Frequently Asked Questions

HOW MUCH DOES A BUILDING INSPECTION COST?

In general, there are 3 factors that determine the cost of an inspection:

the type of inspection itself
the size of the property being inspected
the qualifications of the inspector

There’s always a small amount extra to pay for qualified inspectors – but, then, their qualifications, licensing and use of specialist inspection tools mean they produce a thorough and accurate report.

Which in turn means that you’re unlikely to find your buyer coming up with a report that contradicts your own one.

Our current pricing can be found here

WHAT AREAS DO WE SERVICE?

We are based in Canberra, ACT. We serve clients all over the ACT and NSW.

IS IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN THE ACT THAT I HAVE MY PROPERTY INSPECTED?

If you are selling a Class A dwelling – a unit or an apartment – you need only acquire an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) Statement.

Other classes of dwelling typically require these reports – and this is a legal requirement:

Compliance Report
Building Report
Energy Efficiency Report
Pest Report

To make the reports task easy for you we have packaged these together into our All Reports Pre-sale Package.

WHICH PARTS OF MY HOUSE DO YOU INSPECT?

Different reports emphasise different inspection areas but we’re thorough no matter what. So as a guide expect that we would be looking at:

Site – includes garage, out-buildings (sheds, separate laundry etc), surface drainage, non-structural retaining walls, paths, driveways, steps, trees, fences…
House exterior – includes brickwork, roofing, eaves, external piping, vents, sills, gutters, weatherboards, paintwork…
House interior – includes stairs, floors, windows, doors, walls, skirting, ceilings, fireplaces, tiling…
Underfloor – includes subfloor structure, footings, stumps, ventilation, signs of dampness…
Wet areas – seeking signs of leaks or dampness in the bathroom, around toilets, in the kitchen and laundry or utility rooms…
Utilities – electrical (safety switches, circuit breakers and so on) plus water service and water pressure
Roof spaces – including structure, frames, insulation, roof tiles, flues…

If we cannot physically access a part of the property, for example the roof space is too small to allow safe access, it will be excluded from the reports.

HOW LONG DOES THE INSPECTION PROCESS TAKE?

Total turnaround is from 5 – 8 days from the day you book. To carry out your inspection we need a Conveyancing Pack for your property – and that can take 3 or 4 working days to receive from the ACT Planning and Land Authority (ACTPLA).

The inspection itself take between an hour and two hours.

The good news is that once the inspection has taken place your report will be ready within 48 hours – although it’s often ready for you the next working day.

ONCE I HAVE MY REPORT WHEN MUST I LIST MY PROPERTY FOR SALE?

You must list your property within 3 months of the report being completed. If you don’t list within 3 months then you must obtain a fresh inspection report.

ARE INSPECTORS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE LICENSED?

In the ACT, building assessors need to be licensed under the Construction Occupations (Licensing) Act 2004 and meet all the eligibility requirements.

Rest assured that not only are all AllReports inspectors Licensed Class A Building Assessors, but that the inspector’s name and license number is displayed on the reports they will create for you.

WHAT IF WE FIX A DEFECT HIGHLIGHTED BY THE REPORT? CAN THE DEFECT BE REMOVED FROM THE REPORT?

Legally we must not alter our original report. If you rectify minor defects then, for a small fee, we can re-inspect those defects and add an addendum to the report showing the defects no longer exist. We will then send you the amended report – and we’ll also send a copy to your solicitor and real estate agent .

How much of the cost of the report will be reimbursed to me by the buyer upon sale?

WILL THE COST OF THE REPORT BE REIMBURSED TO ME BY THE BUYER?

If you have chosen to defer payment of the report, we will be paid on settlement of the sale by the buyer for the entire cost of the standard reports you ordered from us.

If you pay upfront, or have chosen to defer payment and your house does not settle within 180 days from the date of the report then you will be required to pay us, and this cost will be reimbursed to you by the buyer at settlement.

If you ordered our express report you will only be reimbursed the cost of the standard version; the additional fees will be paid for by you.

I HAVE AN OLDER REPORT – WILL IT HAVE EXPIRED?

By law all ACT building reports expire after 180 days.

However, if AllReports carried out your original property inspection we will reinspect at a reduced fee if:

the last report is not more than 12 months old;
no alterations have been carried out on the property since that last report; and
your property has been continuously marketed since the original report was produced.