Terms & Conditions

PRE-INSPECTION AGREEMENT

Building and Timber Pest Inspection

This is a pre-inspection agreement between you (the Client) and the Building Consultant named below for an inspection and report (Services) at your Property. This agreement is designed to ensure you understand the scope, extent of reporting and limitations of the Service.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT BY ITS NATURE THIS SERVICE HAS LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS OF WHICH YOU SHOULD BE AWARE. PLEASE REVIEW THIS AGREEMENT AND CONTACT YOUR CONSULTANT WITH ANY QUERIES.

You need to sign and return this agreement to your consultant, before your inspection takes place.

The Service

The Service you are purchasing is: Building Inspection and Timber Pest Inspection

The purpose of the Service is to provide advice regarding the condition of the Property at the time of the inspection having regard to the significant items noted below.

Your Building Consultant is:
James Donovan
Senior Building Inspector
Hills District Building Inspections
M. 0447 977 757
E. info@hdbuildinginspections.com.au

We’ll report on the following significant items:

  • Safety Hazards, which are building elements or situations that represents a current or immediate potential threat of injury or disease to persons.
  • Major Defects, which are defects of sufficient magnitude where rectification has to be carried out in order to avoid unsafe conditions, loss of utility or further deterioration of the property.
  • Minor Defects which are any other defect, usually described as expected or require routine property maintenance.
  • Timber Pest Damage; the presence or absence of live termite and timber pest activity, suspected evidence of any old or inactive damage; and
  • Conducive Conditions; a general opinion regarding the presence of conditions at the Property conducive to termite or timber pest activity.

All inspections are conducted in accordance with Australian Standard 4349 (and AS 4349.1 where it is a pre-purchase inspection) and 4349.3-2010, and you acknowledge that the extent of our reporting is based on conditions of the Property at the time of the inspection and subject to the scope, accessibility and other limitations set out below.

Scope

Unless specified otherwise as part of the Service we use visual inspection methods, the application of sounding and moisture identification devices and assessment of serviceability to form an opinion regarding the Property at the time of inspection and deliver you a Report based on the significant items noted above. We will generally report by exception and not report on deterioration caused by fair wear and tear.

The Property will be compared to others of a similar age, construction type and method that had an acceptable level of basic maintenance completed. It follows that the Property may not comply with current Australian Standards, Building Regulations or other legislative requirements.

An estimate of costs to treat termite activity or install and or apply a termite barrier or management system will not be included in the Report. If you would like this information, we can refer you to suitably qualified pest controllers to provide this information.

We don’t advise you about title, ownership or other legal matters like easements, restrictions, covenants and planning laws. None of our inspections constitute an approval by a Building Surveyor, a certificate of occupancy or compliance with any law, regulation or standard.

Our Report may recommend a further inspection by another specialist such as an engineer, surveyor or other trade if we identify specific problems not included in the Service. We may also recommend specific rectification or maintenance works be performed. We recommend you act on this advice.

Non Invasive Inspections

If you wish to have an invasive inspection service, we would provide you with a separate service agreement. Please be aware that works involved in an invasive inspection include taking samplesand may cause degradation or damage to materials and Property elements, that the Service does not include any rectification or reinstatement works and the Client agrees to indemnify us against any costs incurred as a result of the inspection.

In addition, the Client must gain all necessary permissions for the invasive inspection to take place and ensure any rectification or reinstatement works are carried out by a professional tradesperson.

Areas for Inspection

Subject to below, we will inspect:

  • Interior
  • Roof void or ceiling cavity
  • Exterior
  • Subfloor (if applicable)
  • Adjoining structures or other outbuildings within 30m of the main building eg: garages, sheds, retaining walls, fences etc.
  • The site to the fence line / property boundary or up to 30m from the house including major trees

We only inspect and report on accessible areas. You will need to ensure we have access to all areas at the Property being inspected. If you are not the owner, you should discuss this with the Real Estate Agent or owner.

We consider the following areas inaccessible and these areas are excluded from the inspection:

  • Elevated areas like roofs that are not safely accessible from a 3.6m ladder, using an unobstructed line of sight where building elements are close enough to allow inspection.
  • Access points (like manholes) smaller than 400mm x 500mm
  • Crawl space with a clearance of less than 600mm x 600mm
  • Where reasonable entry is denied to us, or where we cannot access.We will identify in our report any additional areas that are inaccessible, and you may choose to have a further invasive Inspection Service undertaken.

