Sustainable Construction Inspection Report

This inspection report provides a comprehensive evaluation of a sustainable construction project, including recommendations for repairs and maintenance. It covers various aspects such as building conditions, grading system, exterior features, roof system, plumbing, and limitations of the inspection. The report also includes a land/site description and recommendations for improvement.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Introduction
The main purpose of this particular inspection was to carry out limited auditory and visual site
observations of the accessible areas of the primary structure, electrical systems, mechanical
components and give a personal opinion on whether the building’s component is performing the
function for which it was meant to or not(Blanche et al.2014).Also to recommend where
necessary repair procedures. This particular report is actually all-encompassing. In fact, the
report is very specific in the evaluated areas by the inspector.
Conditions of the inspections
Information on the client:
Mr. Jactone Ombogo
Mailing Address [e-mail]
City: Sydney
Information about the inspection
Inspector: Engineer Jared Owili
Inspection Date: 15/09/2019
Inspection time: 10:05
Address of the inspection: Off Southern Cross Drive road residential buildings.

Figure 1: The residential structure
Item of inspection: Home inspection in general( Lead Water Test, Radon Air Test, and Wood
Destroying Insect Inspections)
Climatic Conditions
Average Temperature Outside: 21 degrees
Weather conditions: Clear weather
Conditions of the Soil: Damp
Inspection Equipment
 Flashlight for checking dark places
 A hand rule
 Flash camera
 Spirit level device for height determination.
 Termite donger
Safety requirements
 Safety boots
Off Southern Cross
Drive road residential
building.

 Helmets
 Hand gloves
DESCRIPTION
Type and age
The property is an excellently located ancient single story masonry blockhouse constructed in
1957 having been used as a residential offering accommodation to family to the facility from
across the world and appears to be in a stable condition at the time of inspection.
Accommodation
The main property is configuring with the main entrance to the frontal façade of the property and
accommodation on the two levels as follows:
Ground: Toilet, Bathroom, Shower, Pay Phones, Teaspot, Kitchen
First: Teaspot, Shower, Toilet, Bathroom, Bedroom
The property has parking facilities. An open area finished on hand dressed stones is located to
the rear of the property
Characteristics of the building
Estimated year of construction: 1957
Type of the building 1 Family
Space Below Grade: Basement
Services for Utility

Source of water: Public
Disposal sewages: Public
Status of utilities: All utilities on
Other relevant information
Was the building Occupied: No
Presence of the client: Yes
Other people Present: Buyers agent.
Grounds
This particular inspection was never intended to include or address any geological condition or
provide information related to the stability of the building. There was limited reference made to
only regions found close to the exterior walls. The inspection was visual in nature and therefore
there was no attempt to determine the performance of the site in terms of the drainage or the
underground piping conditions including a sewer or municipal water(Bardach et al 2015)
BUILDING CONDITIONS
Grading System
Condition
Grade
Priority
Rating
Description Condition Recommendation
Good 4(A+) Functioning as expected 7-15 Lasting/ long-term work required
within the timespan that will aid in

preventing loss in value of the
property
Satisfactor
y
3 Functioning as expected even
though illustrating minor
defects
3-7 Some work needed to avoid damage
to the property
Poor 2 Illustrating major defects and
may not be operational as
expected
1-3 months Essential work needed to avoid
further deterioration of the property
Bad 1 Worn out/ expired lifespan Immediate Urgent work required which would
avoid closure and prohibition of
entry into the property
Sidewalks
Type: Brick
Condition: The general condition of the building appeared to be acceptable at the time the
inspection was carried out.
Stoops/Exterior Stairs
Type category: Concrete built
Condition: There was noted settlement at the step and stoop. There was a requirement of the
repair.

Grading 2
Patio: There was none present
Balcony/Decks:
Available type: Wood material construction
Balcony condition:
Figure 2: Appearance of the balcony
Porch
Status: There was none present
Porch Cover/Patio
Type recognized: None was applicable
Retaining Walls
Type identified: Masonry
Status: The condition appeared generally acceptable at the time or the period of the inspection
Grading 4
There were identified cases of loose/raised
boards which potential created trip hazard.
The structure of the deck appeared to be set
directly in the ground. Such kind of the deck
low elevation prevented a move to properly
view underneath the structure of the deck.

