Image 1 of 1
Scope of Services, Review Process and Terms & Conditions:
Review Process
After purchasing, we will contact you with instructions for emailing your building inspection reports and photos for review.
We typically review building inspection reports and return a concise PDF summary within 24–36 hours of purchase. If your review is time-critical, please get in touch prior to booking.
Scope
This service includes a professional structural engineering review of the client-provided pre-purchase building inspection report and supporting photographs, undertaken without a site visit.
The scope of this review includes:
review of the structural issues and observations identified within the building inspection report
structural engineering commentary explaining what the reported structural items may indicate and how significant they may be
clarification of whether reported issues appear structural or non-structural (aesthetic), where relevant
Where referenced or described in the client-provided building inspection report, review commentary may include:
cracking or visible distress to walls, slabs, masonry, brickwork, or blockwork
commentary on specific structural elements such as stumps, piers, bearers, columns, beams, lintels, or roof framing
reported indications of movement or settlement
commentary on retaining walls, including reported cracking, movement, or visible distress
general commentary on the relative priority and significance of reported structural items
This service is limited to matters identified within the supplied documentation and photographs and does not include any site inspection, verification, measurements, testing, or investigation beyond the information provided.
Deliverables
The review will be provided to the client as a concise PDF structural review, which typically includes:
brief description of relevant structural systems
summary of the structural items reviewed
engineering commentary on reported structural issues and observations
classification of reported issues as structural or non-structural, where appropriate
general commentary on how important the reported issues may be and what they could mean
identification of circumstances where further investigation or an on-site inspection by a structural engineer may be warranted
Typical Review (Review Limits)
This service is intended for a typical residential pre-purchase building inspection, which generally includes:
review of one (1) residential dwelling pre-purchase report covering:
one (1) main residential dwelling (generally up to 325 m² of internal floor area), and
up to two (2) general auxiliary structures (for example, a carport or small shed, and a pergola)
review of a single building inspection report, typically in the order of 30–60 pages
review of a reasonable number of client-provided photographs, generally up to around 25 images, where relevant to the structural items noted
dwellings of a size and complexity generally consistent with standard residential construction
This is not a replacement for a full on-site structural inspection.
This service is limited to structural engineering matters only
Please note this review relies on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
While most pre-purchase building inspection reports fall within the typical scope outlined above, some reports or photo sets may exceed these limits. If this is the case, we’ll discuss it with you before proceeding. If you have any questions beforehand, please feel free to get in touch.
Exclusions
The following items are specifically excluded from this service:
any site visit, inspection, or verification of the property
review of multiple dwellings, additional auxiliary structures and sheds, strata schemes, or common property
review of commercial, industrial, or non-standard structures
review of detailed measurements, monitoring or testing
assessment of compliance with current building codes or standards
structural capacity checks or load calculations
structural design, rectification detailing or construction documentation
certification, approvals, or sign-off
dilapidation surveys or condition schedules
assessment of non-structural building elements and review of other engineering disciplines
ongoing engineering advice or assistance beyond the issued deliverable
Additional Terms & Conditions
Nature of service: Desktop-based review only, with no site visit. Based solely on client-provided reports, photos, and information. No measurements, testing, intrusive investigations, or on-site verification are undertaken.
Service area: Bookings outside our general servicing areas may be cancelled with a full refund.
Intended use: For information purposes only. Not for construction, rectification, design, certification, approvals, insurance, or legal purposes.
No certification or compliance: This service does not constitute a Form 15/16, certification, or confirmation of compliance with current codes or standards.
Information reliance: The review relies entirely on the accuracy and completeness of the information supplied. Williams Structural is not responsible for errors, omissions, or misrepresentations in the provided material.
Professional opinion only: All commentary is an engineering opinion based on limited available information. Hidden or concealed conditions may exist that cannot be identified through a desktop review.
Timeframes: Turnaround times (e.g. 24–36 hours) are indicative only and not guaranteed.
Cancellation & refunds: Full refund if cancelled before work commences. If cancelled after work has commenced, fees will be charged for work completed plus a 30% administration and overhead fee. No refunds once substantially complete or delivered.
Intellectual property & use: All reports remain the intellectual property of Williams Structural. The client may use the report for personal pre-purchase decision-making only; it may not be reused, modified, or relied upon by third parties without written consent.
Variations: Any request outside the stated scope will be treated as a variation and may incur additional fees. No additional work will proceed without prior agreement.
Service refusal or cancellation: Williams Structural may refuse or cancel this service at its discretion prior to delivery. A full refund applies if cancelled before work commences. If cancelled after work has commenced, fees may be charged for work completed.
Non-payment: Williams Structural may suspend or withhold delivery if payment is not received, reversed, or disputed.
No purchase advice: This service does not advise whether a client should or should not proceed with a purchase or otherwise.
Limitation of liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, liability is limited to the fee paid for the service.
Third-party reliance: No third party may rely on this review without written consent.
Severability: If any part of these terms is invalid, the remainder will continue to apply.
No waiver: Failure to enforce a right does not waive that right.
Entire agreement: These terms and the published service description form the entire agreement for this service.
Governing law: These terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.
Note: If you’re unsure whether your report or property falls within this scope, please get in touch. Additional services outside this scope can be discussed and quoted separately where required.