DILAPIDATION REPORT

DILAPIDATION REPORT

We often get asked about Dilapidation reports and exactly what does this mean, what is required and who would need a dilapidation report, the answer is quite straight forward. A dilapidation report is conducted to determine if any demolition or construction work carried out on your property whilst building or renovating causes damage to any surrounding properties.

During the construction stage of your building work there is often the use of heavy machinery required and this construction or perhaps demolition of your property may as a direct result of this may cause some type of damage to nearby properties. Some of explanations for this damage include the removal large amounts of soil, existing slabs or footings and possibly trees and could also be the result of knocking down parts of an existing structure. The damage is often building and demolition work requiring the use of heavy machinery and equipment and despite proper management of the building premises this damage is sometimes unavoidable. Due to the damage, you may need to arrange a couple of special reports to determine the extent of the damage to surrounding buildings. Once these reports have been finalised it often requires serious change to the building site to avoid further damage to adjoining properties.

What is a dilapidation report?

This type of report indicates the condition of a property at a given point in time. A dilapidation report records any existing damage, and records aspects of the adjoining properties that could be affected by the construction, excavation or demolition work. Generally, a dilapidation report is carried out on nearby properties b before work begins, and again once building works are completed. A comparison of the two reports provides the extent of any damage that has occurred as a result of this work. A dilapidation report is undertaken by our experienced building inspectors with many years’ experience in the industry, so they understand what areas of a house or property could be affected by the building site and how this may affect surrounding properties. The dilapidation report will usually include photographs, measurements, and diagrams that help provide an accurate picture of the buildings being inspected. The reports are generally signed by the party having construction work done and the owner of the property being inspected.

Whilst not required by law a dilapidation report helps to protect the site owner from litigation should any of the neighbours claim that your construction or demolition work has damaged their homes. Contact Australian Property Building Inspections in your state to organise your dilapidation report today.