Get a home Maintenance Report done at least every two years. This service is designed to help you identify what repairs and/or maintenance work are needed, and in what order. Your home usually is your most valuable asset. Look after it and it will look after you. Our climate is harsh, so your house is deteriorating all the time. It is usually less expensive to maintain then to replace. Read more.

These inspections and reports are to assist owners of homes, home units or townhouses with any need or problems.
Some Appications:
•Maintenance the issue or needs •Issues or problems with neighbours •Addressing any needs of local council or insurance companies •Improvements to the buildings or property The Benefits: independent and professional advice to help solve or resolve any problems.

An inspection and report, based on the needs of advice or problem-solving, or design advice pertaining to the hydraulics aspects of the building which include all running water requirements including drainage.
Some Appications:
•Design requirements of the hydraulics aspects of a building •Problem-solving advice in relation to the hydraulics aspects of a building The Benefits: Professional and specialised hydraulics advice. 

These inspections provide the experience and expertise on-site, in terms of land surveying needs.
Some Applications:
•Plans to accompany Development Applications •Survey Reports for Building Applications •Survey Plans •Marking Boundaries for fencing and construction •Setting out of new buildings •Final surveys of buildings for Council requirements •Surveys reports for buying and selling properties •Solving boundary disputes
The Benefits: Reliable and complying information, being a sure foundation when the needs or determinations of boundaries or set outs are required. Again by engaging the correct expertise, will save you time and money in the future with regard to your need or problem.

An on-site visit, measurement, examination and assessment of how a current home or building has been built, and what would be required in terms of compliance and costs, to rebuild it in a worst-case scenario of complete destruction by fire or natural disaster. Following the on-site visit, calculations are carried out and a report prepared or the replacement costs including new architects and engineers fees, removal of debris, clearing of site and rebuilding to the current standards required in the Building Code of Australia and Australia Standards. Part of the service includes receiving written advice on the replacement costs for the next two years, based on increases in building materials and labour.
Some Applications: To ensure that your home, investment property, commercial property or factory is correctly insured. It is risky to be underinsured or overinsured. In the recent bushfires in Victoria, more than 85% of the properties were underinsured, and therefore payments were significantly less than the replacement costs.
The Benefits: Firstly, the peace of mind in knowing that in a worst-case scenario your property has been insured at the correct replacement value. Secondly, by obtaining this independent and professional valuation, the insurance companies are more likely to quickly accept and pay out the replacement value, that you can commence rebuilding. Thirdly, you will receive for the next two years updated replacement values based on historic increases in building materials and labour, to in turn advise your insurance company of the values to be insured for the each of the next two years.

A site visit and a thorough examination of the location where dampness or damage presents itself to determine the causes of the leaking shower and to recommend how it is best fixed.
Some Applications: Often leaking showers occur in new construction or newly renovated bathrooms. In such cases it is important to get an independent report to then be in a strong position to take the problem up with the builder or tradesmen. These problems are often caused by poor workmanship, poor choice of waterproofing products or membranes or lack of care from one trade to the next, namely when the tiler takes over after waterproofing. Problems with leaking showers can also be caused by insufficient for in the floor and tiling, and lack of compliance for the Australian Standard and recommendation. It is also common for an existing shower to develop leaks.
The Benefits: By obtaining a professional and independent report, you are in a strong position to take up the problem with the building company or tradesmen in the case of a new or renovated bathroom. It is important to have any problems addressed as soon as possible to not only avoid damage but to also ensure that this work is carried out within the Home Warranty period. For an existing bathroom when the shower shows evidence of leaking, with the report and advice as to how to rectify the problem is extremely helpful because it is important to receive advice as to the cause and also how to best fix the problem.

A preoccupation inspection of the property to be leased, be it a home, home unit or commercial premises, recording the condition of the premises such as the condition of the floors and lighting , existing damage or unsecured fixtures, including photographic records. An inspection on leaving the property records similar aspects of the leased premises.
Some Applications: Before taking occupancy, it is ideal to have an inspection carried out clearly noting and documenting the condition of the premises, particularly as you will no doubt be asked to pay Bond Money, which will only be returned when the premises have been inspected by the landlord or the managing agent, and the cost of rectifying any damage, with the exception of reasonable to wear and tear, can be asked if they paid for by the tenant who is leaving or can be deducted from the Bond Money.
The Benefits: You can be unfairly out-of-pocket if you have no proof of the condition of the property prior to occupancy. It is your word against their word. This inspection provides independent and thorough proof.

A meeting with legal representation to go through the action taken against you, to advise you of your position and to assist in responding or defending such action.
Some Applications: Breach of a Building Contract. Payment issues. Leasing issues. Property acquisition issues. Sale of property issues. Building contract issues. Land and Environment Court matters. Mortgage matters.
The Benefits: By engaging legal representation specialising in building and associated matters, you will be securing the support and legal representation from experienced experts in this aspect of commerce and law.

