Inspection Services Agreement for Building Inspections and Timber Pest Inspections.

 

INSPECTION 1. BUILDING

INSPECTION 2. TIMBER PEST

To avoid any misunderstanding please read below and then answer the questions on the last page prior to your scheduled inspection. This is mandatory.

The Australian Standard that governs inspections, strongly recommends that to protect you and the inspector from any misunderstanding, that an inspection agreement be made prior to the inspection. The agreement outlines to the client the inspector’s scope and limitations of the building inspection and report. The client is requested to acknowledge understanding of and agreement to this document and further authorise the inspector to proceed with the building inspection and report as requested.

Our inspector will inspect and report on your nominated property in accordance with the Inspection of Buildings – Part 1 – Pre Purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings Appendix C AS4349.1-2007 and Inspections of Buildings – Part 3 – Timber Pest Inspections (AS4349.3- 2010).

The purpose of the inspection is to provide advice to you the client, regarding the condition of the property and the evidence of timber pests at the date and time of inspection. Please be aware that your Building & Pest Report will NOT be an electrical report, plumbing report, pool report, cost estimate report, compliance certificate or a guarantee against future problems from developing. It will however, be clear, concise and conclusive to help you understand the main issues regarding building and timber pest items covered by the Australian Standard.

In ordering the inspection, you agree that the inspection will be carried out in accordance with the following clauses, which define the scope and limitations of AS4349. Unless told otherwise a copy of the report will be sent to the selling agent to forward to the settlement agent and for their records only.

As requested by the Client, i.e. the person or persons, for whom the Report is to be carried out or their Principal (i.e. the person or persons for whom the report is being obtained), the inspection is to be based solely on one of the following options:

Option 1  A Standard Pre Purchase Building & Timber Pest Report comprising a Property Report and a Timber Pest Report. The Report will be produced for the exclusive use of the Client. The Consultant, their company or firm is not liable for any reliance placed on the report by any third party.

Option 2  A Special-Purpose Inspection Report must include the defined purpose, scope and acceptance criteria on which the inspection report is to be based. A Special-Purpose Inspection Report may include Option 1 as well as the requirements of the Client which are specified within the invoice supplied.

The Report will be produced for the exclusive use of the Client. The Consultant, their company or firm is not liable for any reliance placed on the report by any third party.

 

 INSPECTION 1 of 2 – BUILDING INSPECTION REPORT – TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. SCOPE OF WORK

(a) As requested by the Client, the inspection carried out by the Building Consultant (“the Consultant”) is a Standard Property Inspection Report The purpose of the inspection is to provide advice to the Client regarding the condition of the Building & Site at the time of inspection. A Standard Property Inspection Report only covers and deals with any evidence of: Major Defects in the condition of Primary Elements including Structural Damage and Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage; any Major Defect in the condition of Secondary Elements and Finishing Elements; collective (but not individual) Minor Defects; and any Serious Safety Hazard discernible at the time of inspection. The inspection is limited to the Readily Accessible Areas of the Building & Site (see Note below) and is based on a visual examination of surface work (excluding furniture and stored items), and the carrying out of Tests.

The building is to be compared with a building that was constructed in accordance with the generally accepted practice at the time of construction and which has been maintained such that there has been no significant loss of strength and serviceability.

Note With strata and company title properties, the inspection is limited to the interior and the immediate exterior of the particular residence to be inspected. Common property is not inspected as part of the Inspection Report.

(b) Unless noted in “Special Conditions or Instructions”, the Inspection Report assumes that the existing use of the building will continue.
(c) The Inspection Report only records the observations and conclusions of the Consultant about the readily observable state of the property at the time of inspection. The Inspection Report therefore cannot deal with:
(i) possible concealment of defects, including but not limited to, defects concealed by lack of accessibility, obstructions such as furniture, wall linings and floor coverings, or by applied finishes such as render and paint; and
(ii) undetectable or latent defects, including but not limited to, defects that may not be apparent at the time of inspection due to seasonal changes, recent or prevailing weather conditions, and whether or not services have been used some time prior to the inspection being carried out.
These matters outlined above in (i) & (ii) are excluded from consideration in the Inspection Report.

