Archicentre is the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects

Archicentre Pest Inspections
Terms and Conditions

THE REPORT
This Report is prepared by Archicentre Ltd and the named inspector and is supplied to you (the named client) on the basis of and subject to these Terms and Conditions of Inspection. Archicentre Ltd accepts no responsibility to other persons.

Please note that having provided to you an opportunity to read or hear the Terms and Conditions following upon you making a booking for the Timber Pest Inspection, Archicentre Ltd and the inspector will proceed to conduct the inspection of the property and to supply this Report on the basis that you have accepted the Terms and Conditions and/or are deemed to have done so upon the inspector arriving at the property and commencing the inspection.

DEFINITIONS

No visible evidence
There was no visible indication of the presence or activity of timber pests at the time of the inspection.

Visible evidence
Timber Pest damage, or signs of their activity was detected.

Visible active evidence
Active timber pests were identified at the time of inspection.

Moderate Risk
In any area where termite activity has been detected there is an ongoing risk of damage unless an integrated pest management program has been implemented.

Moderate - High Risk
Local environmental, building structure or site conditions indicate an increased possibility of infestation or damage.

High Risk
Local environmental, building structure or site conditions indicate that there is a very high probability of infestation or destructive timber pest activity.

High to Extreme Risk
Conditions provide an ideal environment for heavy infestation and serious structural damage as a result of timber pest activity.

Some damage present
Moderate physical damage due to the action of timber pests was identified at the time of inspection.

Serious damage present
It appears that serious structural damage may be present requiring repair or replacement as a matter of urgency. Where any damage is present it is strongly recommended that you have it fully assessed by a qualified builder or structural engineer.

REPORT STANDARD
The Report will be prepared by your Inspector in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.3 - 1998 Inspection of buildings Part 3: Timber pest inspections and to any other Australian Standards cited in these Terms and Conditions.

Any report finding no visual evidence of timber pests or pest activity is not an indication of future risk and does not protect the building from future attack by timber destroying agents. The status and condition of a building may change at any time due to the habits of termites and other timber pests.

An Archicentre Timber Pest Inspection is A VISUAL INSPECTION ONLY in accordance with Australian Standard AS 4349.3 -1998 Inspection of buildings Part 3: Timber pest inspections.

Visual inspection is limited to those areas and sections of the property to which access (see Definition) is both available and permitted on the date of inspection. The inspection DOES NOT include breaking apart, dismantling, removing or moving objects including, but not limited to, foliage, mouldings, ceiling insulation/sisalation, floor or wall coverings, sidings, ceilings, floors, furnishings, appliances or personal possessions. The inspector CANNOT see inside walls, between floors, inside skillion roofing, inside the eaves, behind stored goods in cupboards, in other areas that are concealed or obstructed. The inspector WILL NOT dig, gouge, force or perform any other invasive procedures. An invasive inspection will not be performed unless a separate contract is entered into. In an occupied property it must be understood that furnishings or household items may be concealing evidence of Timber Pests which may only be revealed when the items are moved or removed. In the case of Strata type properties only the interior of the unit is inspected.

THE SCOPE OF THE REPORT
The Report is confined to reporting on the discovery, or non discovery, of infestation and/or damage caused by subterranean and dampwood termites ("white ants"), borers of seasoned timber and wood decay fungi (hereinafter referred to as "Timber Pests"), present on the date of the Inspection. The Inspection does not cover any other pests and the Report does not comment on them. Dry wood termites (Family: KALOTERMITIDAE) and European House Borer (Hylotrupes bujulus Linnaeus) are excluded from the Inspection, but will be reported on if, in the course of the Inspection, any visual evidence of infestation happens to be found. If Cryptotermes brevis (West Indian Dry Wood Termite) or Hylotrupes bujulus Linnaeus are discovered we are required by law to notify Government Authorities. If reported a special purpose report may be necessary.

LIMITATIONS
Nothing contained in the Report implies that any inaccessible or partly inaccessible areas or sections of the property being inspected by the Inspector on the date of the Inspection were not, or have not been, infested by Timber Pests. Accordingly this Report is not a guarantee that an infestation and/or damage does not exist in any inaccessible or partly inaccessible areas or sections of the property.
Nor is it a guarantee that a future infestation of Timber Pests will not occur or be found.

DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE
The Timber Pest Inspection Report is NOT a structural damage Report. We claim no expertise in structure or structural integrity and any opinion we give on timber damage SHOULD NOT be relied upon. The Report will not state the full extent of any timber pest damage. The Report will state timber damage found as 'slight', `moderate', `moderate to extensive' or 'extensive'. This information is not the opinion of an expert. If any evidence of Timber Pest activity and/or damage resulting from Timber Pest activity is reported either in the structure(s) or the grounds of the property, then you must assume that there may be concealed structural damage within the building(s). This concealed damage may only be found when wall linings, cladding or insulation are removed to reveal previously concealed timbers. An invasive Timber Pest Inspection (for which a separate contract is required) is strongly recommended and you should arrange for a qualified person such as a Builder, Engineer, or Architect to carry out a structural inspection and to determine the full extent of the damage and the extent of repairs that may be required. You agree that neither we nor the individual conducting the Inspection is responsible or liable for the repair of any damage whether disclosed by the report or not.

