The Blog

Are you aware that buyers of real estate have no consumer protection rights unlike all other consumers? The old fashioned common law principle “Caveat Emptor” or Buyer Beware still applies to home buyers. Under our current law the onus rests entirely with the buyer to uncover hidden defects that are not disclosed prior to the […]

BuildingPro’s Andrew Mackie-Smith was recently interviewed by Brisbane buyers agent, Karen Young, for an episode of her Everyday Property Investing podcast.

They discussed what to look out for in an inspection, common issues found during Building & Pest Inspections and how you can use the reports help to avoid costly mistakes or negotiate a better price.

At BuildingPro our aim is to assist you so that all your buildings including your pool comply with the legislation under the Building Act 1975.

ALL pool owners in Queensland have a responsibility to ensure that their pools comply with the new pool safety standard by 30th November 2015 otherwise they may face on-the spot fines by Council.

The legislation can be confusing for pool owners so here is a list of the important things you need to know.

At BuildingPro we care about your safety. Your home or rented property may not be as safe as you think. Here are 12 useful tips for checking your building:

Tip 1 – Check that window coverings like blinds and curtains do not have cords dangling where they could be a strangulation risk. Cords should be at least 1600mm above floor level and tied off on a suitable hook. This is a high risk when a child’s bed is placed under a cord that they can get tangled up in it.

Tip 2 – Check the height of windows above floor level. If a child could climb out of a window then you need to limit the opening to 125mm or install a suitable security screen to prevent them falling out of the window. This is a high risk when a child’s bed is placed under an openable window on the upper floor level.

We see many building disasters on our inspections, so it was refreshing to come across this example of a well-built carport. It has restored our faith in Australia’s builders! In this video Andrew show’s you why this is a great structure and things to look out for if you’re purchasing a property with a carport. […]

Landlords and their agents (or property managers) now owe a greater duty of care to their tenants and third parties after a recent landmark NSW court decision. The court found in favour of the tenant, awarding him over $840,000 in damages with liability for paying the total bill being split into a 25% share for […]

The weather is warming up and with it comes termite season! Yes, they are on the move! So now is the time to check your property and be on the lookout for the telltale signs of termite activity. Signs include timber damage, blistering paint, strange marks, faulty electrics and spots of mud protruding from walls. […]

Andrew Mackie-Smith appeared on A Current Affair this year as a building expert condemning an unsafe balcony in a tenanted property. According to Andrew, the principal building consultant for BuildingPro, he was “stunned”  to see a balcony in such an unsafe condition that was still being used. He recommended that it be demolished and rebuilt […]

Queensland Landlords have to take note of a recent court decision where a tenant won the court case suing the landlord for failing to keep the property in a safe condition. The case of Graton v Gillan Investments Pty Ltd found that the landlord had an obligation at the start of the tenancy of having […]

BuildingPro has been selected as a finalist for the Professional Services category in the 2013 Australian Small Business Champion Awards!