We may need to turn off the mains power for a short time to safely inspect the roof space (and must do so if you are in Western Australia). We will require you to separately consent to this, and where permission is not granted we will be unable to access the roof void and this will form a limitation for us.

If you have any concerns over this, please discuss this with your consultant.

Limitations

In addition to inaccessible areas, inspections are commonly and frequently limited by a number of factors; you should expect this to happen during your inspection.

You must inform us of any known or potential limitations that may impede our ability to perform the Inspection or produce the Report.

Examples of common limitations are listed below:

  • Conditions we reasonably consider unsafe to inspect
  • Locked doors or inaccessible rooms
  • Security systems
  • Pets
  • Furniture, floor coverings, wall and ceiling linings and stored items
  • Restriction of access due to height – we only inspect first storey roof structures unless prior arrangement is made
  • Restriction of access due to lack of clearance, small crawl spaces, lack of entry access points or thick vegetation
  • Adverse weather conditions

If the Property has been vacant for a period of time, moisture levels or leaks may not be detectable at the time of the inspection because often only frequent use of water pipes (showers, taps etc) result in a leak being identifiable. We advise further testing on pipes and water susceptible areas (such as the bathroom and laundry) after more frequent use has occurred.

You acknowledge that the limitations described above, are not intended to be an exhaustive list and we will endeavor to identify any limitations or restrictions specific to the Property as soon as possible. You may then choose to have a further invasive inspection service conducted.

Exclusions

Unless explicitly selected as an option with your Service, the Inspection and Report exclude assessment or reporting of:

  • Deterioration caused by fair wear and tear,
  • Footings below ground,
  • Concealed damp proof course
  • Electrical installations,
  • Concealed plumbing,
  • Adequacy of roof drainage,
  • Gas fittings and fixtures,
  • Air-conditioning,
  • Automatic garage doors
  • Pools and related equipment
  • Alarm systems
  • Operation of fireplaces and chimneys, flues and solid fuel heaters
  • Alarm and intercom systems
  • Soft floor coverings
  • Appliances
  • Paint coatings
  • Health hazards
  • Timber and metal framing size and adequacy
  • Concealed tie downs and bracing
  • Other mechanical or electrical equipment
  • Soil conditions
  • Control joints
  • Sustainable development provisions
  • Concealed timber frames
  • Landscaping
  • Rubbish
  • Floor coverings, furniture and accessories
  • Stored items
  • Insulation (Bulk and Loose)
  • Environmental matters (water tanks etc) or lighting and energy efficiency

We won’t inspect common property unless specifically requested.

An estimate of costs to fix defects is not included unless this Service is a Remediation or Renovation Report. Any estimate prepared as part of a Remediation and Renovation Report is based on industry standard cost guides and the consultant’s own experience and should not be relied on for anything other than a professional opinion. You acknowledge that costs to repair defects are very difficult to estimate because the extent of work required is unknown until an invasive investigation is undertaken and there is often reduced competition as many contractors are unwilling to take on rectification work.

Vacant Property and Undetected Defect Risk

If this Report has identified a medium or high-risk rating for undetected defects, we strongly recommend a further inspection of areas that were inaccessible. This may include an invasive inspection that requires the removal or cutting of walls, floors or ceilings.

As mentioned earlier If the Property has been vacant for a period of time, moisture levels or leaks may not be detected at the time of the inspection because often only frequent use of water pipes (showers, taps etc) result in a leak being identifiable. We advise further testing on pipes and water susceptible areas (such as the bathroom and laundry) after more frequent use has occurred.

Important Safety Information and Compliance

This is NOT a report by a licensed plumber or electrician. We recommend a special-purpose report to detect substandard or illegal plumbing and electrical work at the Property.

This is NOT a smoke alarm report. We recommend all existing detectors in the Property be tested and advice sought as to the suitability of number, placement and operation.

This is NOT an asbestos report. There are potential products in the Property containing asbestos that will not be identified in this report. In order to accurately identify asbestos, we recommend performing an asbestos inspection, particularly for buildings built prior to 1988.

This is NOT a compliance inspection.This is NOT a report on safety glass. Glazing in older homes may not reflect current standards and may cause significant injury if damaged. Exercise caution around the glass in older homes.

This is NOT a report on window opening restrictions. We have not inspected window opening restrictors. Window openings in older buildings may not reflect current standards and can be a potential risk. Window opening restrictors are advised for all second storey or above windows with sill heights below 700mm. Some states make this a mandatory requirement. Owners should enquire of their local and state requirements to ensure compliance.

