Pre Purchase Inspection For A Brisbane Apartment

What We Found

What the seller didn’t disclose and what Our Inspection uncovered

  • Surface damage: Cracked tiles Tile cracking consistent with movement from moisture damage behind the wall — not a cosmetic issue.
  • Water ingress: Failed grout and silicone Grout failure and missing silicone around the bath and shower allowing water to penetrate behind the tile surface.
  • Structural risk: Mould on timber frames Door frames showed visible mould and deterioration — a sign of prolonged moisture exposure affecting structural timber.
  • Active moisture: Water damage under carpet Carpet concealed significant water damage and mould growth beneath — damage that had been spreading undetected.
  • Active moisture: High water content in wall Thermal imaging confirmed elevated moisture levels in the wall adjacent to the bathtub — invisible to the naked eye.
  • Moisture reading: Moisture meter in red zone Pin meter readings confirmed abnormally high moisture content in the wall structure — well above acceptable levels.

What the report gave the buyer

  • Documentary evidence of active water damage and mould, not disclosed by the vendor
  • A clear basis to negotiate a price reduction or request specialist remediation before settlement
  • The option to walk away, with confidence, not guesswork

In a strata apartment, water damage isn’t always a straightforward fix.
Repairs may involve body corporate approvals, licensed waterproofers, and neighbouring units, all of which add time, cost, and complexity.
Without this report, the buyer would have inherited every one of these problems at full price.

What could this cost to fix?

At minimum, cosmetic repairs only: grout, silicone, surface mould treatment and carpet replacement, you’re looking at $3,000–$8,000.

If the waterproofing has failed and the bathroom needs to be stripped back and rebuilt, add structural timber rectification and wall repairs, the realistic range is $25,000–$45,000.

In a strata property,you also have to contend with what is traced back to being common property, as these repairs also require body corporate approval as body corporate may also need to pay for repairs and this can take time for the approval process.

Repair estimates are indicative only and based on visible defects at time of inspection. A licensed builder or waterproofing specialist should be engaged for formal quotes.