotation should describe the proposed repair, assumptions, exclusions and whether concealed damage could change the final cost.
The Report Provides Property Information, Not Contract Advice
The inspector reports visible and accessible property conditions. Your rights, deadlines and available options are determined separately by the relevant contract and law.
Property-Condition Information
The report explains what was observed, how it was classified and what further action may be appropriate.
Contractual and Legal Decisions
Contractual rights and decisions depend on the agreement, applicable deadlines and the advice of an appropriate property professional or legal adviser.
What to Do When Defects Are Found During a New Build
Construction reports should be provided to the builder so the findings can be reviewed before the next stage, handover or relevant contractual milestone where possible.
Provide the Report in Writing
Send the relevant findings to the builder and keep a written record of correspondence, responses and agreed actions.
Request Builder Review
The builder remains responsible for construction, coordinating trades and determining the rectification method under the building contract.
Obtain Clarification Where Needed
Visible and accessible work may be checked, where applicable, against approved building plans, relevant National Construction Code requirements and applicable Australian Standards within the agreed scope.
Consider the Timing
Stage findings are most useful when reviewed before later construction conceals the work or before handover occurs.
Understand the Inspection Limits
The assessment is not a full certification, design audit or replacement for statutory approvals or specialist certification.
Keep a Rectification Record
Record which items were acknowledged, completed, outstanding or subject to further builder or specialist review.
What to Avoid After Receiving the Report
A calm and structured review usually produces better decisions than reacting to the number of findings alone.
Assuming Every Minor Defect Is Serious
Minor defects can include routine maintenance, age-related wear, cosmetic issues and lower-level repair items.
Ignoring a Major Structural Defect
Significant structural findings should be reviewed before lower-priority maintenance and cosmetic items.
Obtaining a Price Before Confirming the Cause
Repair quotations may be unreliable until the cause, extent and appropriate repair method are understood.
Ignoring Inspection Limitations
Concealed or inaccessible areas may require further inspection before their condition can be understood.
Missing Important Deadlines
Property, construction and handover contracts may contain strict notification and decision timeframes.
Expecting the Inspector to Make the Decision
The inspector provides property information. The final decision depends on your circumstances and separate advice.
Where a contract, construction stage or handover deadline applies, obtain separate contractual advice promptly. At the same time, arrange any recommended specialist assessment needed to understand the cause, extent, repair scope and likely significance of the reported defect.
What to Do After a Building Inspection
General guidance for property buyers, homeowners and people reviewing a construction or practical completion report.
Should I be worried if the report contains many defects?
What should I do about a major structural defect?
Do all minor defects need immediate repair?
Should I obtain repair quotations?
What does further assessment recommended mean?
Can the inspector tell me whether to buy the property?
What should I do with a construction-stage or handover report?
Use the Report to Make an Informed Next-Step Plan
Review major structural defects first, obtain recommended specialist advice and then plan the repair, maintenance or monitoring of minor defects according to priority.