The Inspector’s Notebook
Dilapidation Survey: Was That Crack There Before Building Started?
Building work starting next door? A dilapidation survey records your property’s condition before it begins, so there’s no argument later about what was already there.
How to Read Your Building Inspection Report (Before Contracts Become Binding)
Building inspection reports use four defect categories. Once you know what Serious Safety Hazard, Major Defect, Minor Defect and For Your Information actually mean, a fifty-page report becomes easy to act on.
What Do Building Inspectors Look For? The Clues That Matter
A crack, a ceiling stain, swollen skirting. Here’s how building inspectors read the clues you spot at an open home, and what to ask about each one.
Cracks in the Wall: When It's Cosmetic and When It's Structural
Most wall cracks are nothing to worry about. Some are exactly why you get a building inspection. Here's how to tell the difference before you sign.