Condition: There was pitch slope of soil away from the base of the foundation. It is usually
recommended that the slope of the soil should fall away from the foot of the foundation at least
½ inch as well as extending at least 10 feet away from the foundation.
Gates and Fences
Type of the fence: Wire, chain link
Conditions:
Figure 3: Physical appearance of the gate
Grading 4
Conditions of Landscaping:
There were trees overhanging or touching the roof. There was a need to have them removed.
There was a recommendation for trimming or removal of vegetation away from the structure.
Exterior
The areas which are hidden from the view by the walls that had been could not be possibly
judged and therefore did not form part of the process of inspection. It is important to note that
minor cracks may be typically present in most of the foundations though they rarely represent the
There was damage which was noted on the fence gate. The
gate needs adjustment or repair.

structural problem. Usually, there is a recommendation of routine evaluation for those cracks
which form with bowing by a qualified structural engineer(Fatahi and Tabatabaiefar 2013).
Ideally, the proper design should allow the external grades should always allow the roof water as
well as the surface water to flow away from the foundation. Also, it is important to note that all
the concrete slabs will experience some form of cracking during shrinkage e as the process of
drying progress. It was anticipated that floor coverings will block or prevent the recognition of
the cracks. As such in cases where carpeting, as well as other mechanisms of floor covering, has
been installed, the material and the condition of the floor that is found underneath would not be
easily determined.
Exterior 1
Location: Within the house
The material used: stone, vinyl siding
Preset state or condition: The general condition of the material used in siding appeared to be an
acceptable state at the time inspection process was carried out.
Exterior 2
Location of the place: Garage
The material used: Vinyl siding
The condition of the state: The general condition of the siding material which was under the
study appeared to be acceptable at the inspection time.
Trim

Location of the point: Garage, House
The material used: Aluminium
The conditions appeared to be generally accepted during the inspection time.
Grading 3
Fascia
Location point: Garage, House
The material used: Aluminium
Conditions of the structure: There was the identification of some loose sections. It would be
recommended that replacement be done(Allouhi et al.2015)
Grading 1
Soffits
Location of the structure: Garage, House
The material used: Vinyl
The condition of the structure: There were some loose sections which were noted. Replacement
would be an ideal step.
Grading 1
Entry Doors

Figure 4: State of the door
Windows:
Type of the window: Casement windows sliding windows; Vinyl Clad Type
Windows: There was a case of the cracked panes which were noted. Cases of seals which had
failed were also identified. Also, there were cases of torn screens
Windows at the basement: Their conditions appeared to be in acceptable condition at the time
inspection was carried out
Grading 4
Miscellaneous:
Electrical: There would be a recommendation of the installation of GFCI at the protected outlets
all the locations in the exterior. There was a case of the loose cases of outlets identified on the
external points especially at the garage as well as rear section off the deck.
Other remarks:
Damaged or decayed areas were noted at the lower
section of the rear door as well as the front side of the
door.

Figure 5: Front face appearance
Roof System
During the investigation, it was discovered that the only way to determine the effectiveness of
any roofing system is during heavy rainfall. However, during the time of the inspection, this
particular condition was never present. The inspection of the roof system was therefore on the
basis of what was visible as well as accessible at that particular time. There was permission to
walk on the surfaces of the roof where the conditions were not perceived to be worse(Wehby et
al 2016).
Roof 1
Location of the structure: Garage, House
Access of the roof: There was a literal walking process on the roofs.
Type of the roof: Design life of Architectural Shingles
Approximated age of the roof: Over 10 years
Status of the Roof Covering: Mildew and mold was identified on the surface of the roof. The
fasteners, as well as nails, were found protruding from the surface of the roof. The areas of the
There was loose trim which was noted at the front door
columns. It is important to note that foliage, as well as
planting, was not considered during the inspection exercise.
This might have contributed to the obstruction of the
observation of the defects in the foundation and siding.

