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A building report is conducted by a qualified building inspector, surveyor, or builder and is usually included as a condition of the construction contract. There are several types of building reports, but their overall purpose is to outline the relevant building inspection in detail.
When Are Building Inspections Conducted?
Throughout the duration of a construction project, building inspections will regularly be completed. The first one occurs prior to any building work commencing to identify any hazards or potential issues the site may have. After this is approved, there are several other building inspections that will be required to check things like safety, code compliance and more.
Additionally, before any covering or concealing work happens, building inspections are again required. In the post-construction phase of the build, the last inspection occurs when the building is completed and ready for occupants. This allows for a final status permit, so utilities like gas and electric can be issued. After this, during the building’s lifetime there will be regularly conducted reports to ensure the property’s safety and durability.
Types of Building Inspections
Commercial Building Inspection
This type of inspection is intended for buildings that profit from their operations. Examples of commercial buildings include retail stores, office buildings, cafes, warehouses, restaurants, and family residential units. The aim for this building report is to identify any potential issues with the property, and these are usually carried out at the start and end of tenancy or throughout the buying or selling process.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection
These inspections are conducted prior to purchasing, in order to inform any potential buyers of any repairs and costs of these. It usually covers issues such as roofs and walls, but areas such as air-conditioning, gas fittings etc aren’t covered by this building report.
Structural Building Inspection
A structural engineer completes this inspection to check the structural integrity of the property, focusing on areas such as foundation, beams, columns, posts and more. This inspection is undertaken if the property owner is concerned with structural soundness or if a particular area of the building needs looking at in more detail.
Building Safety Inspection
Building safety inspections are carried out as an on-site walk-through to find any potential risks to the occupants. It then outlines any action needed to address these issues, as well as a review of the safety equipment on site.
What is Included in a Building Report?
A typical building report includes the address and photos taken of the property, as well as the name of the applicant. The name, and contact for the inspector will be included, alongside their respective qualifications and their builder’s registration number.
The body of the building report summarises any repairs or findings that have been identified and need to be rectified. It will also detail the buildings condition and its structural soundness. Depending on which type of inspection has been carried out, any code violations or maintenance issues could also be outlined.
As a landlord, a professional building report can help with peace of mind that your tenant is upkeeping good condition of your property and complying with terms of the lease.
At BPS, we have experience in conducting inspections and reports for buildings of all types. If you’re interested in finding out more about getting comprehensive building reports for your property, get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements.
