A building inspection report is the detailed document you receive after your property inspection. It contains photos, defect descriptions, and assessments of every area of the property that was inspected. If you've never read one before, the report can feel overwhelming — pages of technical findings, defect grades, and building terminology. This guide explains how to read and understand your report in plain English, section by section.
What to Expect in Your Report
PinPoint inspection reports are generated using Home Inspector Pro and delivered as a PDF. The length and detail depends on the inspection tier you chose:
- Structural tier: 6+ pages focusing on essential structural elements
- Structural Plus tier: 14+ pages with detailed coverage of all major building elements
- Structural Premium tier: 25+ pages including safety and good working order checks on fixtures and fittings
Every report includes photos of key findings, thermal images where relevant, and defect grading that helps you understand the severity of each issue.
The Key Sections of a Building Inspection Report
1. Summary and Overview
The summary is the most important section for many buyers. It provides a high-level overview of the property's condition, highlights the most significant findings, and identifies any areas requiring urgent attention. Read this first to get an overall picture before diving into the details.
The summary typically includes:
- Property address, type, and approximate age
- Date and weather conditions during inspection
- Overall condition assessment
- Major findings that require immediate attention
- Recommendations for further specialist assessment if needed
2. Scope of Inspection
This section defines what was and wasn't included in the inspection. Building inspections under AS 4349.1 have a defined scope — they cover accessible areas and visible defects. The report will note:
- Areas inspected: Which parts of the property were physically accessed and examined.
- Areas not inspected: Any areas that couldn't be accessed (locked rooms, inaccessible roof spaces, areas concealed by furniture or stored goods). This is important — if an area wasn't accessible, the inspector can't comment on its condition.
- Limitations: Building inspections are non-invasive. Inspectors don't remove wall linings, lift carpet, or disassemble fixtures. The report assesses what can be seen and detected with inspection tools, not what's concealed behind walls or under floors.
3. External Assessment
This section covers the outside of the building:
- Walls: Condition of brickwork, render, cladding, or other external wall materials. Cracks, mortar deterioration, and moisture damage are documented with photos.
- Foundation: Visible foundation elements, including slab edges, footings, and sub-floor areas (if accessible). Signs of movement, cracking, or moisture are noted.
- Roof covering: Condition of tiles, metal sheeting, or other roof materials as viewed from ground level and (where accessible) the roof space. Missing tiles, rust, damaged ridging, and flashing issues are documented.
- Drainage: Site drainage, ground levels around the building, gutters, downpipes, and stormwater connections.
- Outbuildings: Garages, sheds, carports, patios, and pergolas (covered in Structural Plus and Premium tiers).
4. Roof Space Assessment
The roof space inspection is one of the most valuable parts of the report because it reveals issues that aren't visible from inside or outside the house:
- Framing condition: Timber condition, signs of moisture damage, insect activity, or fungal decay.
- Connections: Tie-down straps, bracing, and structural connections that secure the roof to the walls.
- Insulation: Type, condition, and coverage of ceiling insulation (Structural Plus and Premium).
- Ventilation: Adequacy of roof space ventilation.
- Services: Visible plumbing, electrical, and ducting in the roof space.
5. Internal Assessment
Each room is assessed individually, with findings documented by room:
- Walls and ceilings: Cracking, staining, moisture damage, and surface condition.
- Doors and windows: Operation, fit, sealing, and hardware condition (Structural Plus and Premium).
- Wet areas: Bathrooms, ensuites, laundries — particular attention to moisture, tiling, and waterproofing indicators.
- Fixtures and fittings: Operation of power points, lights, switches, fans, and appliances (Structural Premium only).
6. Sub-Floor Assessment (Where Accessible)
If the property has a sub-floor space (suspended floors with access), this section documents:
- Timber condition of bearers, joists, and stumps
- Signs of moisture, termite activity, or fungal decay
- Ventilation adequacy
- Plumbing condition
- Soil clearance to timber elements
7. Timber Pest Section (Combined Reports)
If you booked a combined building and pest inspection, the report includes a timber pest section assessed under AS 4349.3:
- Evidence of active termite infestation
- Evidence of previous termite damage (treated or untreated)
- Evidence of wood borers, including European House Borer where relevant
- Evidence of wood decay (fungal rot)
- Conditions conducive to future termite attack
- Existing termite management systems and their condition
Understanding Defect Grading
Inspection reports grade defects by severity so you can prioritise what needs attention. While exact grading systems vary between report software, the general categories are:
Major Defects
Issues that affect the structural integrity of the building, require significant expenditure to repair, or present a safety hazard. Examples: significant foundation cracking, active termite damage to structural timber, roof framing failure, major waterproofing failure. These items typically need immediate attention and may warrant specialist assessment and repair quotes before you proceed with the purchase.
