Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about facade inspection.
Everything you need to know about our inspection process, the digital platform, compliance requirements, and how to get started.
General
What is a facade inspection?
A facade inspection is a systematic assessment of a building's external cladding, glazing, sealants, fixings, and structural connections. Inspectors examine every accessible surface for defects such as cracking, corrosion, water ingress, delamination, and failed sealant joints. The goal is to identify current defects, classify their severity, and provide a clear plan for remediation. Facade Inspect uses IRATA-certified rope access technicians to conduct close-range assessments, supported by thermal imaging and 3D point cloud capture.
How often should a building facade be inspected?
Most Australian standards and body corporate legislation recommend annual visual inspections for buildings over three storeys. A full condition assessment with 3D documentation should be done every three to five years, depending on the age of the building, exposure conditions, and cladding type. Buildings in coastal areas, those with known defects, or those approaching 10 years of age should be inspected more frequently. The Facade Inspect platform tracks inspection schedules and sends alerts when the next inspection is due.
What does a facade inspection cost?
Cost depends on the building size, height, access method, and scope of assessment. A typical commercial building of 10 to 20 storeys in Brisbane or Sydney will range from $5,000 to $25,000 for a full inspection with 3D point cloud capture and defect register. Simpler visual-only assessments cost less. Multi-building portfolio inspections are priced per building with volume discounts. Contact us for a specific quote based on your building.
How long does an inspection take?
Site time varies with building size and complexity. A 10-storey commercial building typically requires two to three days of on-site inspection, plus one to two weeks for report generation, 3D model processing, and defect register compilation. Larger or more complex buildings may take longer. We provide a detailed timeline during scoping so you know exactly when to expect the completed report and 3D model in the platform.
Do you inspect residential buildings?
Yes. We inspect residential high-rise buildings, strata-managed apartment blocks, and mixed-use developments. Body corporate committees and strata managers are among our most common clients. The Facade Inspect platform is particularly useful for strata because it provides a permanent, shareable record that can be presented to committee members, owners, and insurers. We also work with residential asset managers who oversee portfolios of apartment buildings.
Methodology
What methods do you use to inspect facades?
Our inspections combine four methods: close-range visual assessment by IRATA-certified rope access technicians, sounding and tapping tests to detect hollow areas and delamination, infrared thermal imaging to identify moisture ingress and thermal bridging, and 3D reality capture using LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry. The specific combination depends on the building type, cladding material, and scope of assessment. Every method is documented in the report with specific references to the relevant Australian standards.
What is rope access inspection?
Rope access is a method of reaching the building facade using industrial ropes, harnesses, and anchors instead of scaffolding or boom lifts. Our technicians are certified to IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) standards. Rope access is faster and less disruptive than scaffolding. It provides close-range access to every part of the facade without blocking footpaths, carparks, or building entries. Safety is managed under a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) prepared specifically for each building.
How does thermal imaging work for facade inspection?
Thermal imaging uses infrared cameras to detect temperature differences across the facade surface. Moisture trapped behind cladding shows as a cooler area compared to dry surroundings. Failed insulation and thermal bridges also appear as temperature anomalies. We conduct thermal surveys early in the morning or after rain to maximise contrast. Every thermal anomaly is georeferenced and pinned to the 3D model so it can be tracked over time and correlated with visual defects in the same area.
What is a 3D point cloud?
A 3D point cloud is a digital model of the building created from millions of measured points captured by LiDAR scanners and high-resolution cameras. The result is an interactive, navigable 3D copy of the building that you can rotate, zoom, and measure in a web browser. Every defect found during the inspection is pinned to a precise location in this model. When you click on a defect marker, you see photos, severity classification, repair recommendations, and status. The model persists between inspections so you can compare conditions year over year.
Can you inspect without scaffolding?
Yes. Rope access is our primary access method and eliminates the need for scaffolding on most buildings. This is faster to deploy, less expensive, and causes less disruption to building occupants and pedestrians. For buildings without suitable anchor points, we assess alternatives such as building management units (BMUs), elevated work platforms, or temporary rigging. In some cases we recommend a hybrid approach. We never require full scaffolding unless the building has no safe alternative access.
Compliance
What standards apply to facade inspections in Australia?
The primary standard is AS 4349.0:2007, which sets out general requirements for building inspections. AS/NZS 4284:2008 covers testing of building facades for water, air, and structural performance. The National Construction Code (NCC 2022) Part F3 sets weatherproofing requirements. In Queensland, the QBCC Act and BCCM Act impose obligations on builders and body corporates respectively. Our inspectors also work to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 45001 (safety). All reports reference the specific clauses that apply.
What are QBCC requirements for facade maintenance?
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) requires that buildings are maintained in a safe and functional condition. Under the QBCC Act 1991, builders have obligations during the defects liability period (typically 6 years for structural elements). Body corporates under the BCCM Act 1997 must maintain common property, which includes the facade. Regular inspections provide evidence of compliance with these obligations. Our reports document the building condition in a format that satisfies QBCC and body corporate reporting requirements.
