The Australian Property Buyer's Guide to Building Inspections
Everything you need to know before you sign, settle, or negotiate — written in plain English, not builder jargon.
Building inspection reports are written by inspectors for builders. This guide gives you everything you need to understand what you received, know your rights, and negotiate with confidence.
What does a building inspection actually cover?
From roof to subfloor — a plain-English breakdown of every area your inspector checks, what they look for, and what a typical report includes.
How to read your building inspection report
Inspection reports are full of AS standard codes, defect identifiers, and severity ratings. Here is exactly how to decode what your inspector found.
What are AS 4349 standards and why do they matter?
Every Australian building inspection references AS 4349. Here is what these standards actually mean for your property, your rights, and your builder's obligations.
How to negotiate defect rectification with your builder
Step by step — how to raise defects professionally, what to put in writing, how to run a defect review meeting, and how to reach resolution without going to tribunal.
Your warranty rights as a new home buyer in Australia
Australian states each have different warranty periods and builder obligations. Here is what your builder is legally required to fix, for how long, and what happens if they refuse.
What to do if your builder refuses to fix defects
When negotiation fails — your step by step options from a formal written complaint to Fair Trading, NCAT, and VCAT hearings, explained in plain English.
Quick answers to common questions
The questions buyers ask us most often — answered straight.
Got your inspection report?
Let iSpotto translate it into plain English, cost estimates, and a ready-to-send builder letter.