PRE-ENGAGEMENT INSPECTION AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT OVERVIEW

This inspection will follow Australian Standards AS4349.1-2007 and AS4349.3-2010. We must provide you with this agreement before conducting your inspection.

KEY DEFINITIONS

• Client: The person named on the first page of this agreement
• Inspector: Fangs Building Inspections / the inspection company
• Property: The address being inspected
• Major Defect: A significant issue requiring urgent repair for safety or to prevent further damage
• Minor Defect: Any defect that is not classified as major
• Visual Inspection: Non-invasive inspection using sight and equipment, without cutting or dismantling

YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

By proceeding with this inspection, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

INSPECTION LIMITATIONS

1. This is a visual, non-invasive inspection only - we cannot see inside walls, under floors, or behind fixtures
2. We can only inspect areas that are safely accessible at the time of inspection
3. We will not move furniture, lift carpets, remove fixtures, or disturb any items
4. Some defects may not be visible during the inspection and could appear later
5. Just because we don't see a defect or pest infestation doesn't guarantee one doesn't exist

REPORT USAGE

6. This report is for your use only - do not share it with third parties without our written consent
7. Do not use this report for property valuation purposes
8. Do not rely solely on this report for your final purchase decision
9. This report is valid for 7 days only, as conditions can change

SAFETY & ACCESS

10. The inspector determines what is safe and accessible during the inspection
11. We are not liable for areas we cannot inspect due to safety concerns or access restrictions
12. We can cancel the inspection if safety concerns arise (full refund provided)

LIABILITY

13. Any claim for loss is limited to the cost of the inspection
14. You will not hold us liable for defects in areas we could not access or inspect
15. Implement any recommendations urgently for your safety

WHAT WE INSPECT

INCLUDED AREAS (subject to safe access):

• Interior of the property
• Roof space
• Exterior of the property
• Sub-floor space (if accessible)
• Roof exterior (subject to height and weather restrictions)
• Property grounds within 30 metres of the building
• Fences and structures within site boundaries

INSPECTION STANDARDS:

• For houses: Appendix C of AS4349.1-2007
• For strata properties: Appendix B of AS4349.1-2007
• Timber pest inspection: AS4349.3-2010

WHAT WE DO NOT INSPECT

EXCLUDED ITEMS:

• Inside walls, ceilings, or floors
• Behind cupboards, wardrobes, or kitchen joinery
• Under floor coverings or inside eaves
• Common property in strata/company title buildings (unless separately agreed)
• Swimming pool safety compliance
• Electrical installations and wiring details
• Plumbing systems (concealed pipes)
• Gas fittings and appliances
• Air conditioning systems
• Hot water systems
• Automatic garage doors
• Alarm and security systems
• Smoke detector operation
• Chimney and fireplace operation
• Concealed asbestos (visible asbestos will be noted but cannot be confirmed without lab testing)
• Mould requiring specialist equipment
• Soil conditions and flooding risk
• Building Code compliance
• Cost estimates for repairs
• Structural engineering design assessment
• Energy efficiency ratings
• Any renovations' legality or compliance

ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

We cannot inspect if access openings or clearances are smaller than:

ROOF INTERIOR:

• Access hole: 400mm x 500mm minimum
• Crawl space: 600mm x 600mm minimum
• Height: Must be safe from a 3.6m ladder

ROOF EXTERIOR:

• Height: Must be safe from a 3.6m ladder

SUBFLOOR:

• Access and crawl space: Subject to inspector's discretion for safety

OBSTRUCTIONS:

We cannot inspect areas blocked by:

• Furniture or stored items
• Boxes, vehicles, boats, trailers
• Plants, vines, foliage, or trees
• Insulation, ducting, or equipment
• Any other items or materials

WEATHER LIMITATIONS

As per AS4349.1-2007, we cannot detect certain defects during certain weather conditions:

• Rising damp may not be visible in dry conditions
• Roof leaks may not be apparent without rain
• Some moisture issues only appear in extreme weather

Defects related to weather may only become apparent in different conditions.

