Building and timber pest services
Terms supporting a clear and proportionate visual inspection.
These terms apply to building inspections, timber pest inspections and combined building and timber pest inspections undertaken by Premise Inspections unless a written quotation or agreement states otherwise.
Handover or practical completion inspections, where offered, are governed by the scope and limitations stated in the accepted quotation or service agreement and are not represented as certification of construction work or regulatory compliance.
1. Agreement and inspection purpose
The client engages Premise Inspections for the service stated in the accepted quotation or booking confirmation. The purpose is to identify and report significant observable defects, safety hazards, maintenance concerns, timber pest evidence and relevant conducive conditions within the agreed scope.
The service is not an engineering assessment, statutory inspection, certification, valuation, compliance audit, warranty, guarantee or prediction of future condition.
2. Applicable inspection approach
Residential pre-purchase building inspections are undertaken consistently with the intent of AS 4349.1 and timber pest inspections consistently with the intent of AS 4349.3, subject to the agreed service, property type, access and these terms. General inspection principles are applied consistently with AS 4349.0.
References to standards describe the inspection approach and do not convert the service into certification of building work or legal compliance.
3. Visual and non-invasive scope
- Only reasonably accessible areas are inspected.
- No cutting, drilling, dismantling, excavation, lifting of fixed finishes, removal of linings or destructive testing is undertaken.
- Furniture, stored goods, floor coverings, insulation, vegetation and other obstructions are not moved unless safe, minor and expressly agreed.
- Roof exteriors, roof spaces, subfloors and other areas are inspected only where access and conditions are considered safe and reasonable.
- Weather, occupancy, security, height, fragile materials, animals, services and work health and safety risks may restrict inspection.
4. Access limitations
The inspector determines safe and reasonable access at the time of inspection. Roof void and subfloor observations are generally limited to what is visible from the access opening and its immediately accessible vicinity. The inspector will not crawl through roof voids or beneath structures, enter confined spaces or traverse inaccessible roof framing.
Premise Inspections' practical minimum subfloor clearance is 1 metre (1,000 mm), measured vertically to the bearer, joist or other obstruction. Meeting this dimension does not require the inspector to enter an area; actual access remains subject to the conditions and safety assessment on the day.
These are Premise Inspections’ practical access criteria, not a quotation from AS 4349.3. Dimensions are a guide and do not establish that an area is safe or accessible.
The inspector will not dismantle building components, disturb insulation or services, move stored goods or personal possessions, or use specialised access equipment to reach concealed areas. Material access restrictions are recorded in the report. Further inspection may be recommended where the observed evidence or access restriction warrants it.
5. Building inspection exclusions
- Building approvals, permits, certificates, regulatory compliance and the approval status of renovations, additions or repairs.
- Property boundaries, encroachments, easements, title restrictions and surveying matters.
- Structural engineering design, calculations, capacity or certification.
- Electrical, plumbing, drainage, sewerage, stormwater, hydraulic, gas, solar, communications, security, mechanical and fire-safety systems beyond readily visible observations.
- Waterproofing membranes, concealed moisture protection and other concealed construction.
- Pools, spas, pool barriers and pool safety certification.
- Appliances, plant, equipment, air conditioning, fireplaces, flues and chimneys.
- Hazardous materials including asbestos and lead; mould testing; indoor air quality; contamination; geotechnical conditions; flood or landslip modelling; and environmental testing.
- Future performance, remaining service life, repair cost, market value, insurability and legal interpretation.
6. Timber pest inspection scope and limits
The timber pest component reports accessible visual evidence of subterranean termites, termite damage, timber borers, fungal decay and relevant conducive conditions within the agreed scope.
The inspection is not a treatment proposal and does not guarantee that timber pests or damage are absent. Activity and damage may be concealed. A termite management system may be bridged, defective, expired, inaccessible or otherwise ineffective without this being visually apparent.
7. Tools and screening methods
Moisture meters, thermal imaging, sounding, tapping, probing and other non-invasive tools may be used where appropriate. Results are screening evidence and require interpretation with other observations.
Thermal patterns and comparative moisture readings do not independently prove termites, leaks, waterproofing failure or concealed damage and do not identify source or extent.
8. Defect classification
Findings may be classified as Major Defect, Minor Defect, Safety Hazard, Maintenance Item, Condition Conducive to Deterioration, Condition Conducive to Timber Pest Attack, or Further Investigation Required and repair recommended.
Classification reflects observable evidence, apparent significance and the inspection scope at that time. Photographs illustrate selected conditions and are not a complete record of every defect.
9. Client and property responsibilities
- Provide the correct property address, service required and relevant known information.
- Arrange lawful, timely and safe access to the agreed areas.
- Disclose known hazards, access restrictions, active infestations, disputes and significant prior reports or repairs.
- Obtain seller, occupier, body corporate or other authority required for access and operation of accessible fixtures.
- Complete recommended specialist checks before a contractual deadline where the result may affect the purchase decision.
10. Report use and reliance
The report is prepared for the named client for the stated purpose and inspection date. It should not be altered, selectively quoted or relied on without the complete report, photographs, scope, limitations and recommendations.
A later recipient should not rely on the report unless Premise Inspections agrees in writing. Site conditions can change after inspection. Verbal comments are supplementary; the written report prevails.
11. Fees, cancellation and report release
The fee, payment timing, cancellation arrangements and delivery target stated in the accepted quotation, invoice or booking confirmation apply. Additional services, reinspection or materially different property information may require a revised fee.
A quoted delivery period begins after the inspection and is subject to access, payment, information availability and events beyond reasonable control.
12. Concerns and Australian Consumer Law
The client should notify Premise Inspections promptly in writing if concerned about the service or report and, where reasonably possible, allow an opportunity to inspect the relevant condition before alteration or repair.
Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable law.
13. Governing law and severability
These terms are governed by Queensland law. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, it is read down or severed to the minimum extent necessary without affecting the remaining provisions.
A specific written agreement signed or accepted for the service prevails to the extent of an inconsistency with these website terms.