What is NCC Part F3?
Part F3 of the National Construction Code (NCC 2022, Volume 1) deals with weatherproofing of buildings. It sets performance requirements for external walls, roofs, and windows to resist water penetration. Facade inspections assess whether the building envelope meets Part F3 requirements by checking sealant integrity, flashing details, weep holes, and drainage paths. Defects that compromise weatherproofing are flagged with Part F3 references in the report so building owners and engineers can assess compliance.
Do I need a facade inspection for insurance?
Many insurance policies for commercial and strata properties require evidence of regular maintenance, including facade condition assessments. If a claim is lodged for water damage, structural failure, or cladding defects, insurers will ask whether the building was regularly inspected and maintained. A documented inspection history through Facade Inspect provides this evidence. Some insurers also require a condition report before renewing coverage on older buildings or buildings with known facade issues.
What documentation do I get after an inspection?
You receive a full digital defect register, an interactive 3D model with all defects pinned to their exact location, a compliance summary referencing the applicable Australian standards, a severity-ranked remediation priority list, and a cost estimate for recommended repairs. All of this is accessible through the Facade Inspect platform via a secure login. You can share specific views with your board, strata committee, or insurer via secure links. PDF exports are available for formal submissions.
Platform
How does the digital platform work?
After your building is inspected, all findings are uploaded to the Facade Inspect platform. You log in to a web-based dashboard where you see your building's 3D model with every defect marked at its exact location. You can filter defects by severity, type, or facade elevation. Each defect record includes photos, classification, repair recommendations, and cost estimates. If remediation is in progress, you see real-time status updates. The platform works on desktop and mobile browsers with no software to install.
Can I share results with my board or strata committee?
Yes. You can generate secure share links that give read-only access to the 3D model, defect register, or specific views. This is designed for board meetings, AGMs, and insurer submissions. The recipient sees exactly what you see without needing a separate account. Share links can be revoked at any time. This eliminates the version control problems of emailing PDFs and ensures everyone is looking at the same, current information.
Is the data secure?
All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. The platform runs on Australian-hosted infrastructure. Access is controlled through individual user accounts with role-based permissions. Share links are time-limited and revocable. Permanent records are stored through Veritas, which uses IPFS-backed document storage with public verification codes. This means a third party can independently verify that a report is genuine and has not been altered after the fact.
What happens after the inspection is complete?
Once the field inspection is finished, our team processes the LiDAR data and photogrammetry into a 3D model. Every defect is classified, photographed, and pinned to the model. The defect register is compiled with severity ratings and cost estimates. The report is reviewed by an engineer. Then the complete package is uploaded to the platform and you receive a notification to log in. From there, you can explore the model, review findings, share with stakeholders, and initiate remediation work orders.
Can you manage the remediation process through the platform?
Yes. Every defect in the register can be converted into a work order with one click. You assign contractors, capture quotes, set schedules, and track progress with photo evidence at every stage. When work is completed, before-and-after photos and contractor sign-off are attached to the defect record in the 3D model. The status updates from "identified" through "verified" so you always know what has been fixed and what remains open.
Practical
Do you cover my city?
We have permanent offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. We also service the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Adelaide, Newcastle, Hobart, Townsville, and Darwin. For remote or regional locations, we deploy teams from the nearest office. If your building is in Australia, we can inspect it. Contact us with your building address and we will confirm coverage and mobilisation time.
How do I get a quote?
Submit an enquiry through the contact form on this site or call us on +61 7 3132 2534. Provide your building address, approximate height and number of facades, cladding type if known, and the scope of assessment you need. We will respond within one business day with a detailed quote covering scope, methodology, timeline, and pricing. For portfolio inspections covering multiple buildings, we provide a consolidated proposal with volume pricing.
What access do you need to the building?
We need access to the roof for anchor point installation or assessment, access to the building perimeter at ground level, and coordination with building management for any disruption to tenants or pedestrians. For rope access, we assess existing anchor points or install temporary rigging. We provide a detailed access plan during scoping so building management knows exactly what is required, when, and for how long.
What happens if you find serious defects?
If we identify defects that pose an immediate safety risk, such as loose cladding panels, failed fixings, or structural cracking, we notify the building owner or facility manager immediately and provide written advice on interim safety measures. These are flagged as critical priority in the defect register. We can also scope emergency remediation works and coordinate contractors through the platform to address the issue as quickly as possible.
Can I see a sample report?
Yes. We can provide a redacted sample report and a demonstration of the 3D viewer so you can see exactly what a completed inspection looks like in the platform. Request a demo through the contact form or call us directly. The demo includes a walkthrough of the defect register, the 3D model navigation, share link generation, and the remediation tracking workflow.