Building Inspection Reports

ENGINEERS’ REPORTS – RICHMOND HALL

The following are the reports I have in my possession. Many of the recommendations have been followed up but others have not. These reports tend to get buried in the paperwork of the strata plan. Thus, I think it a good idea to make them available here for inspection.

2017-11-28 Core Engineering report on rear stairs & damp in lower corridor

The rear wooden stairs have now been replaced and Core engineering has been engaged to get quotes for installing a new damp course in the walls of the lower corridor.

2015-02-26 Pest inspection 2 Farrell Ave Darlinghurst

This report revealed damage from previous termite attack but no active infestation.  The rotten rear stairs have been replaced and timber supports and old doors removed from the cellar. The extensive work on the western sunrooms replaced a huge amount of structural timber that was damaged by previous termite attacks. Fungus underneath lots 10 & 11 has not been treated but I believe the owner of lot 11 has replaced some support timbers affected by dry rot.

2014-05-17 Engineer's report on cellar & lot 10damp

We needed an engineer’s assessment before undertaking excavations in the cellar (of soil abutting lot 10). This excavation was completed in 2016 as part of the west side sunroom work.

The downpipe problem has been rectified in lot 10 courtyard but lowering the level of lot 10 courtyard and installation of additional subfloor ventilation has not been undertaken.

 2001-08-28 Demlakian structural report

The problems with the northern retaining wall were rectified after its partial collapse some years ago.

Wooden support posts under lot 2 were replaced with steel in 2016 as part of west side work.

Roof membrane is holding up after several recoats solving water penetration problems.

I believe the owner of lot 11 has had defective foundation piers replaced at his own expense.

Possible loss of lateral integrity of the building due to the removal of interior walls has not been investigated.

Extensive work on the western sunrooms appears to have solved water penetration problems.

1996-09-30 Dilapidation Report Demlakian

This is only a 2 page fragment of this report, dealing with lots 1, 2, 3, 10 & 11. Lots 1, 2 3 & 10 have undergone extensive renovations (by owners) since this period. Lot 11 comments may still be relevant. This report is referred to 5 years later in “2001-08-28 Demlakian structural report”.

1993-12-13 Engineers report Sutech

This is the earliest report I have in my archive. It is quite thorough and includes an inspection of each lot. Unfortunately page 3 is missing, but all the recommendations are included. Surprisingly, many of the recommendations have been carried out. The report “2014-05-17 Engineers report on cellar” was necessary before we undertook to remove soil in the cellar against the bedroom and bathroom walls of lot 10 as recommended. This was completed in 2016 but the recommended sub-floor ventilation still has not been done.