How to Read Your Building Inspection Report — and What to Do With It

The Structure of Your Report

A VG Inspect report is structured in two main sections: the condition report and the builder's action list.

The condition report documents every defect found, organised by category — termite, slab, frame, roof, brickwork, walls, plumbing, electrical and so on. Each defect entry includes a description of what was found, the location within the property, a photograph, and the specific QBCC Standards and Tolerances clause or NCC section that has been breached.

The builder's action list is a numbered table that summarises every defect requiring rectification in a format designed to be handed directly to your builder or site supervisor. Each item is numbered, categorised, located and described with the required action.

Understanding the Standard References

Every defect in your report references the standard it breaches. Common references include:

QBCC S&T [Section].[Clause] — the QBCC Standards and Tolerances Guide for Building Construction Work. This is the primary reference for residential construction standards in Queensland.

NCC [Section] or BCA [Section] — the National Construction Code (formerly the Building Code of Australia). This is the primary building regulation reference for all construction in Australia.

AS[Number] — an Australian Standard. Common references include AS1684.2 (residential timber framing), AS3740 (waterproofing of wet areas), AS3660.1 (termite management) and AS2870 (residential slabs and footings).

These references are not decorative. They are the specific regulatory basis for requiring your builder to rectify each defect. A defect listed as non-compliant with QBCC S&T 9.2 is a defect that the QBCC defines as non-compliant — not an opinion.

Presenting the Report to Your Builder

Send your report to your builder via email, addressed to your site supervisor and a company representative. Your email should:

State that you have had an independent inspection conducted, attach the report, formally request rectification of all items in the builder's action list and specify a reasonable response timeframe — typically 10 to 14 business days.

Keep the email professional and factual. The report does the work of establishing the basis for each defect. Your covering email doesn't need to argue the case — it just needs to formally present the report and request rectification.

What to Do If Your Builder Disputes Items

If your builder disputes specific items in your report, ask them to provide the specific QBCC Standards and Tolerances clause or measurement that supports their position that the item is within tolerance.

If they can provide this — if the item is genuinely within tolerance as defined by the QBCC — then it is. The standards work both ways.

If they can't — if they're disputing the item without a specific regulatory basis — you have the documented basis to maintain your rectification request. Contact VG Inspect if you need clarification on any specific item and we will provide the measurement data and standard reference that supports the finding.

After Rectification — Follow Up

When your builder advises that defects have been rectified, inspect the rectification yourself before signing off. For major defects — waterproofing, drainage, structural items — consider booking a follow-up VG Inspect assessment to confirm the rectification meets the applicable standards.

Do not accept verbal confirmation that defects have been fixed. Get written confirmation and, for significant items, physical verification.

Keep Your Report

Your VG Inspect report is a permanent record of your home's condition at the time of inspection. Keep it. If defects recur or new defects appear that relate to issues identified in the original report, the original report is evidence that the builder was on notice.

For warranty claims, QBCC dispute resolution and any legal proceedings, your report is the foundational document. Store it securely along with all correspondence with your builder.