February 13, 2024
Effective Building
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A defect inspection report (also known as a building defect report) is a professional overview of all the defects that need fixing before buying or selling the property. Homebuyers should have a defect inspection report to prevent being saddled with a number of problems that cost a lot to repair and address. Meanwhile, sellers should have a defect inspection report to ensure that the property is in its best condition prior to the finalised sale.

Common Defects in a Defect Inspection Report

Here’s a list of the most common defects found during inspections:

Plumbing – Though toilets aren’t the number one selling features that homebuyers pay attention to, a faulty plumbing system will lead to greater problems later on.
Roofing – Similar to toilets, the roof is not something most homebuyers get to see when viewing a property. However, a bad roof is vulnerable to weather damage.
Pests – A gathering of insects or a rat scurrying around is a big red flag for homebuyers because it means that pests have long taken over the house.

Tips for Addressing the Defects Found in the Report

Before buying or selling a property, you need to have any defects remediated ASAP.

For homebuyers, clearly call out the defects to sellers. Take time-stamped photos as evidence. Insist that sellers repair the defects or cover the cost.
For sellers, fix the defects before putting the property for sale because you will be legally obligated to disclose those defects to homebuyers.
For both homebuyers and sellers, hire a well-known and trusted contractor to address these defects. Don’t aim for quick fixes but lasting solutions.