A good dilapidation report creates a clear condition record before works begin, especially around demolition, excavation, piling and heavy construction interfaces.
When reports are useful
- Before demolition or excavation
- Before piling or vibration-intensive works
- Near neighbouring buildings or retaining walls
- Near public assets, roads, footpaths or kerbs
- Where a council, superintendent or contract requires evidence
What should be recorded
- Photos and location notes
- Existing cracks, settlement, leaks or defects
- Road reserve and public asset condition
- Access limitations
- Post-works comparison references
Important limitation
- A condition report is not automatically a structural certification
- It does not automatically determine legal causation
- Any engineering opinion must be separately scoped and evidence-based