Specialist inspections
Expert witness inspections
An independent inspection and a written report for a building dispute, describing what was observed at the property in plain language. Tell us about the matter first and we'll confirm whether we can help.
Illustration. Not an actual property or real inspection work.
- Owners in a dispute with a builder or tradesperson about the quality or completion of building work.
- Builders and contractors who want an independent record of work that is in dispute.
- Owners in a dispute with a neighbour about damage, drainage or a shared fence.
- Lawyers acting for a party in a building dispute who need an independent inspection report.
- Owners corporations dealing with a dispute about building work on common property.
- A conversation about the matter before anything is booked: the property, what is in dispute, who is involved and what the report is for.
- The contract, plans, specifications, earlier reports and correspondence you provide, so the inspection focuses on the items in question.
- An independent, visual inspection of the building work or areas in dispute, as agreed in the scope.
- Each item in dispute recorded by location, with its visible condition and dated photos.
- If your lawyer has asked for the report in a particular form, a check before booking of whether we can prepare it that way.
- A written report setting out the scope, the documents we looked at and what was observed, item by item.
- Dated photos supporting the observations.
- A clear list of areas and items that couldn't be inspected, and why.
- A plain-language explanation of what the report says, with the chance to ask questions.
Tell us about the matter first: the property, what is in dispute, who is involved and where things are up to.
Share the contract, plans, specifications, earlier reports, photos and correspondence about the items in dispute.
If a lawyer is acting for you, let us know, and share any questions or format they would like the report to follow.
Tell us about any dates that matter, such as a mediation, a hearing or when a report is due, so we can let you know whether the timing can work.
Arrange access to the areas in dispute, with the owner's agreement if it isn't your property. If repairs are planned, tell us early, as the inspection can only record what is visible on the day. If a lawyer is acting for you, ask them about the timing of any repairs.
Can’t see your question? Send an enquiry and we’ll come back to you.
More detail
More about expert witness inspections
Start by telling us about the matter
Before anything is booked, tell us about the property, what is in dispute, who is involved and where things are up to. Share what you can: the contract, plans, earlier reports, photos and correspondence. If a lawyer is acting for you, let us know what they have asked for.
We'll confirm whether we can help. If we can, we'll confirm the scope and provide a quote. If we think the matter needs a different professional, we'll suggest the kind of professional to speak with.
How it works
Once the scope is agreed, access is arranged for the areas in dispute. On the day, we inspect the items in question visually and take dated photos. You then receive a written report that sets out the scope, the documents we looked at, what was observed item by item, and what couldn't be inspected. If anything in the report is unclear, ask us to explain it in plain language.
An independent record
The report describes what was observed, whoever commissions it. It isn't written to argue for one side.
If the report is intended for a court or tribunal, there may be rules about how expert reports are prepared and what they must include. Your lawyer can tell you what applies, and we'll confirm whether we can prepare a report in that form.
What this service is not
It isn't legal advice, a prediction of how a dispute will be resolved, a statutory inspection for a building permit, or a structural engineering assessment. It can't show what is hidden behind walls or below ground, or what has already been repaired or covered up.
For your rights and options in a building dispute, including any steps you may need to take before a matter goes further, speak with a lawyer. If the dispute is about cracking or movement, Structural inspections explains when a structural engineer may be needed. If works are about to start next door, a dilapidation report records the property's visible condition beforehand.
Learn with VicWide
Showing 2 topics
Inspections
How do I read an inspection report?
An inspection report records what was observed at the time of the inspection, where it was observed, and what couldn't be inspected. This topic walks through a typical report structure and how to use it when you talk with builders, agents or other advisers.
Key points 5
- A report describes observations at the time of the inspection. Conditions can change afterwards.
- Read the scope and limitations first, so you know what was and wasn't inspected.
- Observations are grouped by area, so you can find what matters to your decision.
- A report is not a certificate of compliance, a warranty or an insurance policy.
- If something isn't clear, ask us to explain it in plain language.
Related service: Compliance & reporting
Building
What should I ask while my new home is being built?
Building a new home involves several construction stages, a building permit, and a builder who remains responsible for the work. This topic explains how independent stage inspections sit alongside the mandatory inspections for the building permit, and which questions are worth asking along the way.
Key points 5
- Mandatory inspections for the building permit are carried out by, or on behalf of, the relevant building surveyor.
- Independent stage inspections are ones you choose to commission. They don't replace the mandatory inspections.
- Commonly requested stages include slab or base, frame, lock-up, fixing, and completion or handover.
- Check your building contract for how each stage is defined and how you'll be told a stage is reached.
- Your builder remains responsible for the building work, whatever inspections you commission.
Related service: New-building inspections
Ready when you are
Enquire about expert witness inspections
Tell us what you need. We’ll let you know whether we can help, then confirm the scope and a quote.