For Buyers & Property Owners
What You Receive After an Inspection on Specta
The format and scope of your findings are agreed before the inspection happens — not after. Here is what that looks like in practice, and what shapes the final output.
Before You Confirm
Scope Is Agreed Before the Inspection, Not After
No surprises about what you'll receive
When you post a request on Specta, you describe what you need — the property address and type, any specific concerns or areas of focus, and the delivery format you expect. Inspectors who apply for the job see these requirements before they submit a quote.
Before you confirm a booking, you and the inspector agree on exactly what the inspection will cover and what will be delivered. The agreed format — written findings, photographs, video, or a combination — is part of the booking. Your payment is placed in escrow at that point, and is only released once the agreed findings have been delivered to you.
If the scope you need is not what the inspector quoted for, you do not have to accept their application. You can review multiple applicants and confirm only when you are satisfied the scope matches what you need.
Deliverable Types
What Inspectors Can Deliver
These are the types of deliverables available through Specta. What you receive depends on what you specify in your request and what is agreed before booking.
Written Findings
The inspector documents what they observed during the inspection in plain, clear language. This covers the areas agreed in the inspection scope — visible structural condition, moisture indicators, roof, fittings, subfloor if accessible, and any other areas included in the brief.
Findings describe what is visible. Inspectors are trained not to certify things they cannot confirm — if an area was inaccessible, that is noted rather than omitted.
Photographs
Visual documentation of the property condition. Inspectors follow a documented photo standard: a wide overview shot of each area, then medium and close-up shots for any defects or areas of concern. Each issue is captured in context so you understand where it is and what surrounds it.
The 3-shot rule applies to defects — context, medium, and close-up — so you have a complete visual record rather than isolated images that are hard to interpret.
Video Walkthrough
A slow, narrated walkthrough of the property filmed on-site. The inspector moves systematically through each area, pointing out anything of note. Video is particularly useful if you cannot attend the property in person.
Video must be requested and agreed upfront — it is not included automatically. Specify this requirement when posting your request and confirm it with the inspector before booking.
Notes on Inaccessible Areas
If an area cannot be accessed during the inspection — a locked subfloor, a restricted roof void, areas behind permanent fixtures — the inspector is trained to note this explicitly rather than skipping it.
Knowing what was not inspected is as useful as knowing what was. A finding that says 'subfloor not accessible — recommend dedicated access inspection' gives you actionable information.
What Shapes the Output
Four Things That Affect What You Receive
The same platform, the same process — but the final output varies based on four factors.
What you specify in your request
When you post a request, you set the inspection scope — property type, size, and any specific concerns or areas you want focused on. The more detail you provide, the more targeted the inspection can be.
The inspector's category
Community Inspectors cover general visible condition across residential and commercial properties. Verified Professionals have had a professional licence verified by Specta and can access jobs posted as Verified Professional only. If your scope requires a specific licence type — such as a pest inspector licence — confirm the inspector holds it before booking.
The delivery format you agree on
Before confirming a booking, you and the inspector agree on what the findings will include — written report, photographs, video, or a combination. The format is part of the agreement, not a surprise after the fact.
The property itself
Some areas may be inaccessible during a standard inspection. Properties with sealed subfloors, restricted roof access, or areas behind permanent fixtures may require a follow-up specialist inspection for those specific areas.
Unsure which inspector category suits your job? See the Community vs Verified Professional comparison →
Delivery
How Findings Reach You
Delivered digitally through Specta
All findings are delivered through the Specta platform after the inspection is complete. You access them through your account — from any device, wherever you are. This is particularly useful if you are an interstate or remote buyer who cannot attend the property in person.
Payment is held in escrow from the point of booking confirmation until findings are delivered. It is not released to the inspector until you have received the agreed report. If you have a concern about what was delivered, contact Specta support at [email protected].
After the Inspection
How to Use Your Findings
The findings are yours to act on as you see fit. Here are the most common ways clients use them.
Pre-purchase decision-making
Use the findings to decide whether to proceed with a purchase, negotiate on price, request remediation before settlement, or walk away. The inspection gives you a more complete picture than the listing photos and a 30-minute open.
Understanding maintenance priorities
Even outside a purchase context, an inspection gives you a current view of a property's condition and flags areas that may need attention — useful for investment properties, inherited properties, or homes you have not visited recently.
Pre-tenancy and end-of-tenancy baseline
A condition report at the start or end of a tenancy creates an objective record for both landlord and tenant. Findings and photographs document the property's state at a specific point in time.
Pre-sale awareness
Arranging an inspection before listing a property for sale can surface issues that a buyer's inspector would likely find — giving you the option to address them before they become a negotiation point.
Related Guides
More Useful Pages
Know What to Expect
Post Your Inspection Request
Agree the scope upfront. Receive findings digitally. Payment protected until delivery.