(d) Any concerns about the scope of the Inspection Report must be notified in writing by the Client to the Consultant, whether it be before ordering the Inspection Report or after it is received.
(e) Unless stated otherwise in the Inspection Report, the Client as a matter of urgency should implement any recommendation or advice given in the Inspection Report.

2. NO INSPECTION OR NON-PERFORMANCE

The Consultant may reject proceeding with an inspection; in which event any fees, deposit or other money paid by the Client will be refunded. The Consultant is not liable for failure to perform any duty or obligation under this Agreement, where such failure is caused by inclement weather, industrial disturbance, inevitable accident, inability to obtain labour or transportation, or any cause outside the reasonable control of the Consultant.

3. LIMITATIONS

(a) The Inspection Report does not include any matters outside the scope of the ordered inspection and Inspection Report.
(b) The Inspection Report does not include the inspection and assessment of items or matters that do not fall within the Consultant’s direct expertise.
(c) The inspection does not cover areas that were inaccessible, not readily accessible or obstructed at the time of inspection. Obstructions are defined as any condition or physical limitation which inhibit or prevent inspection and may include, but are not limited to, roofing, fixed ceilings, wall linings, floor coverings, fixtures, fittings, furniture, clothes, stored articles/materials, thermal insulation, sarking, pipe/duct work, builder’s debris, vegetation, pavements or earth. Areas or building elements that are not normally accessible or exposed are not inspected, such as concealed framing timbers, a flat roof void or under slab-on-ground construction as it is not considered ‘practical’ to gain access to such restricted areas. Whilst carrying out the inspection of the accessible areas, those parts that are not readily accessible are not inspected, such as areas more than 3.6 metres above ground or floor levels (see also the definition of “Readily Accessible Areas”).
(d) Australian Standard AS4349.0-2007 Inspection of Buildings, Part 0: General Requirements recognises that a property report is not a warranty or an insurance policy against problems developing with the building in the future.
(e) Whether or not the water supply and drainage systems including fixtures such as a shower have been used for some time prior to an inspection being carried out will affect the detection of dampness. Also, the presence of dampness including that caused by a leaking roof is not always consistent as the prevailing and recent weather conditions at the time an inspection is carried out may affect the detection of damp problems. The absence of any dampness at the time of inspection does not necessarily mean the building will not experience some damp problems in other weather conditions or when water supply and drainage systems including fixtures are used for a prolonged period. The Inspection Report does not guarantee that existing damp problems will not be discovered in the future.
(f) The presence and extent of cracking in building elements is not always discernible at the time of inspection. Limiting factors such as the impact of seasonal weather changes on the structure and differential movement of building elements especially in concealed areas of the property such as foundations may affect the detection of a cracking problem. The Inspection Report does not guarantee that existing cracking and movement problems will not be discovered in the future.
(g) Due to the secretive nature of timber pests, the presence and extent of structural timber pest damage to building elements may not be discernible at the time of inspection. Structural timber pest damage may only be revealed by a more invasive type of inspection, for example, removal of wall linings. The Inspection Report does not guarantee that existing structural timber pest damage will not be discovered in the future, especially in the concealed areas of the property.
(h) The Inspection Report is to be produced for the Client’s use alone. No liability is accepted by the Consultant or any related body corporate, firm or entity in the event of any reliance on the Inspection Report by any third party.

