Defects Report

What is a Defects Report?

A Defects Report is produced to assess and analyse a specific issue or defect with a given property. The defects report will look to ascertain the cause of cracking or movement within a property, the cause of water ingress, timber decay, condensation, penetrating damp and many other building defects.

The purpose of a defects report is to enable a commercial building surveyor to take a methodical approach to understanding the cause and remediation options available to resolve the defect identified in the defects report. The defects report can often be used as a live document and can be reviewed and updated following further investigations and testing which may have been recommended in the defects report.

When do you need a Defects Report?

A defects report is normally instructed when an issue arises within a property. A building can be subject to numerous different types of defects and it is often complicated to assess and identify what the actual cause of the defect is. There are numerous different types of property defects that may lead to the requirement for a defects report.

The type of defects which may lead to the requirement for a defects report are: water ingress, penetrating damp, condensation, timber decay, beetle infestation, movement (various causes), structural instability, concrete defects etc.

The defects report may assess one, or a combination of these defects. The defects report will be used to understand the options for remediating the defect(s) and the associated costs.

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What is included in a Defects Report?

The contents of a defects report will be dependent upon the nature and complexity of the defect, which is being analysed by the commercial building surveyor. However, a defects report will generally include the following:

The defects report will firstly include a summary of the issue, a brief description of the property and the scope of the instruction. The defects report will then go on to describe the main observations and methodology used in the inspection. The next stage of the defects report will go on to make recommendations for further investigations, opening up works and testing.

Should the findings of the defects report be clear then the defects report will contain recommendations and conclusions on the cause of the defect and preferred remedial works. Budget costs will be included in the defects report for the proposed works, or for the investigation works.

The defects report will also include appendices, which may be drawings, photographs, summary specifications etc.

Why do I need a Defects Report?

A defects report is necessary to accurately identify the causes and appropriate remediation options for resolving a building defect. The defects report ensures that an accurate assessment of a defect is made and that the remedial works are appropriate and robust enough to resolve the specific defect. By not instructing a defects report a property owner may end up spending a considerable amount of money of repairs which do not resolve the issue.