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Frequently Asked Questions

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• General
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General

• Does Tyrrells inspect outside the Sydney metropolitan area?

  Tyrrells inspect regional areas including as far south as Albion Park, west to Katoomba and north to Newcastle without additional travel charges. We would be pleased to inspect properties further away but do need to charge extra for time and travel.

• What do you charge to inspect a property?

  Tyrrells offers many different inspections and as such pricing varies. You can request a quote from the service page you are interested in. You can also contact us and speak to one our experienced members of staff.

• What does 'cost of repairs' mean?

  The 'cost of repairs' refers to the amount of money required to rectify defects.

• How soon can you inspect my property?

  Property Inspections can usually be carried out the day after the inspection has been ordered. Though this depends on access arrangements with the Real Estate Agent or vendor.

• Do your Reports include 'cost of repairs'?

  Not in our Pre-Purchase Reports. Where required we do provide estimates in other Reports. We may advise using the services of a Quantity Surveyor where costings form part of a Report prepared for litigation.

• When will I get my Report?

  Property and/or Timber Pest Reports are usually dispatched by close of business one day after the inspection. All other standard services will take 3 days. More complicated technical and expert services can take up to 5 days as Consultants have to research the Building Code of Australia, Australian Standards and other sources of reference.

• Do you provide Strata Reports?

  No, however we can recommend Purchasers Strata Inspections on 1300 787 282 or Lancelot Strata Reports on 9482 9755, to carryout your Strata Report.
  

• I find the builder intimidating. Can you help me?

  Yes. Our Consultants can mediate between yourself and the builder, though this is an additional service and is not included as part of a standard Report.

• Do you inspect on Saturdays?

  Consultants are not generally available for weekend appointments. In addition to this, Pre-Purchase Inspections are often difficult to arrange on weekends and as such are generally carried out Mondays to Fridays. Consultants can usually commence the Inspection early in the day in order to meet deadlines or to allow you to attend to your work schedule.

• Can you manage my building project?

  Yes. We suggest you engage Tyrrells for inspections at critical stages of your building project and especially if you are having difficulties at a particular stage of building process. Prior to construction Tyrrells' PlanCheck will help your building work proceed without hassle.

• Do you require payment prior to dispatching my Report?

  Yes. Company policy is that payment in advance for non-account clients.You can ask your solicitor/conveyancer to order on your behalf, in which case we will settle the account with them.

• Can I speak to the Consultant after I have received my Report?

  We recommend you call the Consultant after you read the Report. All Consultants are very willing to explain specific details and help you understand the Report's contents. Often a property that appears daunting, at first read of the Report, will seem worthy of further consideration after discussion. And issues, that initially concern you, may be easily fixed or may not even require repair until you renovate.

• Do you inspect swimming pools?

  Consultants will do a limited inspection of:
  

  • any cracking;
  • marks in the bottom of pool which may indicate spalling;
  • cracking in the coping around the top of the pool;
  • cracking, subsidence, deformation in the paving or landscaped areas around the pool;
  • height of fence for safety reasons, security of the fence, the operation of the gates and whether or not the safety signs are there; and,
    
  • the equipment enclosure and if deteriorated, we will comment on the visible condition.

  
  We would also comment if equipment box is sufficiently soundproofed, and if not, ask you to check Council requirements. If you would like a specialist pool expert to test all aspects of the pool, we can recommend a reputable company to you.

• What information do I need to provide Tyrrells with, when ordering a Technical Report?

  To provide an accurate quote, we need to know and/or check:

  
  

  For new buildings, including commercial buildings and private dwellings

  • approximate size of the building
    
  • approximate price of the building works or project
    
  • whether you have a contract with the builder
    
  • whether you have copies of relevant building drawings or plans
    
  • whether you are in dispute with the builder and whether the matter is likely to escalate into a legal matter.
    

