Receiving a building inspection report can be overwhelming, particularly if you’re buying your first home.
You may see terms such as Major Defect/Safety Hazard, defect, maintenance item, further investigation, restricted access or recommendations to obtain advice from a qualified contractor.
But what do those terms actually mean for you as a buyer?
A building inspection report isn’t simply a list of what’s wrong with a property. It records the condition of the visible and safely accessible areas at the time of inspection, identifies defects and concerns, and provides recommendations where further investigation, maintenance or repair may be appropriate.
This guide explains how to interpret some of the terminology and recommendations you may encounter in an Elevate Building Inspections report.
Want to see exactly how our reports are presented? View our Sample Building Inspection Report alongside this guide.
What Is Included in a Building Inspection Report?
Following a pre-purchase building inspection, Elevate provides a detailed photographic report documenting findings from the visible and safely accessible areas of the property.
Depending on the property, access and type of inspection, this may include observations relating to:
- Internal rooms and finishes
- External building elements
- Roof exterior
- Roof space
- Subfloor areas
- Moisture-related concerns
- Drainage
- Cracking and movement
- Building deterioration
- Maintenance requirements
- Safety concerns
- Areas requiring further investigation
When a building and pest inspection is completed, it also considers timber pest risks, including termites, borers, and conditions that may contribute to timber deterioration or pest activity.
Consider the report as a whole rather than simply counting how many defects have been identified.
Major Defect / Safety Hazard
One classification buyers are naturally most concerned about is Major Defect/Safety Hazard.
This classification indicates that a finding deserves significantly more attention than an ordinary maintenance item.
For example, Elevate’s sample inspection identified visible moisture damage to kitchen flooring. Inspection of the accessible subfloor also identified damp conditions affecting the subfloor and adjacent framing associated with an active leak.
The report categorised the finding as a Major Defect/Safety Hazard, and recommended further investigation by a qualified plumbing contractor.
This demonstrates why the classification shouldn’t be considered in isolation.
The important questions are:
- What has been identified?
- Where is the defect?
- What appears to be causing it?
- How extensive could the problem be?
- Is the issue ongoing?
- Has further investigation been recommended?
- Which professional should investigate it?
A Major Defect/Safety Hazard doesn’t automatically tell you whether you should or shouldn’t purchase a property. It means the finding deserves careful attention.
For more information, read What Happens If a Building Inspection Finds Major Defects?.
You can also read our detailed guide to What Does “Major Defect” Mean on a Building Inspection Report?
Minor Defects and General Defects
Not everything identified in an inspection is a major problem.
Established properties commonly contain defects associated with age, deterioration, weather exposure and normal use.
Depending on the property, these could include:
- Minor cracking
- Deteriorated finishes
- Failed sealants
- Localised deterioration
- Damaged fittings
- Weathered materials
- Minor roof or gutter maintenance
- General repair requirements
These findings are still worth understanding.
A relatively small maintenance issue can sometimes contribute to a larger problem if it’s ignored for an extended period.
For example, deteriorated caulking around a wet area may appear minor compared with structural movement, but maintaining caulking and grout can help minimise water seepage into subsurface areas.
Read our guide to Major Defect vs Minor Defect for a closer look at how the significance of different building defects can vary.
Maintenance Items
A building inspection can also identify items that require maintenance rather than substantial rectification.
The distinction is useful for buyers because an established home isn’t expected to be completely defect-free.
Elevate’s sample inspection, for example, includes recommendations around caulking and grout maintenance in wet areas.
Shower and bath junctions should be monitored for issues such as:
- Cracking
- Mould staining
- Loss of adhesion
- Separation from adjoining surfaces
- Deteriorated sealant or grout
These aren’t necessarily evidence of an existing major building failure.
Instead, they demonstrate how inspection reports can identify maintenance requirements that may help reduce the likelihood of future deterioration.
Moisture Damage
Moisture is particularly important because what you can see on the finished surface may only tell part of the story.
Elevate’s sample inspection provides a good example.
Visible moisture damage was identified to the kitchen flooring, but the inspection also identified:
- An active leak
- Damp conditions within the subfloor
- Damp adjacent framing
- Moisture affecting the underside of the flooring
This demonstrates why visible swelling, staining or deterioration shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as cosmetic.
