What We Look For In A Home Inspection?

Looking to understand what is involved in a Building And Pest Inspection Gold Coast? The following provides an overview of our building inspection checklist, it’s not an exhaustive list, as many items will be unique to a property.

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Before we jump into the detail of what we look for when doing an inspection, let’s first align on what a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection is. 

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Under the Australian Standard (AS 4349.1 - 2007) The purpose of an inspection is an attempt to understand the condition of the structure of the property through a visual inspection, outline major defects and provide an opinion as to the general condition of the property for its age, in order to inform a prospective buyer or other interested party prior to making a purchase decision. The inspection includes accessible parts of the building, together with relevant features of the property within 30m of the building and within the boundaries of the site, or as otherwise agreed in the inspection agreement. 

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In this context, relevant features include car accommodation, detached laundry, ablution facilities and garden sheds, retaining walls more than 700 mm high, paths and driveways, steps, fencing, earth embankments, surface water drainage and storm water run-off. 

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Note: Inspection of Strata and Company Title residential property shall be limited to the nominated residence and does not include common property. 

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Our Gold Coast Building & Pest Inspections Checklist can be used for:

• Freestanding houses. 
• Semi-detached houses. 
• Terrace-style houses. 
• Villas. 
• Town-houses and row housing. 
• Multi-unit residential buildings. 

Inspectable Areas : 

• The interior of the building. 
• The roof space. 
• The exterior of the building. 
• The sub-floor space. 
• The roof exterior. 
• The property within 30 m of the building is subject to inspection. 

Types of Defects and Description

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Building Inspection Standard Checklist

Building Interior

Inspection items/parts

Inspection areas (fields)

Example and/or inspection consideration

Ceilings 

Sagging 

Nails popping 

Defective lining 

Lath and plaster key damage Fibrous plaster scrimming/grouting/strapping Cracking 

Dampness and damp damage

Walls 

Bulging 

Nails popping 

Defective lining 

Cracking 

Dampness and damp damage Distortion, verticality 

Drummy plaster and render

Timber floors

Damage 

Decay 

Out of level 

Dampness and damp damage 

Floor movement such as spring and bounce

Concrete floors

Cracking 

Surface damage 

Out of level 

Dampness and damp damage

Timber windows

Putty 

Broken or cracked glass 

Sash operation 

Sash fittings and hardware 

Water staining 

Decaying frames and sashes

Metal-framed windows

Glazing seals 

Broken or cracked glass 

Sash operation 

Sash fittings and hardware 

Water staining and corrosion

Doors and frames

Binding doors 

Defective door hardware 

Corroded or decaying frames Damaged doors 

Loose or badly fitting doors

Kitchen

Bench top

Lifting or delamination Damage 

Water damage

Cupboards 

Water damage 

Operation of doors and drawers

Sink/taps

Chips, cracks, leaking, etc. Water supply to be turned on, and taps operated

Tiles

Drummy 

Cracked 

Loose, missing 

Grouting and sealant

Bathroom, WC, ensuite

Cistern and pan

Cracking 

Leaking 

Installation and stability Water supply to be turned on and the cistern flushed Bidet

Bidet

Cracking 

Leaking 

Installation and stability Water supply to be turned on and the cistern flushed Bidet

Taps

Leaking

Water supply to be turned on and operated

Tiles 

Drummy

Cracked 

Loose 

Grouting and sealant 

Bath

Damage 

Adequately sealed and properly recessed at the junction with wall

Shower 

Visual signs of leakage Screen 

Broken glass 

Water supply to be turned on and the shower operated

Vanity 

Damage 

Doors and drawers

Washbasin

Damage 

Loose 

Waste/trap 

Water supply to be turned on and taps operated 

Ventilation 

Mirrors

Cracking Edging 

Laundry

Taps

Operation 

Leaking 

Water hammer (water supply to be turned on and taps operated) 

Tubs/cabinet

Condition

Tiles

Drummy 

Cracked 

Loose 

Grouting and sealant 

Ventilation

Stairs

Stringer 

Handrails/balusters 

Newel posts 

Treads and risers

All

Damp problems

Rising 

Falling 

Condensation 

Horizontally or laterally penetrating damp 

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