roof appeared to have multiple layers. It would be recommended that the layers be stripped off
when the installation of the new roof would be done.
Flashing-Valleys
Type of the components: Metallic type
General condition: There were traces of tarred flashings
Grading 3
SkyLights
Conditions Generally:
There were cases of moisture stains present at skylights. Such stains appeared to be inactive
during the time of the inspection. The study would, therefore, recommend a close monitor in the
future as needed. There was also noted missing hardware one the skylight which was unable to
attach the pole to other sections perceived to be open(Jones, Mitchell, and Turner 2015).
Chimney
Material Used: Bricks
Figure 6: Appearance of the chimney

Condition of the Chimney:
Figure 7: Tarred Section appearance
Condition of the Flue:
The visibility of flue was actually not visible due to the great height.
Plumbing Vents
General condition: During the time of the inspection time, the vents of the pipes appeared
acceptable.
Downspouts as well as Gutters
General Condition:
There was a recommendation for the installation of the extension to the downpours. This
p[articular component would assist in the direction of water away from the foundation. Most of
the downspouts terminate into the ground. It is possible for the occurrence of water back up.
Grading 3
Miscellaneous

The presence of the tarred flashings was an indication that the building has been leaking in the
past. Considering that tar dries out and in the process, they crack, there will be a need for the
periodic maintenance of the tar areas. This will ensure that this particular component is
watertight. The system of gutter of the structure should be subjected to regular maintenance in
order to prolong the life of various surfaces(Alam et al.2014).
Figure 8: Gutter appearance
Limitation of Inspection
 Access into the property at the time of instruction was limited and it was not possible
confirming unseen areas were defected free
 Close inspection of the upper parts of the building was a challenge due to the absence of
ladders hence minimal data was collected regarding the superstructure of the building.
 The report is generated purely for private and confidential use by the client for who the
report has been generated as well as for use by the professional advisers only.
 A number of parts of the building including the foundations and subfloor areas were
concealed during construction and hence could not be exposed during the inspection.
Woodwork and other parts of the structure which were inaccessible, unexposed or
covered were thus not reported(Shrout et al.2018).
Damages identified on the gutter system

 There are no calculations on the load-bearing capacity of structural timberwork or floors
hence no opinion can be given regarding the suitability or strength for the purpose.
Land /Site Description
The property is situated on an irregular shaped plot with the boundaries clearly marked. To the
best of the inspector’s knowledge, there has not been experienced any flooding in the past few
years and there is no justification to make us believe that this should remain to be the case even
though it is of essence to note that it can be noted that significant climatic changes have occurred
over the last few years which may change this situation in the times to come(Ebeling et al.2013).
The plot slopes from it's from to the rear. The natural ground conditions look reasonably good
with the driveway and path surfaces still distinct from the natural environment. The area is easily
accessible by the vehicles considering that it is located near the main highway.
Recommendation
The designs, as well as the methods adopted in the property, are improved and the property
might not be compliant with the prevailing and current standards in some respects, which is
applicable to a majority of the housing of the country(Borrmann et al.2018). The property enjoys
reasonably proper maintenance; however, it is naturally starting to suffer a little with age as
would be anticipated to find with a property of such nature, some repairs were successfully
identified. The process of the repair would need at least 3 months. Taking into consideration the
cost of materials and labor,the following may be required:
 Labour = $ 258
 Material Cost estimate =$ 659
 Other miscellaneous=$ 150

The client should as well consider the following factors other than the cost before the purchase.
Among the most important elements that require remedial attention may be as follows:
 Ascertaining the condition of drainage
 Bringing a competent plumber on board to replace the old uPVC pipework to modern
building materials
 Obtaining the services of a specialist timber and damp report as well as all the required
works that need to be implemented
 A complete overhaul of the external joinery and faulty rainwater goods
 Renewal of the areas of internal plasterwork as well as ceilings
 Strengthening of the roof timbers in a complaint with current building regulations and
works to be conducted in line with the current building regulations and works to be
conducted by a reputable roofing contractor

REFERENCES
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