Building Condition / Dilapidation Report

What Is a Dilapidation Report

A dilapidation report in Sydney is a ‘snapshot’ of the existing condition of dwellings that are adjacent to or near new proposed building works, infrastructure projects, or excavations. 

Excavation and heavy earthworks can cause vibrations, movement, or ground subsidence, which may damage neighbouring houses, causing building cracking or other structural damage. Accidental damage to roads and pathways is also possible with the movement of materials and equipment, like diggers or trucks.

Why Dilapidation Reports Are Important

Normally, builders or project managers are responsible for arranging a dilapidation report on neighbouring properties before commencing building or excavation. However, many new developments do not conduct adequate reports, leaving neighbours uncertain of their rights. Below are some of the benefits of a dilapidation report:

Avoiding fights about damage: If someone is doing construction or knocking something down next door, things like cracks, vibrations, or leaks might happen in nearby houses. If you don’t have proof of what things looked like before, you can’t tell whether the damage was caused by the work or was already there. A dilapidation report acts like a “before” photo, it shows exactly how things were, so later you can compare.

Evidence for legal or insurance help: If damage does happen, you can use a dilapidation report in court or with insurance companies. It shows what the property looked like before, which helps figure out who is responsible. For homeowners, builders, or developers, it protects you against false claims. Insurance often needs something like this to approve or speed up claims.

Safeguarding property value: If damage from neighbouring work is caught early and dealt with, the property tends to stay in better shape and maintain its value. When buyers or investors see that damage is documented and addressed, it builds trust. If small damage goes unnoticed, it can become worse or reduce how much someone will pay for the property.

Peace of mind for everyone: For homeowners and neighbours, knowing exactly what condition their house and surroundings are in before work starts reduces worry. For builders or developers, having a clear, independent record helps prevent arguments and misunderstandings later.

Managing and reducing risk: If you know beforehand which parts of a building are weak or might be affected by construction, vibrations, shifting earth, etc., then the builders can plan better. They might avoid doing certain work near those areas, reinforce them, or choose less risky methods. This helps limit damage before it happens.

Who Should Get a Dilapidation Report

The builder, developer, or project manager should have dilapidation reports carried out before the commencement of any work to protect themselves against possible litigation.

Alternatively, if you are aware that major building works or a government infrastructure project is commencing near your house and a dilapidation report has not been carried out, you should protect yourself and have one independently arranged as soon as possible.

What Our Dilapidation Reports Include

Our dilapidation reports provide a detailed record of the current condition of a property before any nearby construction or related works begin. They cover both inside and outside the property, and also include structures and features nearby which could be affected. We take photos and measurements, and note any cracks, leaks, wear and tear, or other signs of damage, such as on walls, roofs, floors, fences, driveways, windows, doors, and retaining walls.

The report also states basic information like the date, who inspected the property, the weather conditions at the time, and the purpose of the survey. Everything is clearly written with visual evidence so that later, if any damage is claimed, there’s a reliable record to compare against.

• Property identification: A report will include full address, parcel identifier, title number (if relevant), owner’s name, and neighbouring properties. We usually consider using accurate legal descriptions, including boundary markers or identifiers, so there is no ambiguity about which property is being reported.
• Date & time of inspection: Our dilapidation report will include the exact date, start and end times. It also helps to correlate with weather, site conditions, and any temporary works. If multiple visits are paid, we will list each one accordingly.
• Inspector details: Name, qualifications, license or registration number, contact details, and affiliation are mentioned. The credibility & liability of our report will depend heavily on the inspector’s credentials, and will be documented neatly.
• Scope & limitations: The final report includes what was inspected, like interior, exterior, roof, substructure, site boundaries, and what was excluded, e.g. inaccessible spaces, behind finishes, and hidden elements.
• Weather & site conditions at the time of inspection: Descriptions related to temperature, rain, wind, lighting, site access, ground moisture, and visibility will be mentioned.
• Detailed condition assessment of building elements: For each component, like walls, roofs, floors, windows, doors, foundations, ceilings, structural members, document: condition, defects, severity, existing cracks, deformations, movement, every minute detail is mentioned in the report. 
• External features & surroundings: Our report will focus on fences, retaining walls, driveways, pavements, drainage works, trees, site slopes, and adjacent structures. Sometimes damage comes from external elements or the effects of nearby works. Also, note any adjacent construction sites or earthworks that might affect the property.
• Photographs: Clear, sharp images of each defect, overall views, reference markers, scale bars, labels, tilted or angled as needed; these photographs will be undersigned accordingly. 
• Plan or layout to show the location of defects: It will focus on floor or site plans, elevations, or annotated sketches showing where each defect is located.
• Summary of existing defects or damage: Our report will include a consolidated table or narrative summary listing each defect, its location, description, severity, and risk 
• Signatures & verification: Signatures of the inspectors, date of signing, possibly a witness or certifier, will be present in our report.  
• Legal or insurance-relevant statements: In our report, disclaimers, statements of purpose, limits of liability, statements where the report can be used for insurance or legal comparisons, and conflict disclaimers.
• Distribution & record‑keeping: The copies of a dilapidation report will be received by the owner, contractor, insurer, and local authority.

Why Choose Sydney PrePurchase for Your Dilapidation Reports

When you hire Sydney PrePurchase, you’re getting a team that has been providing professional, court‑usable dilapidation or building condition reports for years. Our inspectors are highly experienced, independent building consultants who use clear and thorough photographic and written documentation of a property’s condition before any nearby construction begins.

We understand Sydney’s building regulations and ensure the reports meet Australian Standards, giving you reliable evidence for insurance, legal or neighbour disputes. Also, we offer fast turnaround, competitive pricing, and strong customer support, so you’ll have both peace of mind and protection.

Book a call today on 0488 900 386 with Sydney Pre Purchase to protect your property, avoid needless disputes, with a professional dilapidation report that gives you clear documentation of its condition before any work begins — saving you stress, time, and uncertainty