When a property claim lands on your desk, clarity and defensibility matter. We are often asked whether to commission building reports or an engineering report. If the claim involves structure, many insurers will request a structural engineer report prepared and signed by our registered engineers. What is a building report? A building report is prepared […]
Category Archives: building reports
building consulting, building reports, news
Assessing quality in construction: What independent building consultants look for
01
Aug
Aug
Quality construction is what every property owner or manager hopes their building was delivered with. It underpins the asset’s performance and long-term value, supporting durability, reducing maintenance needs, and contributing to the overall safety and reliability of the structure. It’s also a marker of a sound investment—something that should stand up to time, use, and […]
building reports, construction dispute resolution, news
Disputes in construction: How construction expert witnesses support resolution and fairness
12
Jul
Jul
Construction disputes are rarely straightforward. Claims often hinge on technical details: What caused the issue, who was responsible, and whether construction standards were met. These are not easy questions to answer without expert input. Insurers, brokers, and body corporates rely on construction expert witnesses to provide that clarity. Independent evidence helps uncover the what, why […]
building reports, damage reporting, news
Preparing your insurance portfolio for summer: The role of damage reporting in risk management
17
Jun
Jun
Summer brings a sharp uptick in risk for property portfolios across Australia. Severe storms, bushfires, and flood events can strain claims teams and put pressure on both insurers and brokers to act quickly and decisively. Extreme weather events, including severe bushfires, intense heatwaves, and significant flooding, marked Australia’s 2024–25 summer season. Western Australia experienced its […]
building reports, news, structural investigations
How to interpret structural building reports when workmanship is in question
10
Jun
Jun
When structural issues appear in a building, one of the first steps is to commission a structural building report. This provides a technical overview of the building’s condition and helps identify the likely causes and severity of the damage. When workmanship is in question, the report becomes especially important. It may be the first formal […]
building reports, damage reporting, news
Damage reporting for contested claims: What insurers and property owners need to know
14
May
May
When an insurance claim is contested, it usually comes down to one thing: uncertainty. The insurer needs to confirm what caused the damage, whether it’s recent, and whether it’s covered. The property owner needs to know the claim is being assessed fairly, with all the right information on hand. Without clear evidence, it’s hard for […]
14
Apr
Apr
Insurance claims don’t always go to plan. In recent years, there’s been a noticeable rise in insurance disputes across Australia. In 2023–24, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority received more than 29,000 general insurance complaints—a 5% increase from the year before. While that figure spans everything from property to car insurance, it reflects a broader trend: […]
building reports, news, structural investigations
Decoding structural building reports after a storm: what insurers and body corporates need to look for
04
Feb
Feb
Storms can wreak havoc on buildings, leaving insurers and body corporates with the complex task of assessing structural integrity, organising repairs, and managing claims. In Australia, these challenges are compounded by rising insurance premiums and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. According to the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), one in twelve properties is […]
building consulting, building reports, news
Understanding insurance building reports: how building consultants bridge the gap between insurers and property owners
30
Jan
Jan
When property damage or defects occur, the claims process can become a source of confusion and frustration for insurers and property owners alike. Miscommunication, disputes, and delays are common when technical details aren’t clearly understood. This is where building consultants play an essential role. Through detailed, objective insurance reports, they provide clarity, support claims processes, […]
building reports, damage reporting, disaster assessment, news
Preventing bushfire-related building losses
09
Jan
Jan
What an independent building consultant reveals about property risks With scorching heatwaves and early bushfires already threatening parts of Queensland, regional areas are under growing pressure to prepare for a high-risk season. Dry conditions and soaring temperatures across inland and rural regions are creating the perfect environment for fires to ignite and spread. Independent building […]
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