4. EXCLUSIONS

The Inspection Report does not cover or deal with:
(a) any individual Minor Defect;
(b) solving or providing costs for any rectification or repair work;
(c) the structural design or adequacy of any element of construction;
(d) detection of wood destroying insects such as termites and wood borers;
(e) the operation of fireplaces and chimneys;
(f) any services including building, mechanical or engineering services such as electrical, water, gas, sewerage, drainage, ventilation, heating, air conditioning, solar power, fire, smoke detection, acoustics and communications;
(g) flood testing of shower recesses;
(h) a review of fire safety risks including those associated with combustible external wall cladding or whether any cladding complies with building regulations. Specialist consulting services are needed to report on this risk.
(i) lighting or energy efficiency;
(j) any swimming pools and associated pool equipment or spa baths and spa equipment or the like;
(k) any appliances such as dishwashers, insinkerators, ovens, stoves and ducted vacuum systems;
(l) a review of occupational, health or safety issues such as silica and asbestos content, the provision of safety glass or the use of lead-based paints;
(m) a review of environmental or health or biological risks such as toxic mould;
(n) environmental matters (such as BASIX, water tanks, NCC Environmental Provisions);
(o) whether the building complies with the provisions of any building Act, code, regulation(s) or by-laws;
(p) whether the ground on which the building rests has been filled, is liable to subside, swell or shrink, is subject to landslip, earthquakes or tidal inundation, or if it is flood prone; and
(q) in the case of strata and company title properties, the inspection of common property areas or strata/company records.

Any of the above matters may be the subject of a special-purpose inspection report, which is adequately specified and undertaken by an appropriately qualified inspector.

5. DEFINITIONS

(a) Client means the person(s) or entity requesting the Inspection Report or their Principal (i.e. the person(s) or entity for whom the Inspection Report is being obtained, where applicable).
(b) Building Consultant means a person, business or company who is suitably qualified and experienced to undertake an inspection in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 Inspection of Buildings. Part 1: Pre-Purchase Inspections – Residential Buildings. The consultant must also meet any Government licensing requirement, where applicable.
(c) Building & Site means the inspection of the nominated residence together with relevant features including any 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 stormwater run-off within 30 m of the building, but within the property boundaries. In the case of strata and company title properties, the inspection is limited to the interior and immediate exterior of the nominated residence and does not include inspection of common property.
(d) Readily Accessible Areas means areas which can be easily and safely inspected without injury to person or property, are up to 3.6 metres above ground or floor levels or accessible from a 3.6 metre ladder, in roof spaces where the minimum area of accessibility is not less than 600 mm high by 600 mm wide and subfloor spaces where the minimum area of accessibility is not less than 400 mm high by 600 mm wide, providing the spaces or areas permit entry. Or where these clearances are not available, areas within the consultant’s unobstructed line of sight and within arm’s length.
(e) Structure means the loadbearing part of the building, comprising the Primary Elements.
(f) Primary Elements means those parts of the building providing the basic loadbearing capacity to the Structure, such as foundations, footings, floor framing, loadbearing walls, beams or columns. The term ‘Primary Elements’ also includes other structural building elements including: those that provide a level of personal protection such as handrails; floor-to-floor access such as stairways; and the structural flooring of the building such as floorboards.
(g) Structural Damage means a significant impairment to the integrity of the whole or part of the Structure falling into one or more of the following categories:
(i) Structural Cracking and Movement – major (full depth) cracking forming in Primary Elements resulting from differential movement between or within the elements of construction, such as foundations, footings, floors, walls and roofs.
(ii) Deformation – an abnormal change of shape of Primary Elements resulting from the application of load(s).
(iii) Dampness – the presence of moisture within the building, which is causing consequential damage to Primary Elements, excluding secondary wall moisture.
(iv) Structural Timber Pest Damage – structural failure, i.e. an obvious weak spot, deformation or even collapse of timber Primary Elements (structural) resulting from attack by one or more of the following wood-destroying agents: chemical delignification; fungal decay; wood borers; and termites.
(h) Conditions Conducive to Structural Damage means noticeable building deficiencies or environmental factors that may contribute to the occurrence of Structural Damage.
(i) Secondary Elements means those parts of the building not providing loadbearing capacity to the Structure, or those non-essential elements which, in the main, perform a completion role around openings in Primary Elements and the building in general such as non-loadbearing walls, partitions, wall linings, ceilings, chimneys, flashings, windows, glazing or doors.
(j) Finishing Elements means the fixtures, fittings and finishes applied or affixed to Primary Elements and Secondary Elements such as baths, water closets, vanity basins, kitchen cupboards, door furniture, window hardware, render, floor and wall tiles, trim or paint. The term ‘Finishing Elements’ does not include insulation, furniture or soft floor coverings such as carpet and lino.
(k) Major Defect means a defect of significant magnitude where rectification has to be carried out in order to avoid unsafe conditions, loss of utility or further deterioration of the property.
(l) Minor Defect means a defect other than a Major Defect.
(m) Serious Safety Hazard means any item that may constitute an immediate or imminent risk to life, health or property. Occupational, health and safety or any other consequence of these hazards has not been assessed.
(n) Tests means where appropriate the carrying out of tests using the following procedures and instruments:
(i) Dampness Tests – additional attention to the visual examination was given to those accessible areas which the consultant’s experience has shown to be particularly susceptible to damp problems. Instrument testing using electronic moisture detecting meter of those areas and other visible accessible elements of construction showing evidence of dampness was performed.
(ii) Physical Tests means the following physical actions undertaken by the consultant: opening and shutting of doors, windows and draws; operation of taps; water (spray) testing of shower recesses; and the tapping of tiles and wall plaster.

