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Definitions

Building consultants carry out a varied number of tasks, varying in size and type. The following definitions are some of those that are carried out on a regular basis and it is important that the building consultant used are familiar, trained, accredited and certified in these areas.

- Pre-purchase Inspections - residential, commercial & industrial properties
- Expert Witness - Various Jurisdictions
- Adjudication
- Strata Work and Special Titles (Owners Corporation)

- Sinking Fund Forecast

- Defects Report
- Insurance Assessment
- Dilapidation Report
- Progress Report
- Energy Assessment - Nathers Accredited, Efficiency
- Contract Administration
- Private Certification - Building Approvals
- Heritage Assessment
- Accessibility Assessments and Audits
- Asbestos Audit

- Bush fire Protection Audit

- Specialist Trade/Professional Consultant



Pre-purchase Inspections- residential, commercial & industrial properties
The inspection of a residential building of any age for the purpose of Identifying current defects with consideration to Australian Standard AS 4349.1-2007 and inspection of new buildings bought off the plan prior to settlement. It does not include the inspection of the common property in strata development. Some state require that the building consultant carrying out this type of work are licensed or registered.

  Pro-action would be to get an inspection before placing the property on the market, so there are no surprises. Commercial & Industrial Inspections are also important to be carried out as it would only be sensible to know what you are buying.

Expert Witness - Various Jurisdictions
Giving written evidence and preparing reports that may at some stage be used as evidence for litigation purpose in any jurisdiction. Expert is required to comply with the "Expert Code of Conduct" that is relevant in the particular jurisdiction.

Adjudication
Person having undertaken recognised training to act as adjudicators as prescribed by the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 1999 (NSW)

Strata Work and Special Titles (Owners Corporation)
Work for body corporate. The actual work can come under the categories listed

Sinking Fund Forecast

Comply with the State and territory requirements and a establish a suitable plan will help to:

Better manage cash flow, remove those nasty surprises for potential purchasers, improve the property value, Ensure levies are fully tax deductible* in the year that they’re incurred and help to identify and deal with those problems that may occur when they should be.

Defects Report
Inspecting and reporting on defective building work, principally in new building work. In this situation the consultant may become an expert witness.
Defects reports may also be carried out on old buildings in need of repair and become a scope of works. The consultant's role is similar to a pre-purchase inspection.

Insurance Assessment - Home Warranty and General Home Building Insurance.
Reports for claims assessment for the homeowner or the insurer (consider expert witness category).
Scope of works for rectification of damage to buildings.

Dilapidation Report
A condition report of buildings adjacent to a construction site prior to the commencement of construction, often a Council condition of approval. Usually done as a photographic record of the structure. Councils, require suitably qualified people, and may not accept a building consultant.  It is a recommendation to all interests who carry out building works, such as the developer, building contractor and even the owners to alleviate the possible later claims.

Those who undertake lease of a residential, commercial or industrial property should also consider that there may be a claim against them for damage at the end of the lease period that may be not be due to the action of the tenant and may have been present at the commencement of the lease period. Inspection and report can only assist in the original negotiations and lease termination period.

Progress Report
Inspections and reports at various stages of construction.

Energy Assessment - Nathers Accredited, Efficiency
Environmental assessment and ratings of buildings for Council approval. The consultant must have relevant Nathers accreditation.

Contract Administration
Advice and information on contracts prior to signing, acting on a party's behalf during the course of the construction and during the process of conducting site meetings.

Private Certification - Building Approvals
Approval of building plans, certification of various stages of building work, putting together all documentation for the final approval of the building.
Private certifiers are accredited under an accreditation scheme administered by the Institute of Engineers or the Allied Professions Board.

Heritage Assessment
Classification of heritage buildings, advice on construction methods and materials.

Accessibility Assessments and Audits
Advice on accessibility of buildings for people with special needs and "housing for life". Understanding of Division D3 of the Building Code of Australia and AS 1428 - Design for Access and Mobility and AS 4299 - Adaptable Housing.

Asbestos Audit
The inspection that you should and or must have before you purchase the property or are about to renovate. Be careful of Asbestos: Before any renovations begin, some councils require an asbestos inspection. If you think you have asbestos, it’s best to call in a expert to assess and supply the correct information, handling and removal procedure.

Bush fire Protection Audit

A performance audit of the implementation of bush fire risk management plans generally in the States and Territories for a specified rural fire district or other part of the State

As required by the individual states and territories regulations.

Specialist Trade/Professional Consultant

Consultant such as waterproofing, painting, tiling (roof and wall & floor) sound, thermal insulation, electrical, plumbing, structural/electrical/mechanical/hydraulic Engineering plus Others