Prolonged moisture exposure may potentially affect flooring, framing, plasterboard, cabinetry and fixings.
If a visual inspection can’t fully establish the source or extent of moisture damage, a specialist investigation may be recommended.
Read Signs of Water Damage to Look for When Buying a House for examples of warning signs buyers can look for during an open inspection.
What Does “Further Investigation Recommended” Mean?
This is one of the most important recommendations to understand.
A building inspector may identify evidence of a problem without being able to determine its complete cause or extent within the scope of a visual, non-invasive inspection.
For example, Elevate’s sample report identified an active kitchen leak and recommended investigation by a qualified plumbing contractor.
Why?
Because identifying visible moisture damage and diagnosing the complete plumbing problem are different tasks.
Further investigation may be recommended where specialist expertise, testing or additional access is required.
Depending on the finding, you may be referred to an appropriately qualified:
- Plumber
- Structural engineer
- Electrician
- Roofing contractor
- Drainage specialist
- Builder
- Timber pest professional
- Other relevant specialist
A recommendation for further investigation doesn’t automatically mean an issue is catastrophic.
It means the available evidence warrants closer assessment before you draw conclusions about its cause, extent, or appropriate rectification.
Read our complete guide: What Does “Further Investigation Recommended” Mean in a Building Inspection Report?
Roof Defects and Maintenance
The roof can offer important clues about a property’s overall condition and maintenance.
Elevate’s sample inspection identified findings including:
- Roof debris
- Roof rust
- Debris within gutters
- Water staining to external eaves
Individually, these findings need to be considered in context.
For example, staining beneath the roofline may indicate that water has entered or overflowed in that area, but the stain itself doesn’t establish exactly where the water originated.
The surrounding roof coverings, gutters, flashings and drainage conditions may all need to be considered.
Debris within gutters can also restrict the effective movement of rainwater and increase the potential for overflow.
This is why the report records both the visible defect and, where appropriate, recommendations for maintenance or further investigation.
Subfloor Findings
For properties with an accessible subfloor, inspecting beneath the house can reveal conditions that aren’t obvious from inside.
The Elevate sample inspection identified damp framing associated with an ongoing leak as well as moisture affecting the underside of the flooring.
Potential subfloor observations can include:
- Damp or darkened timber
- Timber deterioration
- Moisture beneath flooring
- Plumbing leaks
- Drainage concerns
- Restricted ventilation
- Structural deterioration
- Timber pest evidence
This is one reason a professional pre-purchase building inspection goes beyond simply walking through the home’s internal rooms.
Water Staining
Water staining is evidence that deserves investigation, but a stain doesn’t automatically tell you its cause.
The Elevate inspection identified water staining on the external eaves, along with roof and gutter maintenance issues.
Depending on its location, staining could potentially relate to:
- Roof leaks
- Flashing defects
- Gutter overflow
- Plumbing
- Drainage
- Historical water ingress
- Other moisture sources
This is why an inspector considers the surrounding building elements rather than simply photographing the stain and moving on.
Our article on Signs of Water Damage When Buying a House explains these warning signs in more detail.
Drainage Findings and Limitations
Drainage around a property can significantly influence moisture conditions.
Water pooling around a building or being directed towards the home rather than away from it can contribute to damp conditions and deterioration.
Elevate’s inspection documentation recommends monitoring drainage during rainfall and keeping drainage points clear to reduce the potential for surface water accumulation.
However, there is an important limitation to understand.
A standard pre-purchase building inspection involves a visual assessment of surface drainage. It doesn’t test underground stormwater or sewer systems.
If visible conditions suggest an underground drainage problem, further investigation by a licensed plumber or drainage specialist may be appropriate.
This is a good example of why the limitations section of your inspection report matters.
Restricted and Inaccessible Areas
A pre-purchase building inspection is a visual and non-invasive assessment.
That means there can be areas the inspector can’t see or safely access.
Access may be affected by:
- Furniture
- Stored belongings
- Floor coverings
- Fixed cabinetry
- Finished wall and ceiling linings
- Low roof spaces
- Restricted subfloor clearance
- Locked areas
- Insulation
- Unsafe access conditions
An inspector doesn’t remove walls, lift finished flooring or dismantle fixed building components simply to see what’s behind them.