  
  

  For existing buildings, including commercial buildings and private dwellings:
   

  • approximate size of building;
  • when you first noticed the problem
  • the value of the property;
  • whether the issue is spread throughout the building or confined to one area
  • type of construction (eg, concrete and steel, bricks, timber etc)
  • air conditioning plant, lift, fire & electrical services.

• Do you provide pest treatment?

  No, we are not pest controllers. However we can recommend several pest control companies that we consider to be ethical and well qualified.

• Why Tyrrells?

  • Tyrrells has carried out almost 75,000 inspections over the last 30 years and is used by hundreds of Government, legal and other large organisations.
  • We are fully insured.
  • We are a Quality Assured ISO 9001 accredited company.
  • You can meet us on site at the end of the inspection if you wish.
  • Our consultants are available on their mobile phones to clarify any questions or doubts.
  • We take a drainage diagram, if provided, to check the location of the plumbing and a survey to check to see if there are any encroachments onto the boundaries.
  • We like to do a full crawl in the sub-floor and roof interior to see as much timber as possible. We also use a probe to tap the timbers to see if there are termites.
  • We do random tests with a moisture meter on walls adjacent the bathroom and other areas of likely damp.
  • We have a very quick Report turn around time.

• Do you have Professional Indemnity Insurance?

  Yes, we have Professional Indemnity Insurance.

• Do you do Plumbing and Electrical Inspections?

  No, we are not licensed plumbers or electricians. However, whilst carrying out a Pre-Purchase Inspection we will:
  

  • a visual check of the hot water service and pipes and can advise on potential drainage problems;
  • advise if the wiring in the electrics is old;
  • would advise you to seek professional advice if anything was found to be untoward.

  
  We can also organise for an Electrical Report to be carried out on your behalf. Otherwise we recommend the services of J. Electric, who can be contacted on 0414 908 236. If you require a smoke test you can contact Chazlee Plumbing on 9894 9910 or 0417 458 538.

• Do you abide by the Standards?

  We inspect in accordance with Australian Standard including 4369.1 and 4369.3.

• I am building a new home. What inspections do you recommend and at what stage?

  • When the footings are dug and mesh laid, before the concrete is poured in
  • When the timber frame is up
  • When the roof is up, brickwork is up, plus electrical wiring and plumbing are in (before gyprock is installed)
  • Before you pay the builder the last payment, when the house is complete with all finishes and inclusions

• I am having a dispute with my builder - can Tyrrells help me?

  Yes we can. To find out more please contact us.

• You prepared a Report for someone else, can I get a copy of the Report at a discounted rate?

  Yes. As outlined in our Terms and Conditions the Report belongs to Tyrrells. As such you can purchase copy of the Report at discounted rate and our copy of the Report will be covered by our Professional Indemnity Insurance.

• Do you provide the agent with a copy of the Report?

  No, the Report is only sent to you and can be sent via email to your solicitor with no extra charge. We do not send Reports to agents.

• The tenants/owners have lots of stuff stored at the property. Is that a problem?

  Consultants cannot move furniture or lift carpets, the tenant/vendor will have to move these items. We also cannot comment on a problem that is not visible due to obstructions.

• Will you inspect the sub-floor?

  Yes, providing we can get access to the sub-floor. The agent or vendor will have to provide us with access.

Consultants

• Do your Consultants hold current licences and are they insured?

  All Tyrrells Consultants were licensed as previously required and now maintain their current Builders Licences. However, the Government recently changed the rules and licensing of Building Consultants is no longer required. Each Consultant is insured by Tyrrells' professional indemnity and public liability policies.

• Can I meet the Consultant at the time of the inspection?

  Yes. Tyrrells consultants are always pleased to meet clients on site and run through important aspects of the property. We generally advise that you arrive towards the end of the inspection so the consultant can focus on the inspection.

