Why You Should Think Twice About Seller-Supplied Building Reports

Sometimes, sellers will provide a building report for the home they’re selling.
They arrange this themselves and make it available to potential buyers—often to save you the effort and cost of getting your own.

At first glance, this might seem like a helpful gesture. One less thing to organise and pay for, right?

But there’s usually a reason they’ve provided it—and it’s often to discourage you from getting your own independent report.

So, what’s the issue with that?

The Problem with Relying on Seller-Supplied Reports

Sellers know that most buyers will want to check the condition of the property—especially if there’s something that raises concerns, like the cladding, general condition, or signs of damage.

Sometimes, a seller will get a report ahead of time to fix any issues before listing the property. That’s smart, and it can be helpful to you as a buyer too.

But here’s the catch: we don’t always know why the seller got the report, who the inspector was, or what level of detail was included.

The report wasn’t addressed to the buyer; therefore, if there is something wrong with the property, i.e., leaking roof, a leaking bathroom, hidden rot, or structural issue, etc, the buyer has no comeback.
If there is any gross negligence, the building inspectors cannot be sued.

Building Inspectors Aren’t Regulated

One important thing to know: building inspectors aren’t regulated in many areas.

That means anyone can call themselves a building inspector—even without any real experience in construction.

As a result, the quality of building reports can vary greatly. Some reports are brief and may overlook serious defects, while others are thorough and reliable.

This lack of regulation means you can’t always trust the report you’re given—especially if you didn’t choose the inspector yourself.

Get Your Own Independent Report

It’s always a good idea to review the seller’s report—but you should also get your own independent inspection from a reputable, experienced company.

This gives you peace of mind that the property has been properly assessed—and ensures your lender feels the same.

Buying a home is likely one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. If you’re taking on a mortgage, it’s also one of your biggest financial commitments.

Adding uncertainty about the property’s condition can create unnecessary stress in an already complex process.

The Bottom Line

A building report is there to give you confidence that you’re making a sound investment. Skipping it—or relying only on a seller-provided one—might save you a few hundred dollars now, but it could cost you far more in the long run.