6. GENERAL

(Severability) If a provision or part of this Agreement is held invalid, void, unenforceable or illegal for any reason, it is to be read down if possible, so as to be valid, enforceable and legal. But if it cannot be read down it is to be taken to be severed from this Agreement and this Agreement will otherwise remain in full force.

(Composition) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties about its subject matter and supersedes all previous agreements, proposals, offers, undertakings, representations, arrangements, understandings, covenants, terms, conditions, warranties or provisions of all types whether express or implied and whether written or oral.

(Variation) This Agreement or any part of it may be varied, modified, amended, added to or substituted only by a document in writing executed by the parties.

 

INSPECTION 2 of 2. TIMBER PEST INSPECTION REPORT – TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. SCOPE OF WORK

(a) As requested by the Client, the inspection carried out by the Timber Pest Detection Consultant (“the Consultant”) is a Standard Timber Pest Inspection Report The purpose of a Standard Timber Pest Inspection Report is to assist the Client to identify and understand any Timber Pest issues observed at the time of inspection. A Standard Timber Pest Inspection Report only deals with the detection or non-detection of Timber Pest Attack and Conditions Conducive to Timber Pest Attack discernible at the time of inspection. The inspection is limited to the Readily Accessible Areas of the Building & Site (see Note 1) and is based on a visual examination of surface work (excluding furniture and stored items), and the carrying out of Tests. Unless otherwise agreed and noted in “Special Conditions or Instructions” for this Inspection Report request, the acceptance criteria against which the subject building will be assessed is: The building being inspected is to be compared with a similar building (see Note 2). To the Consultant’s knowledge the similar building used for comparison was constructed in accordance with generally accepted timber pest management practices and has since been maintained during all its life not to attract or support timber pest infestation.

Note 1. With strata and company title properties, the inspection is limited to the interior and the immediate exterior of the particular residence to be inspected. Common property is not inspected as part of the Inspection Report. The Client may have additional liability for Timber Pest Attack in the common property. This additional liability can only be addressed through the undertaking of a Special-Purpose Timber Pest Inspection Report which is adequately specified.

Note 2. If the building is not comparable to a similar building (e.g. due to unusual design or construction techniques), then the inspection shall be based on the general knowledge and experience of the Consultant.
(b) Unless noted in “Special Conditions or Instructions”, the Inspection Report assumes that the existing use of the building will continue.
(c) The Inspection Report only records the observations and conclusions of the Consultant about the readily observable state of the property at the time of inspection. The Inspection Report therefore cannot deal with:
(i) possible concealment of timber pest attack, including but not limited to, timber pest attack concealed by lack of accessibility, obstructions such as furniture, wall linings and floor coverings, or by applied finishes such as render and paint; and
(ii) undetectable or latent timber pest attack, including but not limited to, timber pest attack that may not be apparent at the time of inspection due to seasonal changes, recent or prevailing weather conditions, and whether or not services have been used some time prior to the inspection being carried out.

These matters outlined above in (i) & (ii) are excluded from consideration in the Inspection Report.