A meeting with legal representation to pursue matters where the performance of the other party or parties in the Contract, including lack of standard of workmanship, has not able to be properly rectified and the assistance of legal representation is now required. Such a meeting and ongoing service will advise you of your position and to assist in preparing official correspondence or initiating legal action through the appropriate tribunal is all courts.
Some Applications: Breach of a Building Contract. Payment issues. Leasing issues. Property acquisition issues. Sale of property issues. Building contract issues. Land and Environment Court matters.
The Benefits: By engaging legal representation specialising in building and associated matters, you will be securing the support and legal representation from experienced experts in this aspect of commerce and law.

Protection through your Building Contract is vital. If your interests are not protected, they can be very expensive and problematic to enforce. If you are seriously considering selecting the design of a Project Builder, obtain a copy of their Building Contract and have it checked by an expert in law and building. Read more. 

The benefits of obtaining a Maintenance Inspection and Report lie in its ability to identify areas of the home that need attention by way of repairs, painting or upgrading. All areas of the home can be inspected including the roof, exterior walls, foundations and internal rooms.
Have the inspection and report 'tailor made' to suit your needs. You may just need a solution to a maintenance problem or, you may require a full maintenance plan in order to keep that valuable asset in good repair. This service is of particular value to the busy career person on the run, or maybe the elderly or disabled who just need that extra support to maintain the home.
After visually inspecting and carefully assessing the condition of your home, our qualified Building Consultant will provide a written report detailing the condition of your property, appropriate repairs and then prioritise the order in which the repairs should be undertaken. An estimate of costs for suggested repairs can also be provided as an optional extra.

Maintenance Inspections for a Strata Building could be to identify the cause of a maintenance issue or to establish the required 10 year Sinking Fund Plan.
Generally, maintenance issues on a Strata Building are usually attended to once problems become evident. Examples being, leaking pipes, broken glass or other services issues. These ongoing issues are generally reported to the Managing Agent and attended to immediately. However, other issues such as areas of damp, leaking roof membranes, ingress of water, cracking or movement issues need to be investigated and resolved.
The Building Centre Network can refer you to the appropriate Qualified Building Consultant/Inspector who will investigate and provide solutions. If necessary, a licensed Structural Engineer from our network of Consultants can also be engaged to investigate cracking/movement problems and its cause(s). All inspection results are documented in a typed report, which details the problem and identifies the cause of the problem. The report will also document remedial repairs if required.
Maintenance Plans for the 10 year Sinking Fund
From July 2009, all strata schemes are required by law to have a 10-year sinking fund plan in place. (Section 75A of the Strata Schemes Management Act 1996). Owners Corporations can put the plan together themselves or engage outside experts to do this for them.
Depending on the size and nature of the Strata Building or Complex, most times specialist expertise is required to identify and list all the common property and estimate when the various listed items will require replacing, repairing or painting plus the estimated cost. The estimated cost for the 10-year Maintenance Plan will be divided by the total number of unit entitlements. Each member of the Owner's Corporation or Strata Scheme will be advised as to the amount levied and how often payment is required. These levied funds are held in the sinking fund.

A process where an independent expert mutually agreed by the two parties, will listen to the two sides or cases of a dispute or stand-off, and attempt to resolve the problem to avoid stressful, lengthy and costly process is of pursuing the matter in a court or tribunal. Sometimes the parties agree that they will accept the decision of the Mediator. On other occasions the agreement is that the Mediator will do their best to find a resolution to the impasse or problem.
Some Applications: Poor workmanship or standards of construction. Overruns in time and costs of building projects. Delays in payments. Additional costs being claimed. Damage to goods or property.
The Benefits: By involving a mediator, you are exploring the possibilities to resolve the problem and all disputes thus avoiding the time, stress and costs of pursuing the matter through full legal action and representation in the Tribunal Court, the latter avenues of which do not guarantee an outcome despite how strongly you feel you are right or your case might be.

An on-site inspection using moisture detection meters and if necessary other technologies to probe the areas of moisture. On identifying the causes they are presented in a report together with recommended rectification sieges.
Some Applications: Dampness appearing in walls, ceilings and floors.
The Benefits: Where moisture presents itself is easy to establish, the difficulty is the source and cause, as well is how to remedy and rectify the problem. Such inspections will assist you in eliminating the moisture problem.

Mould is a living organism, a type of fungus that grows from minute spores that become airborne infiltrating your home. Mould smells, discolours paintwork, blackens tiling grout, ruins clothing, shoes and bags and is generally a nuisance. Some are useful to us but others are potentially toxic and harmful to our health. If toxic moulds develop indoors, not only will they damage the home but persons living in that environment could experience serious health problems.
This can damage walls, ceilings and woodwork to the extent that require replacing. Causes of the mould infestation could be due to leaking roofs, showers or water pipes. The Building Centre Network through our network of Consultants and Building Inspectors would be pleased to organise an inspector to visit your home to assist in identifying the cause of the infestation of mould and provide rectification options.

