Modifying Existing Building Elements

Before you buy your new home it is important to ensure all building elements are approved and have not been modified from their original configuration. The owner of this property chose to widen the distance between carport posts. Unfortunately they had no idea how to do it correctly. The cantilever holding the roof and the post was not structurally adequate causing the roof to sag and the post to bow and lean out of plumb. A specialist engineers report was required and a safety warning was issued to ensure nobody occupied the space under the structure until it had been repaired to meet an acceptable structural building standard.

Safety is a paramount part of building inspections as identified in the standard. Defective building elements can also be safety hazards and it is important to give a strong warning to protect anyone occupying the property.