If an area can’t be inspected, that limitation should be considered when interpreting the report.
This becomes particularly important when there are visible warning signs around an inaccessible area.
Why Inspection Limitations Matter
No visual building inspection can provide absolute certainty about every concealed part of a property.
For example, floor coverings may conceal damage. Cabinetry may restrict access to plumbing. Wall linings can conceal framing. Insulation may prevent visibility of building elements.
This doesn’t reduce the value of the inspection.
Instead, it explains why professional inspection reports clearly identify limitations and recommend additional investigation when the visible evidence warrants it.
The aim is to distinguish between what could be observed, what couldn’t be observed and what may need further investigation.
Timber Pest Findings
A combined building and pest inspection adds a dedicated assessment for timber pest risks.
Depending on the property, the report may discuss:
- Termite evidence
- Borer activity
- Timber deterioration
- Previous pest activity
- Timber damage
- Conditions that may increase timber pest risk
It’s important to understand the difference between finding evidence of timber pest activity and identifying a property condition that may make pest activity more likely.
Conditions Conducive to Timber Pests
A report may identify conditions that increase the potential risk of timber pest activity even where active termites haven’t been identified.
Depending on the property, these may relate to issues such as:
- Persistent moisture
- Damp subfloor conditions
- Poor drainage
- Timber deterioration
- Timber-to-ground contact
- Restricted ventilation
- Other environmental conditions favourable to timber pests
This is another reason moisture, drainage and timber pest findings shouldn’t always be considered separately.
The conditions affecting one part of a property can influence another.
If you’re buying an established home and want both aspects assessed, consider a Building and Pest Inspection in Melbourne.
How Should You Read Your Building Inspection Report?
Don’t simply count the number of items in the report.
Instead, work through the findings according to their significance and the actions recommended.
1. Start With Major Defects and Safety Hazards
Identify the findings given the greatest significance and read the complete descriptions and recommendations.
2. Look for Active Problems
An active leak, ongoing water ingress or another continuing problem may deserve particular attention because deterioration could continue until the underlying issue is rectified.
3. Review Recommendations for Further Investigation
Identify which findings require another appropriately qualified professional to establish the cause or extent.
4. Look for Related Findings
Don’t necessarily treat each defect as an isolated problem.
For example, Elevate’s sample report contained visible kitchen flooring damage, an active leak and damp subfloor framing.
Taken together, these findings provide considerably more information than the damaged flooring would alone.
5. Review Access Limitations
Check which parts of the property weren’t accessible and consider whether any surrounding findings increase the importance of those limitations.
6. Review Maintenance Requirements
Finally, look at the smaller defects and maintenance items.
These help you understand the general condition of the property and the work that may be required after purchase.
Does a Building Inspection Report Tell You Whether to Buy the House?
No.
A building inspection isn’t a pass-or-fail test.
Its purpose is to give you clearer information about the visible condition of the property before you make a major financial commitment.
One buyer may be comfortable buying a home that needs substantial repairs. Another may want a property that needs relatively little immediate work.
Your inspection report gives you evidence that can help you:
- Better understand the property’s condition
- Ask informed questions
- Obtain specialist advice where appropriate
- Investigate repair requirements
- Discuss significant findings with your conveyancer or legal practitioner
- Make a more informed decision about whether to proceed
If your report identifies substantial problems, read What Happens If a Building Inspection Finds Major Defects? for more information about potential next steps.
See an Elevate Building Inspection Report for Yourself
The easiest way to understand an inspection report is to see one.
Our Sample Building Inspection Report shows the type of findings, photographs, defect classifications, maintenance recommendations and inspection limitations that may appear in a report.
It can help you understand what you’re actually receiving before booking an inspection.
View the Sample Building Inspection Report →
Book a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection in Melbourne
Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make.
Elevate Building Inspections provides Pre-Purchase Building Inspections in Melbourne assessing visible and safely accessible areas for structural concerns, moisture problems, roofing defects, drainage issues, safety concerns, poor workmanship and other defects that may warrant further investigation.
For buyers who also want timber pest risks assessed, we provide Building and Pest Inspections.
Following the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed photographic report explaining the findings and identifying areas where maintenance, repair or further investigation may be appropriate.
Book your inspection with Elevate Building Inspections.
