Use plain language such as “crack above window”, “damp subfloor” or “loose balustrade”. Avoid assuming the cause.
Building defect search assistant
Building Defect Search Assistant: understand before you act.
Search common building and timber pest observations to review possible reporting categories, why the condition may matter and an appropriate next step.
Try:
Important: similar symptoms can have different causes and levels of significance. Do not use these general results to decide whether a property is structurally adequate, compliant or free from concealed defects.
Search results
Common defect guidance
How to use the information
From general guidance to a property-specific decision.
The assistant helps explain terminology. It does not replace an inspection of the property.
Read the categories as guidance only. The actual classification requires assessment of the individual property and the observed consequences.
Use the proportionate recommendation: repair, maintenance, monitoring or assessment by a suitably qualified specialist where warranted.
Inspection limitations
What this assistant and an inspection cannot establish.
A pre-purchase inspection is a visual assessment of reasonably accessible areas at the time of inspection.
No concealed-condition assessment
Wall, ceiling and floor linings are not removed. Concealed framing, membranes, services and inaccessible areas cannot be assessed.
No engineering assessment
The tool and inspection do not provide engineering calculations, structural design verification or certification of structural adequacy.
No compliance audit
Building approvals, code compliance, permits, certificates and regulatory requirements require separate property-specific enquiries.
No warranty or prediction
Results do not guarantee the absence of defects or timber pests and do not predict future condition, performance or deterioration.
Frequently asked questions
Using the defect assistant.
Does the assistant diagnose the cause of a defect?
No. It explains common observable conditions and possible reporting categories. Determining the likely cause requires property-specific inspection and may require specialist assessment.
Can the assistant determine whether cracking is structural?
No. Crack width alone does not determine significance. Location, pattern, displacement, associated movement, building type and other observable evidence must be considered. Engineering assessment may be required where the evidence warrants it.
Does a result confirm that a property is compliant?
No. The assistant is not a compliance audit and does not verify approvals, certification, building code compliance or regulatory requirements.
What should I do if the issue is not listed?
Arrange an inspection or seek advice from an appropriately qualified specialist. Do not ignore active water entry, unstable components, suspected electrical hazards, active termites or other conditions presenting an immediate risk.
Need the condition assessed at the property?
Request an independent building and timber pest inspection from Premise Inspections.