Building defects are common, and property owners need to have a thorough understanding of the conditions of their assets. Causes of building defects range from the use of non-compliant building products, poor building practices, wear and tear, and the employment of non-skilled workers to build the structure.

As a property owner, it becomes your responsibility to fix your defects to ensure your property is safe for use and is legally compliant. To achieve the above, here are the necessary steps you can take with the help of your property compliance inspection specialist.

Building Defects Report

Engaging in a building defects report is the first step you can take to establish your property’s safety. It’s important to obtain detailed data on the property’s condition to enable you to make decisions on the next steps. It also helps with scheduling the maintenance/fixing routine and budgeting how much to spend working on the defects.

A building defects report comprises details on the entire property. The report includes pictures of the current state of the property. Additionally, this report is regularly updated to capture the most current state of the building. A qualified inspector carries out the assessment, writes the report, and then advises on what steps should be taken.

Risk Assessment

After conducting and documenting the assessment in the report, it is crucial to consider the risks of leaving the property in its current condition. This risk assessment evaluates potential health, security, legal, and financial concerns. In some cases, property management companies may rely on untrained staff to assess risks related to building defects. However, without a background in construction, unqualified inspectors can overlook early warning signs of serious issues—leading to costly major repairs and potential legal expenses down the line.

Emergency Management Plans

The results of the assessment and risk report play a crucial role in determining the next steps for the property. In some cases, severe structural defects may be identified. They may require an immediate emergency management plan where the owner collaborates with the building compliance service overseeing the project to develop an effective response. At QBM, we employ strategic planning to ensure well-informed and proactive decision-making in such situations.

What is Strategic Planning?

Property owners plan carefully to make the most out of their property without spending excessively. The process aims to prioritise the order in which repairs will be carried out and determines which ones can be delayed to cut costs. Strategic planning requires answering questions about how long the property will be in use, its current condition, the risks associated, the future benefits of the building, and the value that maintaining it will add.

Property Insurance

After completing the steps above, you will be ready to start working on the necessary repairs. Now is the time to get your insurance rolling. If you are insured, you will be required to disclose the defects, issues, and maintenance plans to your insurance company. You can provide them with the building defects report to ease this process. For uninsured properties, different insurance variations are available, and with the help of your compliance inspection specialist, you can decide which one to go with.

Bottom Line

Property maintenance can be straightforward and budget-friendly when working with a well-experienced building compliance services provider who can give you access to quality Brisbane building defects reports. Furthermore, by adequately documenting what needs to be done, you will also be able to provide other parties with information about the current state of the property.

Call QBM today to speak to one of our professionals about your property and its safety.