If you are one of the growing number of owner builders, you’ll know that building a house can be both frustrating and satisfying. One of the things that you must obtain as an owner builder is an owner builder report. Read on for more information.

What is an Owner Builder Report?

An owner builder report is a report that is required if you have been an owner building and want to sell your home. Homes that have been built within the last six years under an Owner Builders permit must have this report as it is required in order to obtain Owner Builder Warranty Insurance. This insurance ensures that the owner builder is protected for the first six years on any major (over $12,000) element of building work even if the professional that did the work goes out of business, goes bankrupt, or even becomes deceased. The report is also necessary if the property is sold within the first six years, so that the purchaser is covered by the insurance for the remainder of the six year period.

The owner builder report covers all of the structural elements of the home as well as the non-structural and cosmetic elements of the home, outlining any defects or work that was not completed to a satisfactory standard.

Obtaining an Owner Builder Report

The owner builder report must be carried out by a third party inspector such as a building consultant in order to ensure that there are no traces of bias. The report that is governed by the Australian Standards and must comply with these. It is preferred that the report is written in plain English and has photos where appropriate.