(d) Any concerns about the scope of the Inspection Report must be notified in writing by the Client to the Consultant, whether it be before ordering the Inspection Report or after it is received.
(e) Unless stated otherwise in the Inspection Report, the Client as a matter of urgency should implement any recommendation or advice given in the Inspection Report.
(f) Tile battens support roof tiles, accordingly, issues arising from tile battens cannot be structural in nature, if they are merely supporting roof coverings. Defects in roof coverings and Elements therefore cannot be considered to be Structural in nature given the definition of A3 (A) above. Should tile battens be degraded such that they are not providing support to the tile, this would be a minor defect and cannot be reported as a structural defect. The inspector specifically limits all liability associated with subsequent claims relating to tile battens, C.D, and by your engagement of the inspector you acknowledge and agree that you will have no claim against the inspector in relation to Chemical delignification not being reported as a structural defect or major structural defect.

2. NO INSPECTION OR NON-PERFORMANCE

The Consultant may reject proceeding with an inspection; in which event any fees, deposit or other money paid by the Client will be refunded. The Consultant is not liable for failure to perform any duty or obligation under this Agreement, where such failure is caused by inclement weather, industrial disturbance, inevitable accident, inability to obtain labour or transportation, or any cause outside the reasonable control of the Consultant.

3. LIMITATIONS

(a) The Inspection Report does not include any matters outside the scope of the ordered inspection and Inspection Report.
(b) The inspection does not cover areas that were inaccessible, not readily accessible or obstructed at the time of inspection. Obstructions are defined as any condition or physical limitation which inhibit or prevent inspection and may include, but are not limited to, roofing, fixed ceilings, wall linings, floor coverings, fixtures, fittings, furniture, clothes, stored articles/materials, thermal insulation, sarking, pipe/duct work, builder’s debris, vegetation, pavements or earth. Areas or building elements that are not normally accessible or exposed are not inspected, such as concealed framing timbers, a flat roof void or under slab-on-ground construction as it is not considered ‘practical’ to gain access to such restricted areas. Whilst carrying out the inspection of the accessible areas, those parts that are not readily accessible are not inspected, such as areas more than 3.6 metres above ground or floor levels (see also the definition of “Readily Accessible Areas”).
(c) The detection of drywood termites may be extremely difficult due to the small size of the colonies. No warranty of absence of these termites is given.
(d) European House Borer (Hylotrupes bajulus) attack is difficult to detect in the early stages of infestation as the galleries of boring larvae rarely break through the affected timber surface. No warranty of absence of these borers is given. Regular inspections including the carrying out of appropriate tests are required to help monitor susceptible timbers.
(e) The Inspection Report is not a structural damage report. Neither is it a warranty as to the absence of timber pest attack.
(f) Due to the secretive nature of timber pests, the presence and extent of timber pest activity and damage may not be discernible at the time of inspection. Timber pest activity and damage may only be revealed by a more invasive type of inspection, for example, removal of wall linings. This Inspection Report does not guarantee that existing timber pest activity and damage will not be discovered in the future, especially in the concealed areas of the property.
(g) If the inspection is to be limited to any particular type(s) of timber pest (e.g. termites), then this would be the subject of a Special-Purpose Inspection Report, which is adequately specified.
(h) The Inspection Report does not cover or deal with environmental risk assessment or biological risks not associated with Timber Pests (e.g. toxic mould) or occupational, health or safety issues. Such advice may be the subject of a Special-Purpose Inspection Report which is adequately specified and must be undertaken by an appropriately qualified inspector. The choice of such inspector is a matter for the Client.
(i) The Inspection Report is to be produced for the Client’s use alone. No liability is accepted by the Consultant or any related body corporate, firm or entity in the event of any reliance on the Inspection Report by any third party.
(j) AS4349.3 – 2010 1.1:2 Chemical delignification is not a timber pest under the scope of this standard, even though delignified timber closes resembles timber that has been decayed by a white stringy rot fungus.