Services

• Do you check the plumbing and electrical wiring during a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

  Consultants are not licensed plumbers or electricians but they check services for obvious faults. This would typically include observing safety, likely remaining service life and any obvious visible deterioration. Consultants often advise inspection by specialists if they are concerned by what they find. This is obviously an area you should discuss with the Consultant once you have read the Report.

• What are Pre-Purchase Inspections?

  Pre-Purchase Inspections include a range of services that we offer to clients during the purchase of a property. These services include, Combined Property and Timber Pest, Timber Pest Report, Brand New Property Report, Property Report, Asbestos Identification Inspection and Commercial Property Report.

• What is a Timber Pest Inspection?

  A Timber Pest Inspection is a comprehensive Inspection from which a detailed Report, outlining any evidence of timber pest damage, is prepared.

• Do you include photos in your Property and/or Timber Pest Reports?

  Not generally. Our Reports are very detailed, descriptive and focus on the issues you need to know about. Photographic records are provided with other services such as a Dilapidation Report or an Expert Report.

• How long does a Pre-Purchase Inspection take?

  Every property is different and inspection times vary. Pre-Purchase Inspections usually take between 1.5 to 3 hours depending on size, complexity and condition of the property.

• What is a Property Inspection?

  A Property Inspection is a comprehensive Inspection from which a detailed Report, which outlines the seriousness and location of the building defects, is prepared.

• What is involved in obtaining a Pre-Purchase Report?

  • We generally spend 1.1/2 to 3 hours inspecting the property (depending upon the size and subsequent problems we may encounter). We also spend several hours preparing the written Report and other documents required for our inspection.
  • We inspect every accessible area including:
    
  • interior, using a moisture meter where necessary;
    
  • exterior;
  • roof exterior;
    
  • roof interior
    
  • sub-floor - our Consultant does a full crawl in the accessible sub-floor to see as much timber as possible, tapping with a probe to check for termites.
  • If there is no sub-floor, the Consultant checks to see if the slab edge is exposed as termites can travel up the slab edge and into cavities without detection.
  • Once the Report is read, you can ring the Consultant with any questions.
  • You can meet us on site at the end of the inspection if you wish.
  • The Report is usually emailed to you within 24 hours of us carrying out the inspection.

• When are Progress Inspections carried out?

  We can carry out a number of inspections during the major stages of the construction of the building, which include:
  

  • the footings, the frame and the final inspection;
  • the aim is to detect any poor workmanship before it becomes costly;
  • consultation with the with builder, if required.

• What does a PlanCheck involve?

  • We carefully review the building plans, specifications or any other relevant documentation to check for omissions or errors before building work begins.
  • These checks help prevent any delays and possible disputes with your builder.

• What is involved in preparing a Maintenance Report?

  • We will check the building and identify any serious building problems which require urgent maintenance;
  • These problems will be prioritised and will provide you with solutions to difficult problems.

• What types of timber pests do you comment on in a Timber Pest Report?

  Consultants primarily inspect for and report on:
  

  • any termite activity and termite damage;
  • the extent of termite damage;
  • the risks for termite infestation to occur or re-occur (e.g. dampness, poor ventilation, concealed floor slab edges); and,
  • the adequacy of termite management at the time of inspection or the measures you need to take to reduce termite pest risk.

  The other timber pest issues which are reported on as required relate to fungal decay, borer and delignification damage.

• How experienced are your Consultants?

  • Tyrrells has 12 Building Consultants with more than 200 years of experience and expertise between them.
  • Tyrrells has a number of founding members of the Institute of Building Consultants and the first IBC President, Jerry Tyrrell
  • Tyrrells as a whole has carried out over 70,000 inspections.
  • Tyrrells offer regular professional enhancement programs for their Consultants.
    

• What is a Dilapidation Report?

  A Dilapidation Report details the condition of a building and/or piece of infrastructure prior to excavation or other construction work being carried out on an adjacent property. We prepare photographic record of "before" photos in case they are needed in evidence.