A thorough independent inspection by an experienced consultant of a newly constructed home, all major renovation, looking for building defects or problems, noting them and preparing a report. The report will also recommend the correct way to fix such defects.
Some Applications: New homes, including project homes, at least six months prior to the expiry of the Home Warranty period. Major extension or renovation works carried out under contract with a licensed builder. The construction of swimming pools.
The Benefits: Defects or defective workmanship will be picked up and recorded in the report, thus significantly enhancing your chances of having the builder rectify these problems prior to the expiry of the Home Warranty period. If the builder refuses to carry out this work, or to give you a written undertaking as to when and how it will be carried out, this report can be used in the appropriate tribunal system in the State in which you live. Such inspections usually pick up more defects than those perhaps noted by the homeowner.

On-site advice in consultation with any plans or specifications, to then receive a written report with recommendations and specification of how to properly size and construct stormwater containment and water transportation systems.
Some Applications: New homes or buildings. Existing homes where problems have developed. Compliance with local council or water authority requirements, or are contained within the building code of Australia or Australian Standards.
The Benefits: Professional and reliable advice and assistance, in what are usually difficult underground potential problem areas. By having stormwater management properly addressed, you minimise the risk of damage caused by flooding.

A mandatory thorough inspection and report of the owner builder works carried out by an approved Inspector acceptable to insurance companies, when owner builders are selling their property in NSW, VIC or WA, within a stipulated period after the date of the issuing of the Occupancy or completion Certificate by the local Council under whose jurisdiction the owner building works were carried out.
Some Applications: When an owner builder in NSW, VIC or WA decides to sell their home within the defined specified period of each state.
The Benefits: By obtaining this Owner Builder Home Warranty Defects Report, you will be able to secure the mandatory Owner Builder Home Warranty Insurance that is required before you sell. Fines apply if the insurance is not in possession when selling. The insurance needs to form part of your selling Contract. The Report will note any defects, however you are in a position to have these defects remedied, and a follow-up inspection carried out to present your property defects free. This insurance does not free you of the responsibility for any subsequent defects which may arise during the remainder of the defects period.  

This service is aimed to examine the quality and standard of your owner built project at the final completion stage ONLY. This is sometimes required by a local Council before a Practical Completion or Occupancy Certificate will be issued. Check with your local Council. It may also be desirous to have this inspection for peace of mind and to correct any obvious problems or mistakes, bearing in mind the inspection is limited to where physical and visual access is possible.

This service is primarily geared towards helping owner builders who are experiencing difficulty with their project and require professional and prompt assistance. Our experienced building inspectors will conduct a thorough diagnosis of the problem and report on the best way to help you with your project. Advice on any quality of workmanship issues or disputes with a builder or tradesmen will be provided in an effort to resolve any issues. Guidelines with regard to any required costings or necessary trades will be provided on request.

This service is designed to provide Owner Builders with professional guidance. It's aim is to help owner builders maintain their project in running smoothly and that workmanship is in accordance with the Building Code of Australia regulations. Our experienced inspectors will monitor the progress of the project via regular site visits to assess the quality of building work at each critical stage of your project. We offer these inspections individually or with special package of three inspections where possible by the same inspector to maintain knowledge and continuity, to assist you when you feel you will need it most. Choose from the following stages:

Stage 1: Pre Foundation Stage - Checking the preparation of the foundations just prior to the pouring of concrete footings or concrete slab, or where footings have been built.

Stage 2: Base - This inspection is after the concrete slab has been poured, external walls constructed and when the marking up of internal walls has been completed, or for non-concrete step structures when the ground floor structure has been built or external walls have been constructed.

Stage 3: Frames - Checking the installation of the wall and roof frames, to ensure that good materials have been used, and they are straight, that good workmanship has taken place and they are compliant with the appropriate Australian Standard.

Stage 4: Pre Lock up Stage - This inspection will assess the quality of brickwork, cavity, flashing and provision of weep holes in any brick walls, and the roof tiling or sheeting. In the case of double brick walls, they will check and confirm that the wall cavities clean and that the weep holes correctly positioned and left clean as required by the Standard. They will also inspect the placement of flashing's and tying of brickwork to the frame.

Stage 5: Lock up Stage - This inspection checks the completion of all external walls and external features, as well as the installation of doors and windows.

Stage 6: Services, pre internal linings - This vital inspection must take place when visible access is still available to check the plumbing and electrical work is a complete and any wall thermal or acoustic installation is in place.

Stage 7: Fixing, fit out and pre-painting - This inspection will check all interior work on completion but prior to painting. It will include the installation of fixtures and fittings.

Stage 8: Final Completion - This inspection will scrutinise the finishes, fittings and accessories. In addition, they will confirm the completion, or otherwise, of the overall project.