Building Warranty Defect Inspection, Find It Before the Builder's Off the Hook
Most builders give you a maintenance period, often somewhere between six and twelve months after handover, sometimes longer for structural items. Once that window closes, fixing a defect becomes your problem, not theirs. A warranty defect inspection, booked with enough time to spare, makes sure nothing slips through before that happens.
Know Which Defects Are Still the Builder's Problem
Builders are required to fix defects within a warranty or maintenance period after your home is handed over. Most states draw a line between structural defects, which usually carry a longer cover period, and general defects, which usually don't. Knowing which category a crack or a settlement issue falls into can be the difference between a free fix and a bill you pay yourself.
Our Chartered Engineers can tell you whether something is structural or cosmetic, on the spot, during the inspection. If it turns out to be more serious than expected, the same visit supports an upgrade to a full engineering report, with no second inspection fee, while you still have time to put it to the builder.
Find it while it's still the builder's job to fix it.
One Inspection, Timed to Beat the Deadline
Building Warranty Defect Inspection (Engineer-Led)
A full inspection of your property timed to land before your builder's maintenance period closes. We check for settlement, cracking, water ingress and finish defects, the kind of issues that often only show up once a home has been lived in for a while, and document anything the builder should still be responsible for fixing.
What We Check Before Your Warranty Runs Out
A full visual assessment structured around four areas.
Settlement & Structural Movement
Cracks, movement or settlement in walls, floors and slabs, assessed by a Chartered Engineer who can tell you whether it's within normal tolerances.
Finishes & Fixtures
Tiling, cabinetry, paintwork and other finish defects that often only become noticeable once a home has been lived in for a while.
Wet Areas & Drainage
Waterproofing, drainage and plumbing-related issues that can develop after handover.
Doors, Windows & Garage
Doors, windows and garage door mechanisms checked for operation, alignment and weatherproofing.
Tiered Upgrades and Add-Ons
Every warranty defect inspection can be extended with the following, individually or combined.
Drone roof video and images, for roofs that are inaccessible, steep, or hold safety risk to inspect on foot.
Engineering-level report, if a structural concern is found, upgrade to a full engineering report from the same visit.
Drawing review, your approved plans checked against what was actually built.
Dispute-ready expert report upgrade, if the builder pushes back, your data is already escalation-ready.
If a Defect Is Found, What Happens Next
Scope
A clear, itemised scope describing exactly what needs to be fixed and why, ready to put to the builder.
Costing
Engineer-prepared estimates so you know what you're asking for, and what it's worth if the builder won't budge.
Procurement
Help sourcing the right trade if you need rectification work done independently of the builder.
Project Management
Oversight through the rectification process, so the fix matches the recommendation.
Verification
A follow-up inspection to confirm the rectification was completed to standard.
Inspect. Report. Protect.
Three steps from booking to a report you can act on.
Inspect
Book online or call 1800 796 776 well before your warranty period ends. A Chartered Engineer is matched to your job with same-week availability.
Report
One thorough site visit, with everything documented clearly enough to put straight to your builder.
Protect
Receive your report with time to spare. If something is structural, upgrade to an engineering report, no second site visit required.
Building Warranty Defect Inspection Pricing
Pricing depends on property size, type and location. All pricing confirmed before booking.
Still mid-build? See New Buildings for stage inspections from footing to handover.
Building Warranty Defect Inspection FAQs
Everything you need to know about getting your home checked before your warranty runs out.
With enough time to spare before your warranty or maintenance period ends, so there's still time to raise anything found with your builder. We generally recommend around the 18 month mark for most builds, but check your building contract for the exact period that applies to you.
Most states give general defects a shorter cover period than structural defects. A defects liability period typically covers things like finishes and fixtures for a shorter window, while structural issues are often covered for longer. The exact periods vary by state, so it's worth checking your contract or your state's building authority.
You'll get a clear, itemised report you can put straight to your builder. If it turns out to be structural, your inspector can escalate to a full engineering report from the same visit, no second inspection fee.
That depends on the defect and your contract, but a clear, engineer-backed report gives you a much stronger position to ask. If the builder disputes it, your inspection data can be escalated to a dispute-ready expert report.
Yes. Renovations and extensions usually carry the same kind of warranty or maintenance period as a new build. Let us know the scope of works when you book so we can tailor the inspection.
Pricing depends on the size and type of property. Contact us with your details and we will put together a quote before you book.