Platform Transparency
How Specta Reviews and Categorises Inspectors
Before any inspector appears on Specta, they go through a structured review process. Here is what that process involves, what the two inspector categories mean, and what to check yourself before booking.
Why It Matters
Understanding Who Is Inspecting Your Property
When you book an inspection through Specta, you are trusting someone to attend a property on your behalf, assess its condition, and report back honestly. Understanding what Specta does and does not verify about inspectors helps you make a more informed decision before you confirm a booking.
Specta does not allocate inspectors automatically. You post a request, inspectors apply, and you choose. This means reviewing an inspector's profile, reading their previous client reviews, and understanding their qualifications is part of the process — not optional. This page explains what has already been assessed before they appear on the platform.
The Process
What Every Inspector Must Complete Before Approval
All inspectors on Specta — regardless of which track they join — must complete the same core onboarding process before their profile is made available to clients.
Complete Training Modules
Inspectors work through seven training modules covering systematic inspection approach, photo and video documentation standards, the 3-shot rule for defect capture, what to look for, what not to claim, reporting conduct, and how Specta's quality scoring works. The training sets specific standards for quality and honesty.
Pass a Knowledge Quiz at 80%
After completing the training, inspectors must pass a multiple-choice quiz with a minimum score of 80%. Inspectors who do not reach 80% cannot proceed to the next steps.
Sign the Inspector Pledge
Inspectors agree to a set of commitments covering photo standards, video standards, reporting standards, and conduct. The pledge is not a formality — it sets the baseline for what clients can expect.
Submit a Sample Inspection
Inspectors submit a sample inspection — a real documentation exercise — for review. This gives Specta a concrete example of how the inspector approaches a property assessment before they are approved.
Specta Admin Reviews and Approves
A Specta team member reviews the sample inspection and the inspector's profile. Approval can be granted, declined, or changes can be requested. Inspectors are not approved automatically.
Training Content
What the Training Covers
The training focuses on documentation standards — how to systematically inspect, photograph, and report on a property in a way that is genuinely useful to a client.
Inspect Systematically
A structured approach for residential, commercial, and land inspections — following the same path every time so nothing gets missed.
Take Useful Photos
Framing, lighting, and sequence for property photography. How to cover an entire property systematically — every room, every exterior area — so nothing is missing from the visual record.
Capture Defects With the 3-Shot Rule
For every defect: a context shot, a medium shot, and a close-up. Without context, a crack or stain is meaningless to the client reviewing findings remotely.
Film a Useful Walkthrough
How to film a slow, steady, narrated walkthrough that gives clients a genuine view of the property.
What to Look For
Common visible concerns across exteriors, interiors, kitchens, bathrooms, and general property condition.
What NOT to Say
Inspectors are trained to describe what is visible and note what is not accessible — not to certify outcomes they cannot confirm.
How Specta Scoring Works
Inspectors are rated on every submission across photo quality, coverage, clarity of findings, punctuality, and client satisfaction. Score affects visibility and job volume.
The Inspector Pledge
Standards Inspectors Commit To
Before approval, every inspector signs a pledge committing to specific conduct across four areas. These are not vague commitments — they describe specific behaviours.
Photo Standards
Take clear, well-lit, in-focus photos
Wide shots first, then close-up defect shots
Photograph every major room and exterior area
Not submit blurry, dark, or obstructed images
Video Standards
Record slow, steady walkthrough videos
Speak clearly when providing narration
Point out visible issues while filming
Reporting Standards
Describe what is visible — not guess what cannot be confirmed
Mention defects clearly and specifically
Note when areas were inaccessible or not visible
Conduct Standards
Not misrepresent qualifications
Complete every inspection honestly and thoroughly
Be respectful to agents, owners, and tenants
Inspector Categories
Community Inspector and Verified Professional
After completing the core onboarding process, inspectors are listed under one of two categories. Both go through the same training, quiz, pledge, and sample inspection review. The difference is licence status.
Trained, Platform-Reviewed
Community Inspectors have completed Specta's training, passed the quiz, signed the pledge, and had a sample inspection reviewed and approved. They do not hold a formal professional licence but have met Specta's documentation and conduct standards.
Completed training modules and quiz (80% minimum)
Signed inspector pledge
Sample inspection reviewed and approved
Suitable for: general visual condition assessments
Suitable for: residential pre-tenancy and routine reports
Licensed and Admin-Verified
Verified Professionals complete the same onboarding as Community Inspectors, and additionally submit a professional licence — such as a Builder's Licence, Pest Inspector Licence, Electrical Licence, or similar — which is reviewed and verified by Specta admin.
Same training, quiz, pledge, and sample inspection
Professional licence submitted and admin-verified
Verified Professional badge displayed on profile
Access to jobs posted as Verified Professional only
Suitable for: jobs requiring a licensed inspector
Not sure which type suits your job? See our full comparison guide →
Honest Limitations
What Verification Does and Doesn't Mean
We want buyers to have a clear picture of what Specta's process does and does not provide.
An honest account
What it does mean
The inspector has completed Specta's training and passed the quiz
A sample inspection has been reviewed and approved by Specta
The inspector has committed to a documented conduct standard
Verified Professionals have had their licence checked by admin
No inspector is approved automatically — all go through human review
What it doesn't mean
Specta has observed an inspector on a real job
Every individual inspection will meet the same standard
Community Inspectors hold a professional licence
Approval guarantees any particular quality outcome
Specta certifies the accuracy of any individual report
For Buyers
What to Check Before You Book
Specta's review process is a starting point, not a substitute for your own judgement. Here is what to look at when choosing an inspector for your job.
Read previous client reviews
Inspector profiles show reviews from real completed jobs on the platform. A pattern of detailed, positive reviews from previous clients is a more reliable signal than any platform badge.
Check whether they hold the right licence for your scope
If you need a pest inspection, pest indicator report, or specialist assessment, confirm that the inspector holds the relevant licence before booking. Community Inspectors cannot perform these specialist scopes.
Look at their stated experience and background
Inspectors describe their experience in their profiles. Someone with years in building trades, real estate, or property management will bring practical knowledge beyond the training modules.
Review profiles thoroughly before accepting a quote
Before accepting a quote, review the inspector's credentials, inspector category, past client reviews, and how they've described their approach to your specific job. Once you've confirmed a booking, you can message your inspector directly through Specta — use that to discuss your specific concerns, how they handle inaccessible areas, and the agreed delivery format.
Related Guides
More Useful Pages
Ready to Get Started?
Post an Inspection Request
Free to post. Review the inspectors who apply. Choose who you trust.