Dilapidation Report Melbourne & Geelong

A dilapidation report is also another name for a property condition survey. It’s an important document that records the existing condition of adjoining property to your proposed construction site in Melbourne, Victoria. This is carried out by an independent dilapidation building inspector.

If your neighbour or council are performing major construction work within one meter of your boundary, it is important to document the condition of your property before works commence.

The reason for this is if the works impact your property such as cracking of walls by way of excavation or vibration you will have proof of the condition of your property before the works commenced which will assist greatly should you need to make a claim. A dilapidation report is an official document that proves that these defects were not present before the construction work commenced.

Depending on the complexity of the construction works, the report will also log the internal conditions of the home as well as the externals.

If you are a builder doing major construction work within one meter of the adjoining neighbour’s property, then you should have a dilapidation report to protect yourself against claims from neighbours and the council.

With councils eager to have builders and developers renew their assets, all too often you can be blamed for damage to council assets which were actually damaged prior to works commencing.

A dilapidation report is particularly useful in protecting yourself against council demands or an owner to repair footpaths and driveways at your cost.

The Home Building Assist dilapidation reports are not overly expensive. In reality it’s a small price to pay to ensure you are protected from people why try to cash in on your work.

The builder should supply this to the owners of the affected works. However as stated above if the builder does not provide a report, you should get one regardless.

Without a dilapidation report it would be hard to prove whether the damage was pre-existing or a result of your building works.

It’s a type of ‘assurance insurance’ we recommend.

If protection works are required on your Melbourne property in order to obtain a building permit, then a dilapidation report should be done prior to works commencing. A clear picture can then be ascertained as to any damage that may have occurred as a result of building, excavation or demolition work.

Unlike a protection work notice, it isn’t mandatory to obtain a dilapidation report. However makes good sense to avoid disputes with neighbours of alleged damage conducted by your construction work in Melbourne.

If you have a complex build in Melbourne then Home Building Assist recommends internal reporting of the structure. Complex builds can include such things as a basement. This will ensure you aren’t blamed for pre-existing damage of surrounding property.

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