4. EXCLUSION

(a) The Inspection Report does not cover or deal with any timber pest preventative or treatment measures, or provide costs for the control, rectification or prevention of attack by timber pests. However, this additional information or advice may be the subject of a Timber Pest Management Proposal, which is adequately specified.

5. DEFINITIONS
(a) Client means the person(s) or entity requesting the Inspection Report or their Principal (i.e. the person(s) or entity for whom the Inspection Report is being obtained, where applicable).
(b) Timber Pest Detection Consultant means a person, business or company who meets the minimum skills requirement set out in the current Australian Standard AS 4349.3 Inspections of Buildings. Part 3: Timber Pest Inspection Reports or state/territory legislation requirements beyond this Standard, where applicable.
(c) Timber Pests means one or more of the following wood-destroying agents which attack timber in service and affect its structural properties:
(i) Chemical Delignification – the breakdown of timber through chemical action (limited to structural elements only as per REIWA). Chemical delignification is a process that affects the surfaces of timber and is associated most often with tiled roofs of older properties in coastal areas. Airborne salts enter roof spaces through ventilation or gaps between the tiles and settle on the surface of timbers within the roof space, which includes tile battens. The visual effect of delignification is the formation of a woolly material on the surface of the timber that can appear to be extensive. However, when this material is removed by brushing or scraping the
underlying timber is usually found to be sound. This is because the process of chemical delignification does not penetrate deep into the member cross section, with the depth of effect generally being limited
to 1 or 2 mm of the wood surface even after 100 years or more of exposure to salt contaminants. There can be some minor reduction in the cross sectional area of the timber battens, but this will very rarely have a significant impact on the strength of the batten itself.
(ii) Fungal Decay – the microbiological degradation of timber caused by soft rot fungi and decay fungi, but does not include mould, which is a type of fungus that does not structurally damage wood.
(iii) Wood Borers – wood destroying insects belonging to the order ‘Coleoptera’ which commonly attack seasoned timber.
(iv) Termites – wood destroying insects belonging to the order ‘Isoptera’ which commonly attack seasoned timber.
(d) Timber Pest Attack means Timber Pest Activity and/or Timber Pest Damage.
(e) Timber Pest Activity means telltale signs associated with ‘active’ (live) and/or ‘inactive’ (absence of live) Timber Pests at the time of inspection.
(f) Timber Pest Damage means noticeable impairments to the integrity of timber and other susceptible materials resulting from attack by Timber Pests.
(g) Major Safety Hazard means any item that may constitute an immediate or imminent risk to life, health or property resulting directly from Timber Pest Attack. Occupational, health and safety or any other consequence of these hazards has not been assessed.
(h) Conditions Conducive to Timber Pest Attack means noticeable building deficiencies and oversights or environmental factors that may contribute to the presence of Timber Pests or promote concealed Termite entry to buildings and structures.
(i) Readily Accessible Areas means areas which can be easily and safely inspected without injury to person or property, are up to 3.6 metres above ground or floor levels, in roof spaces where the minimum area of accessibility is not less than 600 mm high by 600 mm wide and subfloor spaces where the minimum area of accessibility is not less than 400 mm high by 600 mm wide, providing the spaces or areas permit entry. The term ‘readily accessible’ also includes:
i. accessible subfloor areas on a sloping site where the minimum clearance is not less than 150 mm high at the inside face of an external wall, provided that the areas is not more than 2 metres from a point with conforming clearance (i.e. 400 mm high by 600 mm wide); and
ii. areas at the eaves of accessible roof spaces, that are within the consultant’s unobstructed line of sight and within arm’s length from a point with conforming clearance (i.e. 600 mm high by 600 mm wide).

