Section 137B Inspection and Compliance Reports
We provide comprehensive inspections and reports for owner builders who have carried out their own building work on their property. Under the Building Act 1993, owner builders who have completed building or renovation work need a Section 137B defect report when selling their property. Our service ensures your work meets council compliance requirements and insurance company obligations.
Unlike a standard council inspection, a 137B inspection also assesses non-structural and cosmetic building elements, including the quality of workmanship. Our inspection service helps protect you and future property owners by verifying that all work meets the required standards.
What Our Inspection Covers
Our comprehensive owner builder inspections assess all aspects of your building work to ensure compliance with Australian building standards.
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY
Assessment of foundations, framing, load-bearing elements, and overall structural soundness.
CODE COMPLIANCE
Verification against the Building Code of Australia and relevant Australian Standards.
WATERPROOFING
Inspection of wet areas, membranes, and water management systems.
SAFETY STANDARDS
Review of safety compliance including smoke alarms, handrails, and egress requirements.
WORKMANSHIP QUALITY
Evaluation of construction quality, materials used, and finishing standards.
DOCUMENTATION REVIEW
Assessment of permits, approvals, certificates, and compliance documentation.
What Work We Assess
We inspect all owner builder work on the property, from major structures to renovations and landscaping works, including:
Decks & Pergolas
Carports & Garages
Extensions
Kitchen & Bathroom Renovations
Driveways & Paving
Tiling
Fences
Sheds
Retaining Walls
Common Defects We Identify
Owner builder work often includes defects that go unnoticed until a sale is underway. Typical issues our inspections uncover include:
GROUND LEVELS & DRAINAGE
External ground and paving levels too high relative to the building, and insufficient freeboard to the floor slab (AS 2870).
WINDOWS & GLAZING
Inadequate window clearances under the Building Code, missing safety glass, and sticking windows and doors.
SEALING & FLASHINGS
Missing or improperly sealed joints and deteriorated metal flashings that allow water entry.
STAIRS & BALUSTRADES
Non-compliant stairs, handrails, and balustrades that don't meet safety requirements.
Who Needs a 137B Report?
A 137B inspection report is required in specific circumstances. Our detailed reports provide the documentation needed for:
Property Sale
Required before selling a property where owner-builder work has been carried out.
Council Compliance
Meeting local council requirements and obtaining occupancy certificates.
Insurance Requirements
Satisfying home warranty insurance and building insurance obligations.
Warranty Obligations
Documenting work quality for statutory warranty periods.
Council Building Compliance
Show Cause Notice Warning
Councils now have technology to investigate non-compliant works on your property and can issue a Show Cause Notice. This inspection should be carried out before putting your property on the market.
Our compliance inspection ensures buildings on your property meet council regulations, certifications, and permits. We compare council documents against current property conditions, noting any alterations, additions, or non-compliant building works not on council records.
Document Review
Compare council records to actual property
Permit Verification
Check all approvals are in place
Why Choose MBA Building Inspections?
QUALIFIED & EXPERIENCED
Fully licensed building inspector with extensive experience in owner-builder compliance assessments.
COMPREHENSIVE REPORTS
Detailed reports that meet all regulatory requirements for council, insurance, and property sales.
FAST TURNAROUND
Prompt inspection scheduling, with reports generated within 48 hours to meet your sale deadlines.
INDEPENDENT ADVICE
Impartial assessment with practical recommendations to address any issues identified.