TIMBER PEST INSPECTION LIMITATIONS

We CANNOT detect:

• Drywood termites (colonies may be too small to see)
• Early-stage European House Borer activity (damage not visible on timber surface)
• Termite activity inside walls or concealed spaces

We WILL report on:

• Visible timber pest activity and damage
• Wood decay, rot, or fungi (visual assessment)
• Whether pest mitigation strategies appear adequate
• Likelihood of future pest activity based on property comparison

SHOWER TESTING

We will turn on taps to detect obvious leaks (if water is connected). However:

• This may not reveal all leaks
• Silicone or sealant applied before inspection may hide problems
• We do not assess floor grading or fall ratios

PAYMENT TERMS

FEES:

• Payment as advised by the inspector
• Fee becomes non-refundable once the inspector arrives on-site or begins the inspection

REFUND POLICY:

• If we cancel before arriving on-site, you receive a full refund
• If the fee is refunded, any inspection report provided becomes invalid

REPORT DETAILS

YOUR REPORT WILL INCLUDE:

• Areas inspected and not inspected (with reasons)
• Major defects requiring urgent attention
• General overview of minor defects
• Overall condition assessment compared to similar properties of the same age
• Timber pest activity and damage (if applicable)
• Recommendations for further action

YOUR REPORT WILL NOT INCLUDE:

• Cost estimates for repairs
• Guarantees that no hidden defects exist
• Assessment of areas we could not access
• Property valuation
• Building Code compliance certification

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

BEFORE THE INSPECTION:

1. Read and understand this entire agreement
2. Contact us if anything is unclear
3. Make payment before the inspection
4. Arrange property access with the owner/agent
5. Ensure all areas are accessible (remove obstructions if possible)

AFTER THE INSPECTION:

1. Read the entire report before purchasing the property
2. Contact us if you have questions about the report
3. Implement urgent recommendations immediately
4. Do not rely on the report after 7 days
5. Arrange re-inspection if previously inaccessible areas become available (call-out fee may apply)

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

If you have a dispute or complaint:

STEP 1: Notify us immediately by email or mail

STEP 2: Allow us to visit the property within 28 days to investigate

STEP 3: We will provide a written response within 28 days of our site visit

STEP 4: If unsatisfied, refer the matter to mediation within 21 days

• Mediator nominated by the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators of Australia
• Mediation costs shared equally between both parties

THIRD PARTY USE

• This report is for your use only
• Do not provide the report to anyone else without our written permission
• Third parties who receive the report (even with permission) use it at their own risk
• We accept no liability to third parties

WARRANTIES

OUR WARRANTY TO YOU:

• We will conduct a thorough and responsible inspection according to Australian Standards
• We will list all limitations encountered during the inspection
• We will document all visible defects found during the inspection

YOUR WARRANTY TO US:

• You will not hold us liable for areas we could not reasonably access
• You will not rely on this report after 7 days
• You understand this is a visual inspection and conditions may change
• You will not use this report for property valuation

INDEMNITY

You agree to indemnify (protect) us against:

• Third-party claims arising from use of this report
• Claims related to property valuation inaccuracies
• Claims for defects not visible during the visual inspection

TERMINATION

We reserve the right to cancel this agreement with 1 day's notice due to:

• Weather constraints
• Non-payment of fees
• Safety concerns

Only we can terminate this agreement.

AGREEMENT ACCEPTANCE

By making payment, you confirm that you:

• Have read and understood this entire agreement
• Accept all terms and conditions
• Agree to the limitations and exclusions outlined
• Will read the inspection report in full before purchasing the property
• Will contact us if you have questions about the report

IMPORTANT NOTES

• This inspection is conducted according to Australian Standards
• The report reflects the property's condition on the inspection date only
• Conditions may change after the inspection
• This is not a guarantee that defects don't exist in inaccessible areas
• This is not a warranty that future defects won't appear
• You should obtain specialist reports for specific concerns (electrical, plumbing, structural engineering, etc.)
• For strata properties, obtain a strata inspection report separately

VALIDITY PERIOD

This report is valid for 7 days only from the inspection date. After this period, conditions may have changed, and the report should not be relied upon.

In the ACT: Reports may be passed to purchasers if the inspection was conducted not more than 3 months prior to listing and is not more than 6 months old.