Scope

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This Report has been prepared, in good faith, on a visual review of the documentation and instructions, whether in writing or verbal, provided by you, the property owner.

The Report is limited a visual investigation of the item, area or matter of your concern.

Where this relates to a defect or problem with a building or property element the architect will, where appropriate:

  • Investigate and advise on the cause of the defect;
  • Provide advice on the repair or maintenance of the defect;
  • Recommend the appropriate trades, profession or technical expert to undertake further investigation and/or the repair or rectification.

Where the matter relates to design, the architect will, where appropriate:

Provide an assessment of the design issues;

  • Provide a conceptual design solution.

WHAT IS NOT RECORDED IN THIS REPORT

The Report will not contain advice on any matters beyond the scope of the advice sought.

  • The Report is based on the condition of the property and the prevailing structural, soil and weather conditions at the time of the inspection. Prolonged periods of wet or dry weather will cause structural changes to the property as described in Archicentre Australia’s Property Maintenance Guide.
  • The Report is based on a visual inspection of reasonably accessible parts of the property and does not cover enquiries of councils or other authorities.
  • The Report will not disclose defects in inaccessible areas, defects that are not reasonably visible, defects which may be apparent in other weather conditions or defects which have not yet arisen.
  • This Report does not include a pest inspection. Clients wishing to have a full pest infestation check should advise Archicentre Australia arrange for a separate timber pest inspection.
  • The Report does not cover all maintenance items, particularly those such as jamming doors, windows or catches, decorative finishes and hairline or slight cracks (Category 0 and 1 of Appendix C – Australian Standard AS 2870-2011).
  • Unless specifically and explicitly agreed in writing with the owner prior to the inspection, the Report does not cover the identification in the Property of:
    • Asbestos related products;
    • Condition or operation of swimming pools, spas and similar facilities;
    • Condition or adequacy of underground pipes or drainage systems;
    • Condition, adequacy or compliance of electrical, gas and plumbing systems including adequacy of roof plumbing;
    • Operation, adequacy or compliance of security and communications systems, smoke detectors, building services, building automation, automatic garage door mechanisms, plant, equipment and mechanical or electrical appliances or fittings;
    • Footings below ground or soil conditions;
    • Compliance with NCC/BCA, planning, sustainability or environmental matters including but not limited to the adequacy or safety of insulation, waterproof membranes and/or other installations, or BAL assessments.
  • The Report assumes that the existing use of the Property will continue, and unless the advice is sought in respect of a change of use, the Report will not assess the fitness of the Property for any intended purpose. Any proposed change in use of the Property should be verified with the relevant authorities.
  • It is not a certificate of compliance for the Property within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance or local by-law.

REPORT STANDARD

The Report has been prepared by your Architect in accordance with Australian Standard AS4349.0-2007 Inspection of Buildings Part 0: General Requirements and to any other Australian Standards cited in these Terms and Conditions.

The architect can only inspect the reasonably and safely accessible parts of the property. It is your responsibility to ensure that any inaccessible parts of the property that can be made reasonably accessible for an inspection, where appropriate for the scope of advice sought, are made so, prior to the inspection. Areas which are not reasonably and safely accessible cannot be assessed.

Terms & Conditions

The Report has been prepared by Archicentre Australia – a division of ArchiAdvisory Pty Ltd – and the named architect and is supplied to you (the named client) on the basis of and subject to the Scope and these Terms and Conditions. Archicentre Australia accepts no responsibility to other persons relying on the Report.

The Report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.0-2007 Inspection of Buildings Part 0: General Requirements and to any other Australian Standards and definitions cited in the Terms and Conditions.

The Report should be read in conjunction with any other Archicentre Australia Reports issued concurrently for the Property.

The Scope and Terms and Conditions take precedence over any verbal or written representations by or on behalf of Archicentre Australia.

After making the booking, the client is deemed to have accepted the Terms and Conditions and the Scope of Service upon the architect arriving on site.
The Report is not a guarantee but is an opinion of the condition of the inspected property.

Archicentre Australia accepts no liability with respect to work carried out by other trades, consultants or practitioners referred by Archicentre Australia. It is your responsibility to make appropriate contractual arrangements with such persons.

The Report is not a certificate of compliance for the property within the requirements of any Act, regulation, ordinance or local by-law.

Archicentre Australia does not accept responsibility for services other than those provided in this Report.

Archicentre Australia’s liability shall be limited to the provision of a new assessment and report or the payment of the cost of a new service and report, at the election of Archicentre Australia.

The service assumes that the existing use of the building will continue. The service will not assess the fitness of the building for any intended purpose. Any proposed change in use should be verified with the relevant authorities.

The Archicentre Australia Property Maintenance Guide and any other selected attachments referred to in this Report are a vital part of the recommendations and failure to observe the recommendations in the Report, the Property Maintenance Guide or such other referred attachments could lead to premature deterioration of the property.

The Health and Safety Warnings constitutes a vital part of Archicentre Australia’s recommendation to you. Failure to observe the provisions of the warning sheet could jeopardise the safety of the occupants.

The Report and its appendices and attachments, as issued by Archicentre Australia, takes precedence over any oral advice or draft reports, to the extent of any inconsistencies, and only the Report and its appendices and attachments, which form a vital part of the architect’s recommendations, shall be relied upon by you.
If you are dissatisfied with the Report you agree to promptly give Archicentre Australia written notice specifying the matters about which you are dissatisfied and allow Archicentre Australia to attempt to resolve the matters with you within 28 days of receipt by Archicentre Australia of such written notice before taking any remedial action or incurring any costs.

Reference to Archicentre Australia in this Report and any other documentation includes, where the context permits, its agents and representatives authorised to act on its behalf.

These Terms and Conditions are in addition to and do not replace or remove any implied guarantees or warranties conferred by the Competition and Consumer Act or any other consumer protection legislation.