MOULD
Mildew and non wood decay fungi is commonly known as mould and is not considered a Timber Pest. However, mould and their spores may cause health problems or allergic reactions such as asthma and dermatitis in some people. No inspection for mould was carried out at the property and no report on the presence or absence of mould is provided. Should any evidence of mould happen to be noticed during the inspection, it will be noted in the Other Information (5.11) section of the report. If mould is noted as present within the property and you are concerned as to the possible health risk resulting from its presence then you should seek advice from your local Council, State or Commonwealth Government Health Department or a qualified expert such as an Industrial Hygienist.

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
No liability shall be accepted due to failure of the Report to notify any Termite activity and/or damage present at or prior to the date of the Report in any areas(s) or section(s) of the subject property physically inaccessible for inspection, or to which access for inspection is denied by or to the Inspector (including but not limited to any area(s) or section(s) so specified by the Report)

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES
The Report is made solely for the use and benefit of the Client named on the front of the report. No liability or responsibility whatsoever, in contract or tort, is accepted to any third party who may rely on the Report wholly or in part. Any third party acting or relying on the Report, in whole or in part, does so at their own risk.

ACCESS
Only areas to which reasonable access is available will be inspected. The Australian Standard AS 4349.3-1998 defines reasonable access as "areas where safe, unobstructed access is provided and the minimum clearances specified (in AS 4349.3 Table 1.1) are available or, where these clearances are not available, areas within the consultant's unobstructed line of sight and within arm's length. Reasonable access does not include removing screws and bolts to access covers." Reasonable access does not include the use of destructive or invasive inspection methods. Nor does reasonable access include cutting or making access traps, or moving heavy furniture or stored goods.

These REPORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS take precedence over any oral or written representations by Archicentre..

1) After making the booking, the client is deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions upon the inspector arriving on site.
2) Archicentre Ltd accepts no liability with respect to work carried out by other trades, consultants or practitioners.
3) The Report is not a guarantee but is an opinion of the condition of the inspected property.
4) The Report is based on the condition of the property and the prevailing structural, soil and weather conditions at the time of the inspection. Prolonged periods of exposure to conditions conducive to pest attack or infestation will increase the risk of such an attack and the damage which may eventuate.
5) The full Report is based on a visual inspection of accessible parts of the property and does not cover enquiries of councils or other authorities.
6) The Report will not disclose detection or non detection of pest attack or activity in inaccessible areas, defects that are not reasonably visible, defects which may be apparent in other weather conditions or defects which have not yet arisen.
7) This report does not cover any pest preventative or treatment measures, nor provide costings for control, rectification or prevention of attack by noted timber pests.
8) The Report does not cover the identification of Drywood termites. These pests are extremely difficult to detect visually and no warranty of their absence is given; any visual evidence located during this inspection will be reported.
9) The Report does not cover or deal with environmental or biological risk assessment not associated with timber pests, or with occupational health or safety issues.
10) Archicentre does not accept responsibility for services other than those provided in this Report.
11) Archicentre's liability with respect to the advice given in this report shall be limited to a refund of the paid inspection fee.
12) The lack of direct visible evidence does not mean that any/significant damage has not occurred.
13) This is not a structural report and in the event of any evidence of termite infestation it is recommended that a full structural inspection be carried out by a qualified professional as soon as possible.
14) The Archicentre Timber Pest Inspections Technical Information Sheet constitutes a vital part of the inspector's final Report and failure to observe either the Report or the Timber Pest Inspections Technical Information Sheet could lead to premature deterioration of the property.
15) The Health and Safety Warnings constitute a vital part of the Archicentre Report. Failure to observe the provisions of the warning sheet could jeopardize the safety of occupants.
16) If you are dissatisfied with the Report you agree to give Archicentre written notice specifying the matters about which you are dissatisfied and allow Archicentre to resolve matters with you within 28 days of receipt by Archicentre of such written notice and before taking any remedial action or incurring any cost.
17) Reference to Archicentre Ltd in this Report and any other documentation includes its agents and representatives authorized to act on its behalf.
18) Terms and Conditions of this Report comprise the whole agreement between the parties.
19) These Terms and Conditions are in addition to, and do not replace or remove, any rights conferred by the Trade Practices Act or any other consumer protection legislation.

V1.07 © COPYRIGHT ARCHICENTRE LIMITED - MAY 2007 UNORTHORISED USE PROHIBITED


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