Independent inspections • Unbiased reports

Your home.
Your investment.Informed decisions

Buying a home. Building a new one. Renovating the one you love. Get a clearer picture of its condition with a practical inspection and a documented report.

For homeowners, homebuyers & renovators
Modern residential building with rendered walls, brickwork and large windows
Understand the issue. Know your next step.Building condition • Defects • Water ingress
Practical building experiencePhotographic documentationEvidence-based reportingAppropriate Next Steps
Our five core services

A clearer view of
your property.

Whether you’re considering buying a property, have concerns about construction or renovation work, or are dealing with a persistent problem in the home you live in, DTECT helps you understand the issues, their implications and the next steps to consider.

01 / BEFORE YOU PAY THE DEPOSIT

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Buying a property is a major decision. Our pre-purchase inspection gives you an independent view of its visible condition, helping you understand defects, maintenance concerns and areas that may need further investigation before you commit.

We assess accessible building elements within the agreed scope, looking for signs such as cracking, moisture damage, deterioration and poorly completed repairs. Your written report records relevant findings with photographs and practical recommendations, so you can prioritise concerns, ask informed questions and consider further specialist advice where needed.

  • Accessible building elements
  • Visible defects and maintenance concerns
  • Findings to inform your purchase decision
02 / BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT FINAL PAYMENT

Handover / Practical Completion

Before accepting the keys to a newly built home or completed renovation, an independent inspection helps you understand whether there are visible defects, unfinished items or workmanship concerns that need to be raised with your builder.

We review accessible completed work within the agreed scope, including finishes, doors, windows, wet areas and other relevant building elements. Your report documents observed issues with photographs and clear descriptions, providing an organised record for discussions about rectification. Share any plans, specifications and particular concerns before the inspection so the assessment can focus on what matters to your project.

  • Workmanship and finishing concerns
  • Visible defects and incomplete items
  • A documented list to discuss with your builder
03 / BEFORE YOU MAKE THAT STAGE PAYMENT

Building Defect On-Site Assessment

If something does not look right in your home, new build or renovation, a targeted on-site assessment helps you understand the concern and the factors that may be contributing to it. This service suits homeowners dealing with recurring problems or questioning the quality of their builder’s work.

We examine the affected accessible areas, consider the history of the issue and discuss observed conditions, likely causes and appropriate next steps. Where you need a formal record, a separately quoted written report can bring together photographs, findings and recommendations to support discussions or disputes with your builder. Tell us the intended use of the report before booking so the scope and reporting requirements can be agreed.

  • Targeted assessment of building issues
  • Review of observed conditions and likely contributing factors
  • Formal reporting for builder discussions or disputes, quoted separately

Formal written report quoted separately depending on complexity and purpose.

04 / TRACE THE SOURCE

Water Ingress On-Site Assessment

Recurring leaks, damp patches, peeling paint and moisture damage can have several possible sources. Our on-site assessment examines the symptoms and surrounding accessible building elements to help identify how water may be entering or moving through your property.

We consider when the problem occurs, previous repairs and relevant details around roofs, windows, balconies or wet areas within the agreed scope. We explain observed conditions, likely contributing factors and the next steps needed to investigate further. Additional testing or access behind finishes may be recommended where the source cannot be established from accessible areas. A formal written report is available under a separately agreed scope and quote.

  • Assessment of moisture symptoms
  • Likely entry points and contributing factors
  • Recommendations for targeted investigation

Formal written report quoted separately depending on complexity and purpose.

05 / RECORD EXISTING CONDITION

Dilapidation Report

A dilapidation report creates a documented record of a property’s existing condition before nearby construction, excavation, demolition or other works begin. It provides a baseline that can be referred to if concerns about changes or damage arise later.

We inspect the agreed accessible areas and photograph existing conditions such as cracks, surface damage and deterioration, noting their locations in a written report. Depending on the agreed scope, this may cover internal rooms, external walls and surrounding improvements. The report helps owners, neighbours and contractors refer to the same condition record; any later changes require a separate comparison assessment. Arrange the inspection before the relevant works commence.

  • Accessible areas and existing damage
  • Photographic records of observed condition
  • A baseline for later comparison
Building, renovating or facing a problem that won’t go away?

You’ve noticed an issue.
You need it documented
or its root cause identified.

Whether you’re concerned about building work or a recurring problem in your home, a focused inspection helps document what you’re seeing, investigate likely causes and clarify the next steps. You receive clear findings to support discussions with your contractor or plan further investigation.

Prepare for an assessment
Workmanship that looks unfinished or inconsistent
Leaks, damp patches or recurring moisture
Cracks or movement you’re concerned about
Doors, windows or finishes that aren’t working as expected
Items you want checked before handover
DTECTREPORT CONTENT

From observation
to understanding.

01
What was observed

A description of the issue and its location.

02
Supporting photographs

Visual documentation of relevant findings.

03
What it may mean

Practical context, with uncertainty identified.

04
Recommended next steps

Further checks or specialist advice where needed.

Illustrative outline. Report scope is agreed for each inspection.

Evidence-led reporting

Useful findings.
Practical next steps.

A report should help you understand your property, prioritise concerns and have a more informed conversation about what happens next.

DTECT documents inspected areas and visible findings, while identifying access limitations and matters that may need further investigation.

How it works

A considered approach,
from concern to report.

01

Tell us your concern

Share the property type, project stage and issues you want assessed.

02

Agree the scope

Confirm the areas to inspect, access arrangements and reporting needs.

03

Inspect & document

Assess accessible areas and record relevant observations and photographs.

04

Understand your findings

Review the report and recommended next steps for your property.

About DTECT Building Consultancy

Look deeper.
Find what others miss.

DTECT takes a forensic approach to building inspections: examining the evidence, connecting the signs and investigating what may lie beneath the surface.

Buildings tell a story through their layers. A crack, a damp patch or an uneven finish can be a clue to a wider issue. We look beyond the obvious to understand how materials, workmanship and building details interact.

Our aim is to turn those observations into clear, evidence-led findings, helping you understand the concern and decide what to investigate next.

Forensic approachFollow the evidence
See through layersUnderstand what the signs reveal
Common questions

Before your inspection.

Can you inspect work while my renovation is underway?

A targeted assessment can focus on concerns in accessible work at the current stage of your project. Share your concerns and any time-sensitive work so the appropriate inspection scope can be discussed before booking.

Can I use the report to speak with my contractor?

The report documents findings within the agreed scope and can support a more informed discussion with your contractor. If you need a report for a formal dispute or expert evidence, discuss that purpose before arranging the assessment so suitability can be confirmed.

What should I prepare?

Have the property address, your specific concerns and any relevant photos ready. For construction or renovation work, plans, the agreed scope of work and previous correspondence may help provide context.

Will an inspection uncover every hidden defect?

Findings depend on the agreed scope and access available. Concealed areas or issues behind finishes may require further investigation. Relevant limitations will be identified in the report.

Do you inspect properties across Sydney?

DTECT serves Sydney metro. Share the property’s suburb and the type of inspection required to confirm availability and scope.

Your next step

Start with the concern.
Define the inspection.

Whether you’re buying, building or renovating, these details help establish the right scope for your property.

Before arranging an inspection

  • Property address and building type
  • Buying, building, renovating or investigating a problem
  • Specific issues you want inspected
  • Photos, relevant documents and access details
  • Your preferred timing or project deadline