Building Inspection Report Explained
Received a building inspection report and not sure what actually matters? Learn how to understand the defects, priorities, potential repair costs and important questions to consider before making a property decision.
What does a building inspection report actually tell you?
A building inspection report records the condition of accessible areas of a property at the time of inspection. Depending on the inspection type and scope, it may identify structural defects, maintenance issues, moisture concerns, timber pest findings, safety issues and other conditions requiring attention.
The difficult part for many buyers is not finding the defects in the report. It is understanding which findings matter most, what should be investigated further, what may require repair and what those repairs could mean financially.
Identify the important findings
Start with significant structural defects, active moisture issues, timber pest findings, safety concerns and items that may require substantial repair.
Separate major issues from maintenance
A long defect list does not automatically mean the property is in poor condition. Several minor maintenance items can look alarming when presented across many pages.
Consider repair priority
Some defects require prompt attention while others can be monitored or dealt with as part of normal property maintenance.
Understand potential costs
Indicative repair-cost ranges can help put findings into context and assist with budgeting, further quotations and purchase discussions.
Common findings in building inspection reports
Terminology varies between inspectors and jurisdictions, but reports commonly identify issues across the following areas.
- Structural movement and cracking – cracking, movement or distortion that may require further assessment.
- Moisture and waterproofing – elevated moisture readings, leaking wet areas, deteriorated sealants or waterproofing concerns.
- Roof defects – damaged roof coverings, deteriorated flashings, roof plumbing issues and defects within accessible roof spaces.
- Timber pest findings – termite activity, evidence of previous activity, conducive conditions or timber deterioration where included within the inspection scope.
- External drainage – poor surface drainage, water accumulation or conditions that may direct moisture towards the building.
- General maintenance – deteriorated finishes, minor cracking, damaged fittings and other items normally associated with property upkeep.
Does a long inspection report mean you should be worried?
Not necessarily. Report length alone is a poor measure of property condition. A detailed inspector may record numerous relatively minor defects, while a shorter report can contain one or two findings with much greater financial significance.
Usually higher priority
Significant structural concerns, active water penetration, extensive termite damage, serious waterproofing failure and defects likely to cause continuing deterioration generally deserve closer attention.
Usually lower priority
Minor cosmetic cracking, localised deterioration, ageing finishes and routine maintenance may still require repair but should not automatically be treated the same way as significant defects.
For more information, see our guide to major defects in a building inspection report .
How much could the defects cost to repair?
Repair costs depend on the location, extent of the defect, access, materials, labour rates and the underlying cause. An inspection report also may not contain enough information to determine the complete scope of work.
This is why repair-cost figures should generally be treated as indicative budgeting ranges rather than quotations. Where significant work is anticipated, quotations from suitable contractors should be obtained before relying on a final cost.
Read our detailed guide: Building Inspection Repair Costs .
Questions to ask after reading your inspection report
- Which defects have the greatest potential financial impact?
- Which findings require further investigation?
- Which repairs should be prioritised?
- Are there signs of continuing moisture or deterioration?
- Are the repair-cost implications reasonably clear?
- Are important areas inaccessible or excluded from the inspection?
- Would an independent second opinion help clarify the findings?
If you're uncertain about the findings, read our guide on getting a second opinion on a building inspection report .
Turn your inspection report into information you can actually use.
Upload your existing building or building and pest inspection report to BuyerReport. We help identify the important findings, explain the priorities and provide indicative repair-cost information. Professional inspector review options are also available.
Building inspection reports explained
What is the most important part of a building inspection report?
Focus on findings that could affect the property's condition, safety, ongoing deterioration or repair costs rather than simply counting the total number of defects.
What does a major defect mean in a building inspection report?
The meaning depends on the inspection standard and jurisdiction. Generally, the term relates to a defect of sufficient significance that it warrants particular attention rather than routine maintenance.
Can someone review a building inspection report for me?
Yes. BuyerReport allows you to upload an existing inspection report for analysis, with professional inspector review options available where additional review is required.
Can repair costs be estimated from an inspection report?
Indicative ranges can often be provided where the report contains sufficient information. They should not be treated as contractor quotations because the complete repair scope may not be visible from the inspection report alone.
BuyerReport reviews information contained within existing inspection reports. It does not replace a physical property inspection, specialist assessment or contractor quotation where these are required.