How detailed should Building and Pest be.

I'm wondering how detailed a Qld B&P normally is.

I just got mine back and it seems pretty low on specifics. It's missed heaps of things I noticed during the same hour the inspection took place.

An example being the report tiles on kitchen splashback cracked but failed to mention non functional external door hardware, cracked external windows, non working AC, colapsing concrete, broken down pipes etc for example.

The house had been re leveled and chocked, but not even a comment on this despite some areas of separation (ie verandah due to the over 100mm adjustment at one end/corner)

A few Things he commented i on in person aren't even in the report.

Maybe I'm expecting too much, but I'm sure I've seen far more detailed reports. Something I'd expect for $450. For hour on site and 30min to do such a report, I'm thinking becoming a licensed inspector isn't a bad gig, though I'm sure this isn't the norm?

 

Perhaps have a word with the building inspector and raise your concerns.

My last pest inspection report was quite detailed. A white ant was sticky taped as an answer to "Any evidence of active white ants" lol.

 

Out of curiosity, how much did you pay for this report?

 

I've emailed my concerns to the inspector. I kept it polite and constructive while making it clear I didn't think the report was acceptable and also linked a sample report from a different provider that was comparable in price

Ironically my letter contained more words than the comments in the report.

The report was $450.

I could get another licened builder (not inspector) to quote on issues then approach the vendor with these costs. Using the report I have is useless.

I'm feel like posting its comment contents (it's shorter than posts in this thread) along side pictures I've taken.

 

Bugger it, This is the entire defect description. There were no major defects listed. The hazard note refers to garage cladding sheets with holes (asbestos).

Remember no pics on this report, just the below and a note that the house had been releveled.

.......

D22 Minor defects
There are some Minor Defects. Monitoring and normal maintenance must be carried out (see also
Section G ‘Important note’).
The following are considered minor in nature:
Exterior
The garage has numerous defects that reflect its age - repairs are recommended in order to maintain
its function. Note hazard
The rear steps are fungi (rot) affected, the stringer is twisted and treads have slipped - repairs or
replacement is recommended
The bottow chamfer board is rot affected in parts - repair at will
The air conditioning unit is out of level - releveling on a level base is recommended
Paint stress to the windows is evident
Interior
The front left side light is cracked - replacement is recommended
The toilet cistern is not attached to the wall - screw fixings is recommended
The vanity has water staining and swelling - replace at will
The shower screen has a cracked panel - replacement is recommended
The laundry cabinet has no doors - repair or replace at will
The kitchen sink cabinet has water staining and swelling - replace at will
The splashback tiles are cracked - replace at will
Redo the sealant along the sink and splashback

 

That is definitely not what you paid for. In the building inspections I've had done, they've noted a whole bunch of things from a tiny bit of moisture in the walls to window fly screens not in place. I have found that reporting on poor workmanship seems to be overlooked though.

I would be asking for my money back.

 

I agreed, $450 doesn't fit the 1hr onsite, maybe 30min travel between jobs and 10mins it would have taken to type up such a lack luster report.

 

I hope this is true. That's excellent

 

lol..... Your right not being happy paying 450 for that

Did you see if he is licensed.....

 

States a QBCC and a search indicates validity.

I did very politely email him about my disappointment and expectations, upon which he spent half the reponse email validating himself and his thousands of inspections, tell me what I expected would be a specialisted and not a standard report, photos are unrealistic expectation and pointed out he told me about issue xyz issue anyways as an excuse for it not making the report.

The second half was slagging out the local company I just happened to pull a detailed report at similar costs off their website as an example.

I gave him a pest inspection on my PPOR and then B&P on potential IP the same week even (PPOR first).

I doubt I'll get a refund but could maybe enquire with QBCC as to what they think. His possibility met minimum requirement, but hardly met market standards and customer expectation/satisfaction.

 

In South Australia, it is an unregulated industry.
More important than a builders license (which isn't difficult to get) is referrals from previous customers, RE Agents or conveyencers they've dealt with.

 

Personally I'd consider it a 'lesson learned' to get referrals. The guy sounds like a jerk and he's unlikely to budge. The mental headache is not worth $400, I'd recommend taking it on the chin and moving on... perhaps get another buidling inspection if you're concerned about the property.

 

I hear what you're saying. He was a referral from someone I trusted. However I later found this was not from personal experience but 3rd hand.

 

Referred by the agent ?

 

By a PM friend, but as it turns out not via personal experience, but a 3rd party (mobile lender) that shares space in her office

 

You must've had the same bod who covered our place - he provided a 40 page addendum with the names of each termite, borer, lawn grub, roach, weevil, mite and louse in order of birth date, weight and hobbies.

 

Did you find any of these residents with questionable hobbies ?

 

Many were couch surfers living in neighbouring trees but would come over to 'borrow' the inside of the floorboards.

 

The report should be very detailed with specific issues identified in writing and photos included showing anything of note. The inspectors that we recommend to our clients also give them a call to discuss the report and walk them through it.

If you are not happy with the report, I wouldn't be paying for it until you are satisfied or send them back to do the job properly.