This is NOT a report on pool safety. If a swimming pool is present it should be the subject to a special purpose pool inspection.

Moisture

The identification of moisture, dampness or the evidence of water penetration is dependent on the weather conditions at the time of the inspection. The absence of dampness identified in this Report does not necessarily mean the Property will not experience some damp problems in other weather conditions or that roofs, walls or wet areas are watertight.

Where the evidence of water penetration is identified we recommend detailed investigation of waterproofing in the surrounding area monitoring of the affected area over a period of time to fully detect and assess the cause of dampness.

Maintenance of the Property

This Report is not a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the Property in the future. Accordingly, a preventative maintenance program should be implemented which includes systematic inspections, detection and prevention of issues. Please contact the inspector who carried out this inspection for further advice.

It is strongly advised that appropriate steps be taken to remove, rectify or monitor any evidence of conditions conductive to timber pest activity. Undertaking thorough regular inspections at intervals not exceeding twelve months (or more frequent inspections where the risk of timber pest attack is high or the building type is susceptible to attack).

To further reduce the risk of subterranean termite attack, implement a management program in accordance with Australian Standard AS3660. This may include the installation of a monitoring and/or baiting system, or chemical and/or physical barrier. However, AS3660 stresses that subterraneantermites can bridge or breach barrier systems and inspection zones and thorough regular inspections of the building are necessary.

Not a Certificate of Authority

a) The Property has been compared to others of a similar age, construction type and method that had an acceptable level of basic maintenance completed.

b) We don’t advise you about title, ownership or other legal matters like easements, restrictions, covenants and planning laws. None of our inspections constitutes approval by a Building Surveyor, a certificate of occupancy or compliance with any law, regulation or standard, including any comment on whether the Property complies with current Australian Standards, Building Regulations or other legislative requirements.

Rectification Costs

We don’t provide advice on the costs of rectification or repair unless specifically identified in the scope of the Report. Any cost advice provided verbally or in this report must be taken as of a general nature and is not to be relied on. Actual costs depend on the quality of materials, the standard of work, what price a contractor is prepared to do the work for and may be contingent on approvals, delays and unknown factors associated with third parties. No liability is accepted for costing advice.

Liability and Acknowledgement

The client acknowledges that:

  • Removal of access, vent or other covers during the course of the Services will be done in a tradesman like manner, however we do not accept liability for damage or reinstatement, replacement or repair which may arise during this process;
  • The Report does not constitute a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the building in the future. Accordingly, a preventative maintenance program should be implemented for the property which includes systematic inspections, detection and prevention of incipient failure;
  • We do not accept liability for any implied contractual terms that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law, including the ACL and any loss that is reasonably foreseeable from our material breach of these Terms, however provided you obtain the benefit of any warranty or other obligation conferredupon you pursuant to the ACL, we limit our liability to the replacement of the Services the provision of equivalent Services or the cost of providing those Services.

Other than as specifically accepted by us above, we are not liable for any other losses or damages you may suffer, including any loss caused by you or to the extent it results from your failure to take reasonable steps to avoid or minimise that loss, loss caused by event falling outside our reasonable control and any indirect or consequential losses.

You indemnify, and keep indemnified, us and our employees and agents from and against any loss (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liability incurred or suffered by us arising from any claim arising out of your failure to advise on safety issues at the Property, your negligence or breach of these terms and conditions.

Privacy Policy

We value your personal information, we will ensure it is secure and never share or sell your personal details and contact information with people not associated with Hills District Building Inspections, unless instructed to do so by you.

Cancellation Policy

We understand that sometimes things happen, and you need to cancel or defer your booking. However, as we begin to incur costs and spend time on your booking before the actual inspection, administration fees apply to cancellations and deferred bookings.

  • If you need to cancel or defer your booking and let us know at least 48hrs prior to your scheduled booking a 10% administration fee will be charged.
  • If you cancel on the day of the inspection, a 50% administration fee will be charged.
  • If you cancel the inspection, once the inspection has commenced, you are liable to pay the full fee.

Compliments and Complaints

Your feedback, both positive and negative, can assist us to improve our services. We encourage you to please contact us with any compliments or concerns directly and as soon as you are able.

The process for managing customer feedback is documented below: Contact your consultant directly to provide feedback or make any complaint as soon as you are able.

General

You acknowledge and agree we own the copyright in the Report and may make the Report available to third parties.

This agreement and the Services will be governed by the laws in force in the state or territory in which the Property is located.

Certificate of Currency

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