(j) Building and Site means the main building (or main buildings in the case of a building complex) and all timber structures (such as outbuildings, landscaping, retaining walls, fences, bridges, trees and stumps with a diameter greater than 100 mm and timber embedded in soil) and the land within the property boundaries up to a distance of 30 metres from the main building(s), but this distance may be extended to 50 metres if recommended by the consultant.
(k) Tests means additional attention to the visual examination was given to those accessible areas which the consultant’s experience has shown to be particularly susceptible to attack by Timber Pests. Instrument Testing of those areas and other visible accessible timbers/materials/areas showing evidence of attack was performed. The definition ‘Tests’ also includes the carrying out of Additional Tests, if recommended by the consultant.
(l) Instrument Testing means where appropriate the carrying out of Tests using the following techniques and instruments:
     (i) electronic moisture detecting meter – an instrument used for assessing the moisture content of building elements;
(ii) stethoscope – an instrument used to hear sounds made by termites within building elements;
(iii) probing – a technique where timber and other materials/areas are penetrated with a sharp instrument (e.g. bradawl or pocket knife), but does not include probing of decorative timbers or finishes, or the drilling of timber and trees; and
(iv) sounding – a technique where timber is tapped with a solid object.
(m) Additional Tests means where areas of high moisture or visible damage are detected during inspection that cannot be readily explained or where termite activity is suspected but cannot be readily located, a further inspection of those areas was carried out using one or more of the following non-destructive specialist detection tools:
     (i) termite radar unit – an instrument that uses microwave emission to help pick up the concealed movement of termites;
(ii) thermal imaging camera – an instrument to aid in the detection of concealed termite activity by measuring differentials in the heat energy of an object; and
(iii) termite detector animal – an animal such as a sniffer dog trained to use its sense of smell to detect the odour of termites.
(iv) chemical delignification assessment by physical brushing or scraping of tile battens with a hand tool only.

6. GENERAL

(a) You acknowledge and agree that Precision Building Inspections report in line with InspectWA, AS4349.1, Industry Practice and that if the inspector finds evidence of Chemical Delignification ‘C.D’ (which is a breakdown of fibres within the timber) to the roof tile battens, this cannot be found to be a major structural defect in the building. In accordance with the Australian standard AS 4349.1 – 2007 “inspection of buildings” Appendix A provides that: A3 scope of inspection.

(b) The inspection shall comprise visual assessment of accessible areas of the property to identify major defects to the building structure and to form an opinion regarding the general condition of the structure of the property. NOTE: the Structural report should not contain any assessment or opinion regarding the following:

     (i) any non-structural element e.g. roof plumbing and roof covering, general gas, water and sanitary plumbing, electrical wiring, partition walls, cabinetry windows, doors, trims,

     (ii) serviceability damp defects such as condensation rising damp lateral damp falling damp should only be assessed and reported on where structural damage has occurred, is occurring, or may occur (e.g. fungal rot) significant spalling of masonry or concrete structural elements, significant fretting or mortar, rusting of primary structural Elements. 

     (iii) tile battens support roof tiles, accordingly, issues arising from tile battens cannot be structurally in nature, if they are merely supporting roof coverings. Defects in roof coverings and Elements therefore cannot be considered to be Structural in nature given the definition of A3 (A) above. Should tile battens be degraded such that they are not providing support to the tile, this would be a minor defect and cannot be reported as a structural defect.

     (iv) the inspector specifically limits all liability associated with subsequent claims relating to tile battens, C.D, and by your engagement of the inspector you acknowledge and agree that you will have no claim against the inspector in relation to Chemical delignification not being reported as a structural defect or major structural defect.

 

(a) (Severability) If a provision or part of this Agreement is held invalid, void, unenforceable or illegal for any reason, it is to be read down if possible, so as to be valid, enforceable and legal. But if it cannot be read down it is to be taken to be severed from this Agreement and this Agreement will otherwise remain in full force.

(b) (Composition) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties about its subject matter and supersedes all previous agreements, proposals, offers, undertakings, representations, arrangements, understandings, covenants, terms, conditions, warranties or provisions of all types whether express or implied and whether written or oral.

(b) (Variation) This Agreement or any part of it may be varied, modified, amended, added to or substituted only by a document in writing executed by the parties.

 

Questions?

 If there is anything you don’t understand, then please ask us to clarify! It is important that you know what we will and won’t check so that you are fully informed about the property.

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Once you have read the inspection agreement and fully understand it, please complete the form below.

1. Fill in your first name, last name, email address, phone number and property address
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