STRATA AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SPECIALISTS

Each building is unique, both in the location and building type, and for this reason it is important to get expert advice that is specific to you and your problem. Building Advisory Service are qualified Building Consultants as well as Builders, so we are able to help you with all the following reports:

Reports can be delivered verbally or in writing, whichever is most specific to your needs.

Quotations for all your building and maintenance work (Including Insurance Claims):

We can provide a schedule where necessary of required works. This report may be geared toward a specific purpose eg. Foundation repair, Addition of a Deck. This schedule will usually include:

  • a description of the problem,
  • the preferred outcome,
  • the Scope Of Works to achieve this.
  • A costing of the project,
  • with a list of exclusions and inclusions in the price to make it clear what is covered.

Photos may be required to illustrate the problems.

Special Purpose Reports:

A special purpose property report may include the inspection and assessment of the following as it affects you eg. moisture and damp problem diagnosis, safety issues, asbestos presence, security concerns, drainage analysis, detection of problems in plumbing or electrical work, problems with a report you have already received, and the list goes on. The report may include compliance information, recommendations, quotations, Manufacturer's installation specifications etc. This report is solely geared towards a specific purpose, but is usually presented in a similar fashion to the Standard Pre-Purchase Inspection Report.

Expert Witness Reports:

We provide Expert Witness and litigation support covering a wide range of building disputes and problems including faulty pre-purchase building reports. The reports are in the standard required by the Court as well as CTTT (Fair Trading). Building defects, unacceptable workmanship, dampness, termite damage, excessive cracking within a building are areas Building Advisory Service specialize in. We may in some extreme cases refer you to a more specialist consultant when necessary. All defects are compared to the required Australian Standard and Building Code and references given. Photographic evidence and detailed descriptions are required in these reports and assist in strengthening your case.

Property Condition Inspections (Dilapidation Reports/Defect Warranty Inspections):

A dilapidation report is a conditional inspection report, usually with photographs, of a building or property that is undertaken prior to works commencing on an adjacent property. The proposed works can include a new unit building, alterations to a retaining wall, road works, underground tunnelling or possible earth works or demolition. A report is usually undertaken at the start of a project, and then again at the completion of a project, to document possible changes so that corrective action may be taken.

A Defect Warranty Inspection should be carried out before the Statutory Builder's Warranty of 7 years has expired to ensure that all known building problems are uncovered. This report should be submitted to the uilder or Strata Manager to ensure that the relevant defects are followed up on.

 

Pre Purchase Inspection Reports:

Building Advisory Service will spend at least 2 hours on-site looking through the whole property to find all the information that will help make your decision easier. Inspections are undertaken visually, to all of the accessible areas using our professional knowledge to locate potential problems. The report can be delivered either verbally or via a written report. We can specifically tailor this report to your individual requirements, addressing issues raised by you on-site or otherwise. Our reports will usually provide a basic cost guide to give you an indication of what repairs might be necessary on the property. All information given is unbiased, and in the best interest of our clients.

 

Construction Supervision Inspection Reports:

We will help you to determine relevant milestones in your building/renovations project, and further assist by carrying out inspections at each milestone to provide you with peace of mind that all has been carried out as per your agreement with a builder or tradesperson. Once the project is complete, we can carry out an inspection of the whole building in it’s entireity, and provide you with an itemised defects list. A building which is not built to specification can cause problems when you go to sell the house. And besides that, It is much easier to give the builder a list of defects before you move in rather than organising access for a tradesman later. Also, the frustration of not being able to use a laundry sink or dishwasher for a week after moving in can take the joy out of your new house.

 

Specifications Contract Preparation:

A list consisting of written requirements for materials, equipment required, construction standards utilised, relevant Australian Standards to be adhered to, and workmanship quality. There is also an element in this report, which defines the client’s expectation in a Building. Ie. Bricking and mortar joints to be compliant to relevant standard, but also neatly and professionally completed by an appropriately qualified tradesperson.

 

Sinking Fund Reports:

From July 2009, all strata schemes are required by law to have a 10-year sinking fund plan in place (Section 75A of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996 ). This means that owners corporations must plan how they will repair and maintain common property and raise sufficient funds to cover the costs. The amount required for the 10-year plan will vary between schemes, for instance, newer schemes may require relatively less money than the plans for older schemes with more repair work due. Each sinking fund plan should reflect the individual needs of its scheme. The 10-year plan must be approved by owners at an annual general meeting (AGM) and must be reviewed and adjusted, if required, in the first five years. (extracted from the Office of Fair Trading Website)