Insurance Reports
Insurance decisions turn on building evidence, and the evidence is usually produced by somebody with an interest in the answer. These reports are written by a licensed builder engaged by whoever commissions them, and they say what the building actually shows. No report can promise an outcome — what it can do is make sure the decision is made on accurate information.
Insurance Building Condition & Rectification Report
The independent building report an insurer asks for before offering or continuing cover.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners whose insurer has asked for an independent building condition report, a rectification scope, evidence that repairs have been completed, or supporting cost information before offering or continuing cover.
When to order it
As soon as the insurer sets the requirement, and well before a renewal date. Insurers work to deadlines and a lapse in cover is worse than the underlying problem.
What the report covers
- The building’s condition, addressed against the specific matters the insurer has raised
- Roof, structure, wet areas, electrical and plumbing evidence visible to a building inspection
- Defects and deterioration described with cause, extent and significance
- A rectification scope of works where the insurer requires one
- Cost information for the described works where that is requested
- Evidence of repairs already completed, where that is what the insurer needs to see
- Photographic evidence throughout, and thermal or moisture evidence where water is involved
Insurance Reconsideration Report
Your insurance application was declined. This is independent building evidence addressing the reasons they gave.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners whose property insurance application has been declined, and who need independent building evidence responding to the insurer’s stated reasons.
When to order it
As soon as you have the decline in writing with the reasons set out. The reasons are what the report has to answer, so get them in writing first.
What the report covers
- Each concern the insurer has stated, addressed individually on the evidence
- The building’s actual condition in the areas the insurer has raised
- Where a stated concern is not supported by the building’s condition, a clear finding to that effect with evidence
- Where a stated concern is valid, what it would take to resolve it — described and, where requested, costed
- Evidence of any rectification already completed
- Photographic evidence throughout, with thermal and moisture evidence where relevant
Insurance Damage Assessment & Rectification Report
Damage from storm, wind, hail, rain, water or impact — assessed, documented and costed independently.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners and owners corporations dealing with a property damage claim who need independent building evidence of what was damaged and what it takes to repair.
When to order it
As soon as it is safe, and before repairs begin. Once repairs start the evidence disappears.
What the report covers
- The extent of the damage, documented and photographed
- What is damage from the event and what is pre-existing condition or wear
- Consequential damage, including water that has travelled beyond the visible area
- Moisture measurement and thermal imaging where water is involved
- A rectification scope of works describing the repair properly
- Independent cost information for the described works where requested
This report is independent building evidence. It does not promise claim acceptance, a settlement figure or any particular outcome.
Fire & Smoke Damage Assessment Report
Fire damage extends well past what burned. Heat, soot and smoke reach materials that look untouched.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners, owners corporations and insurers dealing with a fire-affected property.
When to order it
Once the site has been released and is safe to enter, and before demolition, stripping or repair work begins.
What the report covers
- Extent of direct fire damage to structure, linings and finishes
- Heat-affected elements beyond the burn area, including structural members and fixings
- Smoke and soot penetration through the building, including cavities, roof void and services
- Water damage from firefighting operations, mapped with moisture measurement
- What is repairable and what requires replacement, element by element
- A rectification scope of works, and cost information where requested
Structural adequacy of heat-affected structural elements requires assessment and certification by a structural engineer, and the report says so where that applies. Hazardous material identification, including asbestos disturbed by fire, is arranged in coordination with an appropriately licensed or accredited specialist.
Independent Insurance Scope of Works & Cost Review
A second opinion on the repair scope or cost prepared by an insurer, an assessor or their builder.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners and owners corporations who have been given a scope of works or cost assessment and suspect it does not cover the damage.
When to order it
Before you accept a scope, a cash settlement or a repair proposal.
What the report covers
- Independent inspection of the damage in its own right
- Review of the supplied scope against what the building actually requires
- Damage and work items the supplied scope does not appear to address
- Whether the described repair method will resolve the cause or only the appearance
- Independent cost commentary on the described works
- A clear written statement of where the two positions differ and why
Independent building evidence. It is not insurance advice, claims advocacy or a guarantee of any revised settlement.
Post-Insurance Repair Completion Inspection
Independent confirmation that insurance repair work was completed properly before you sign it off.
Quoted on scope
Who it is for
Owners and owners corporations whose insurance repairs have been reported complete.
When to order it
Before you sign a completion or satisfaction form, and before the claim is closed.
What the report covers
- Each item in the approved scope, assessed as complete, part-complete or not addressed
- Workmanship quality of the completed repairs
- Whether the repair addresses the cause or has covered it
- Moisture and thermal verification where the damage involved water
- Damage or new defects introduced during the repair work
- A written status report with photographs against the scope
Price guide
What does a building report cost?
A pre-purchase inspection, a leak investigation, a costed rectification scope and a strata report are not the same piece of work, so they are not the same price. These are guide starting prices for a standard job of each type, GST included.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspection – Building Only
Building condition without the timber pest component, for properties where pest risk is genuinely low or already covered.
From $399
Pre-Purchase Building & Pest Inspection
The standard combined report for a house purchase: building condition and timber pest activity, inspected on the same visit.
From $499
Apartment & Unit Pre-Purchase Inspection – Internal Lot
The inside of the lot you are actually buying, inspected properly, with the common property questions flagged for the strata search.
From $379
Handover & Practical Completion Inspection
The inspection that produces your defects list — carried out before you accept the building and release the final payment.
From $445
General Building Defect Inspection
A whole-of-property defect inspection when you know something is wrong but not what, or how much of it there is.
From $445
Water Ingress, Moisture & Leak Investigation
Finding where the water is actually getting in, using thermal imaging and moisture measurement rather than guesswork.
From $445
Roof Condition Inspection – Visual & Drone
The condition and remaining service life of a roof, inspected from above, below and — where access is unsafe — by drone.
From $349
Pre-Construction Dilapidation Report
A dated photographic record of a property’s condition before the excavation, demolition or construction next door begins.
From $445
Defect Rectification Scope of Works & Cost Estimate
A builder’s scope and cost estimate for putting the defects right, in a form trades can quote against.
From $645
Strata, commercial, insurance and specialist compliance reports
Scope varies too much between jobs for a starting price to mean anything. These are quoted after the scope is reviewed.
Quoted on scope
What the confirmed price depends on
- Property type and size
- Location and travel
- Access to the areas that need inspecting
- The scope of the report
- Complexity, and how many concerns are involved
- Urgency
- Any specialist equipment or testing required
Every price on this website is a guide, is GST-inclusive, and is a starting point for a standard job of that type. The confirmed figure is subject to travel distance and job complexity. You receive a confirmed price and a written scope before anything is booked.
Request a report
Tell us the property and the problem
You will get a confirmed price and a written scope before anything is booked. No deposit is taken to answer a question.
Would rather just talk it through?
1300 140 579Describe the property and the concern. You will get a straight answer about which report fits, including when the answer is that you do not need one.
- NSW Licensed Builder
- Professional Indemnity Insured
- $20 Million Public Liability Insurance
- More than 20 years of hands-on building experience
- Independent — the report is written for you
Enquiry received.
Thank you — your request has been sent and you will get a reply with availability, scope and cost.
If you are working to an auction or a cooling-off deadline and need an answer quickly, call 1300 140 579.