Minor Defects
Issues that are not structurally significant but require maintenance or repair. Examples: hairline cracking in render, minor paint deterioration, isolated tile damage, small areas of timber decay, minor drainage issues. These are common in established homes and are typically manageable maintenance items you can plan for.
Maintenance Items
Items that represent normal wear and tear or routine maintenance needs. Examples: gutter cleaning required, paint touch-ups needed, minor garden maintenance around the building perimeter. These are expected in any lived-in property and are not defects per se — they're maintenance tasks.
Conducive Conditions
Conditions that don't represent current damage but increase the risk of future problems — particularly pest and moisture issues. Examples: soil banked against external walls, stored timber near the house, blocked sub-floor vents, garden beds concealing the building perimeter. Address these after settlement to reduce ongoing risk.
What to Focus On First
When you receive your report, here's a practical approach to working through it:
- Read the summary first: This gives you the overall picture and highlights the most significant findings.
- Focus on major defects: These are the items that could affect your buying decision or your negotiating position. How many are there? What are the likely repair costs?
- Review the timber pest section: Active termites or significant previous damage is a deal-breaker for some buyers and a negotiation point for others. Conducive conditions are items to address after settlement.
- Note the areas not inspected: If significant areas were inaccessible, consider whether you want to arrange a follow-up inspection once access is available.
- List your questions for the debrief call: PinPoint includes a free post-inspection debrief phone call with every inspection. Use this to ask your inspector about anything in the report that's unclear.
The Debrief Call — Your Most Valuable Resource
A report alone tells you what was found, but the debrief call puts those findings in context. During the call, your inspector will:
- Walk through the major findings and explain their significance
- Explain which defects are common for the property's age and type (and which are unusual)
- Advise on priority items — what needs immediate attention versus what can wait
- Recommend whether specialist assessment is needed for specific findings
- Answer any questions about terminology, defect grades, or the photos in the report
Every PinPoint client receives this debrief call at no extra charge, regardless of which inspection tier they chose. As a provider of 5-star rated building and pest inspections across Perth, we believe the debrief is just as important as the report itself — a report you don't fully understand doesn't help you make a good buying decision.
Common Misunderstandings
"The report found defects — does that mean the house is bad?"
Every property has defects. A new build has construction defects. An established home has wear, maintenance items, and ageing components. The purpose of the inspection isn't to find a perfect property — it's to understand what you're buying so there are no surprises after settlement.
"Should I walk away if major defects are found?"
Not necessarily. Major defects mean you need more information — a specialist quote for the repair cost, an understanding of whether the issue is progressive, and a realistic assessment of what it'll take to fix. Armed with that information, you can make an informed decision: proceed at the current price, negotiate a lower price, request repairs, or withdraw.
"The inspector didn't check inside the walls"
Building inspections under AS 4349.1 are non-invasive — inspectors don't open up walls, lift floors, or remove fixtures. The inspection assesses what can be seen and detected with tools like thermal imaging and moisture meters. If the inspector suspects concealed issues (for example, thermal imaging showing moisture behind a wall), this will be noted in the report with a recommendation for further investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly will I receive my building inspection report?
PinPoint delivers all inspection reports within 24 hours. The report is emailed as a PDF compiled using Home Inspector Pro, and includes photos, thermal images, defect grading, and a clear summary. A free debrief call follows to walk you through the findings.
Can I share the inspection report with my solicitor or conveyancer?
Yes. The report is your document and you can share it with your legal representative, mortgage broker, or anyone else involved in your purchase. Many buyers share the report with their solicitor to discuss whether findings warrant contract renegotiation or withdrawal under an inspection clause.
What if I don't understand something in the report?
That's exactly what the free debrief call is for. Your inspector will walk through the report with you, explain findings in plain English, and answer all your questions. PinPoint also remains available for follow-up questions after the debrief — we want you to fully understand your report, not just receive it.
Can I see a sample building inspection report before I book?
Yes. Visit our sample reports page to download anonymised sample inspection reports. These give you a clear picture of what to expect in terms of report format, detail level, and the type of findings documented at each inspection tier.
Book Your Inspection
Every PinPoint inspection includes a detailed report and a free debrief call to ensure you understand exactly what you're buying.
- Book online: Book Now
- Call us: 0481 575 747 (Mon–Fri 7:30am–5:30pm)
We cover the full Perth metro from Two Rocks to Mandurah.
PinPoint Building & Pest Inspections — Licensed and insured, AS 4349.1 & AS 4349.3 compliant. Over 10,000 inspections completed across our expert team.
