Pre-purchase building inspection report template (free download)
Most buyers read the first page of a pre-purchase building report and stop. That page has to say clearly whether there are major defects, safety hazards or areas the inspector could not get to, and how the building compares with others of its age.
This template puts that summary first and the evidence after it, area by area. The structure follows AS 4349.1, which classifies defects as major defects, minor defects and safety hazards, and expects the report to state what could not be inspected.
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Pre-purchase building inspection report
A residential pre-purchase report with the summary buyers read first, then site, exterior, roof, subfloor and interior findings.
1. Inspection details
2. Summary of findings
3. Accessibility and limitations
| Area | Inspected? | Restriction / reason |
|---|---|---|
4. Findings by area
| Area | Element | Defect description | Major / minor / safety | Photo ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5. Recommendations
- Timber pest inspection Yes No N/A
- Licensed electrician Yes No N/A
- Licensed plumber Yes No N/A
- Structural engineer Yes No N/A
- Roofing contractor Yes No N/A
What the pre-purchase building inspection report covers, section by section
1. Inspection details
The client, the property, the inspection agreement and the conditions on the day.
Fields to capture: Client name; Property address; Date and time of inspection; Weather conditions; Building type, age and construction; Inspection agreement reference.
2. Summary of findings
What the buyer needs before reading further.
Fields to capture: Major defects found?; Safety hazards found?; Minor defects (overall extent); Overall condition compared with similar buildings of similar age; Summary comments.
3. Accessibility and limitations
Areas inspected, areas not inspected and why. A roof space too low to enter is a finding the buyer needs to see.
Fields to capture: a register with columns: Area, Inspected?, Restriction / reason.
4. Findings by area
Work through site, exterior, roof exterior, roof space, subfloor and interior in the same order every time. Each defect gets an element, a description, a classification and a photo.
Fields to capture: a register with columns: Area, Element, Defect description, Major / minor / safety, Photo ref.
5. Recommendations
Further specialist inspections and the repairs to price before exchange.
Fields to capture: Other recommendations; Inspector name / licence / date; Timber pest inspection; Licensed electrician; Licensed plumber; Structural engineer; Roofing contractor.
Tips from the field
- Write the summary last but put it first. Buyers and their solicitors read page one.
- Classify every defect. An unclassified defect leaves the buyer guessing whether it matters.
- Photograph each defect with a wider context shot so the location is obvious.
- Note when a defect is outside the scope of a visual inspection (for example concealed plumbing) and recommend the right specialist instead of speculating.
Standards referenced
- AS 4349.1: inspection of buildings: pre-purchase inspections of residential buildings.
Check the current edition and your state or territory’s requirements; this template is a starting point, not a substitute for the standard.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a pre-purchase building inspection report?
A summary of major defects, minor defects and safety hazards, the areas inspected and not inspected, findings for the site, exterior, roof, roof space, subfloor and interior, the building’s overall condition relative to similar buildings of similar age, and recommendations for further inspections.
Which standard applies to pre-purchase building inspections?
In Australia, pre-purchase inspections of residential buildings are covered by AS 4349.1. Timber pest inspections are a separate standard, AS 4349.3, which is why they are often a separate report.
What is the difference between a major and a minor defect?
A major defect is significant enough that it should be rectified to avoid unsafe conditions, loss of use or further deterioration. A minor defect is the kind of wear and maintenance item expected in a building of that age. Safety hazards are recorded separately.
Can I write this report on site from my phone?
The download is a Word document. In SurveyThanks you capture each finding on the device with photos, and the building inspection report is generated from your own Word template.
Fill this in on your phone and generate the report automatically
Build these sections as a SurveyThanks form, capture photos and answers on site, and the finished report renders into your own Word template.