The most common defects found in commercial buildings in Perth are roof cover damage and leaks, cracking and deterioration in external walls, and wear in internal elements such as stairwells, fire doors, and exit signage. Left unaddressed, these defects can let water into tenancies, interrupt a tenant’s business, and turn a small repair into an expensive one.
This article explains the commercial building defects our registered builders see most often across Perth, what falls inside and outside the scope of an inspection, and why catching these issues early protects both the property and the people trading inside it.
| What a commercial inspection covers, in short |
We assess the visible and accessible condition of the building: the roof, external walls, structure, and internal finishes. |
We are registered builders, not plumbers or electricians. Where a service looks faulty, we note it, but we do not test, certify, or repair services. |
Where a defect needs a specialist, we recommend further investigation by a suitably qualified, experienced tradesperson. |
A commercial building condition report can become the basis of a planned maintenance schedule, helping you manage costs in line with revenue. |
Why commercial buildings develop defects
Commercial buildings are built to take heavy use, but even well constructed properties develop problems over time. The usual causes are:
- Age: materials naturally deteriorate as a building gets older.
- Environmental factors: Perth’s heat, storms, and wind driven rain all take a toll on roofs, walls, and seals.
- Lack of maintenance: small problems become major defects when upkeep is deferred.
- Poor construction practices: substandard materials or workmanship cause issues that surface years later.
Understanding these causes is the first step in preventing costly repairs down the track.
The most common commercial building defects we find
Our team has inspected a wide range of commercial properties, including apartment buildings, factory units, and retail shopping centres. These are the defects we see most often.
Roof cover damage, leaks, and blockages
The roof is one of the first things we assess. We look for roof cover damage and defects, leaks, blockages, and non-compliant items, particularly where the roof is under 15 years old and should still be performing well. A failing roof is rarely just a roofing problem. Water that gets in can damage a tenant’s fit-off and stock, force a business to close while repairs are carried out, and lead to claims and lost rent for the owner.
External wall defects
We assess and report on the condition of external walls, including cracking, spalling, and fretting of brickwork. Rather than treating every mark as a fault, we compare the building’s condition against what we would reasonably expect from a building of a similar age, so you get a realistic picture of whether the wear is normal or a warning sign.
Internal elements and life safety items
Inside the building we check lighting, exit signage, stairwells, fire doors, and floor and wall finishes, and we comment on the overall condition of the building. These items matter for both safety and ongoing maintenance, and our report helps owners understand what needs attention at the time of purchase rather than after a problem appears.
Structural condition
We look at the general structural condition of the building, including signs of movement, settlement, and cracking. Identifying a significant structural issue early is valuable, because it can often be remediated or negotiated as part of the contract before you commit to the full purchase price.
What we note but do not inspect or repair
This is an important distinction, and it is one of the things that sets an honest report apart. There are issues a commercial building can have that we will note if they look faulty, but that fall outside what we are qualified to inspect or repair.
- Services such as plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems: we are registered builders, not plumbers or electricians. If something looks faulty we will mention it in the report, but we do not test or certify services, and we recommend you arrange further investigation with the appropriate qualified tradesperson.
- Hazardous materials such as asbestos: we may note the presence of suspect materials, but we do not test for or report on hazardous materials. A licensed assessor should be engaged where this is a concern.
- Access and disability compliance: this generally sits outside the scope of a commercial building condition inspection. We are happy to offer guidance separately, but it is not part of the standard inspection.
Being clear about scope protects you. It means the report you receive reflects what our builders have actually assessed, and it points you to the right specialist for anything beyond that.
The real cost of leaving commercial defects unaddressed
For commercial property, the cost of a defect is rarely limited to the repair itself. When a roof leak floods a tenancy, the tenant can lose stock, may need to relocate, and can lose trading days, all of which can flow back to the owner through claims, rent relief, and vacancy. A minor issue that is left alone tends to grow into a major one, and the eventual bill is far larger than the cost of acting early.
Identifying issues before they escalate avoids these large cost blowouts. It also gives a buyer real negotiating power: a significant defect found during the inspection can be remediated by the seller or accounted for in the contract price before settlement.
How a building condition report supports a smart maintenance plan
One of the biggest advantages of a commercial inspection is what you can do with the report afterwards. A commercial building condition report is an ideal foundation for a planned maintenance schedule, giving the buyer or owner a clear list of items to action and a sensible timeframe for each.
A scheduled maintenance plan lets you manage costs in line with your revenue rather than reacting to failures. Major works can be timed for a strong trading year and, with the right advice from your accountant, claimed back at tax time. Good planning means replacing a roof after a strong trading year, not scrambling to replace it after it has already failed and damaged a tenant’s business. That shift from reactive to planned spending is where a condition report pays for itself many times over.
Why choose Bestwest for your commercial inspection
Our inspectors are registered builders with extensive commercial experience, and we have inspected apartment buildings, factory units, retail shopping centres, and more. We provide detailed reports with full-resolution photographs and clear, actionable insights, so owners and investors can make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs, and purchase negotiations. For a broader overview, see our guide to commercial building inspections for business owners and our explainer on why commercial inspections safeguard your investment.
Get a free instant quote at bestwestbuilding.com.au or call us on (08) 9444 9562.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Building Inspections in Perth
What does a commercial building inspection include?
We assess the visible and accessible condition of the building, including the roof, external walls, structure, and internal elements such as lighting, exit signage, stairwells, fire doors, and floor and wall finishes. We report on the overall condition of the building compared with a building of a similar age.
Do you inspect plumbing and electrical systems?
We are registered builders, not plumbers or electricians, so we do not test or certify services. If a service looks faulty we will note it in the report and recommend you arrange further investigation with a suitably qualified, experienced tradesperson.
Do you test for asbestos or other hazardous materials?
No. We may note the presence of suspect materials, but we do not test for or report on hazardous materials. A licensed assessor should be engaged where this is a concern.
What types of commercial properties do you inspect?
We have inspected a broad range of commercial properties across Perth and the South West, including apartment buildings, factory units, and retail shopping centres. You can view a sample report to see how our findings are presented.
How can a commercial inspection save me money?
By identifying defects early, you can avoid large cost blowouts, negotiate significant issues into the contract before settlement, and use the report as the basis for a planned maintenance schedule that spreads costs in line with your revenue.
