Dilapidation Reports for Infrastructure Projects in Perth

We connect Perth property owners with qualified building surveyors who document property condition before government road, rail, tunnelling and utility works begin — protecting your rights and providing evidence if damage occurs.

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Infrastructure Works That Can Damage Perth Properties

Large-scale government and utility projects involve heavy machinery, deep excavation, vibration and ground movement that can affect residential and commercial properties well beyond the immediate construction zone. Perth's ongoing infrastructure investment makes this a growing concern for property owners across the metropolitan area.

Road Widening and Upgrades

Road construction involves heavy rolling, excavation, compaction and sometimes piling for bridges and retaining walls. Properties fronting upgraded roads are particularly vulnerable to vibration damage, cracked walls and disturbed footings.

Rail and Tunnelling

Tunnel boring machines, cut-and-cover construction and rail corridor works generate sustained vibration and can alter groundwater levels. Properties along Perth rail corridors may experience settlement, cracking and structural movement.

Water Mains and Sewer Renewal

Trenching for water and sewer pipelines involves excavation close to property boundaries, dewatering that can lower the water table and compaction that transmits vibration through Perth's sandy soils to nearby foundations.

Power Undergrounding

State Underground Power Program works require trenching through verges and sometimes private property. Excavation close to buildings, combined with heavy vehicle movements on residential streets, can cause cosmetic and structural damage.

Major Perth Infrastructure Projects

Perth is experiencing one of the largest infrastructure investment programmes in Western Australian history. Several major projects are currently underway or planned, and property owners near these corridors should consider a dilapidation report.

METRONET

Perth's transformative rail network expansion includes the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, the Byford Rail Extension and station upgrades across multiple lines. Tunnel boring, elevated structures and station construction affect thousands of properties along each corridor. Property owners within the designated zone of influence should ensure they have a comprehensive dilapidation report before construction activity reaches their area.

Use our METRONET checker tool to assess your property

Tonkin Highway Extension and Upgrades

The Tonkin Highway widening and grade separations involve significant earthworks, bridge construction and road realignment. Residential properties along the corridor from Morley to Mundijong face potential vibration, dust and ground movement impacts.

Westport and Outer Harbour

The planned relocation of container port facilities to Kwinana includes new road and rail corridors, a major harbour development and associated infrastructure upgrades. Properties in the Cockburn, Kwinana and Rockingham corridors may be affected over the coming construction phases.

Water Corporation Network Upgrades

Ongoing renewal of aging water mains, sewer upgrades and drainage improvements across Perth suburbs. These works often occur in established residential streets where properties are close to trenching and excavation activity.

Your Rights as a Perth Property Owner

When government or utility infrastructure works are planned near your Perth property, you have specific rights and options to protect yourself. Understanding these rights is the first step in ensuring your property is properly documented before works begin.

Right to Be Notified

Government agencies and contractors are generally required to notify affected property owners before major works commence. This notification should include the nature and duration of works, and contact details for enquiries.

Right to Request a Condition Assessment

You can request that the project authority arrange a dilapidation report for your property. For major projects, this is often provided at no cost to the property owner. For smaller works, you may need to arrange your own report.

Right to Claim for Damage

If your property is damaged by infrastructure works, you can lodge a claim with the responsible authority. A pre-existing dilapidation report dramatically strengthens your claim by providing clear evidence of the property's condition before works started.

Right to Independent Assessment

Even if the project authority commissions their own report, you have the right to arrange an independent assessment at your own cost. This can be valuable if you disagree with the scope or findings of the authority's report.

Not sure if you need a report? Use our assessment tool to evaluate your situation and understand your options.

What an Infrastructure Dilapidation Report Documents

Infrastructure projects can affect properties in ways that differ from typical residential or commercial construction. The surveyor focuses on elements most vulnerable to the specific type of works occurring nearby.

Structural Elements

Foundation and footing condition
Wall cracks — location, width and pattern
Floor level variations and settlement indicators
Structural frame alignment and connections
Roof structure and cladding condition

External and Services

Driveways, paths and retaining walls
Boundary fencing and gates
Swimming pools and water features
Water supply and drainage connections
Gas and electrical service entry points

For properties near vibration-intensive works such as tunnelling or pile driving, the surveyor may also install crack monitors or recommend vibration monitoring to track any movement during the construction period.

How to Prepare When Infrastructure Works Are Announced

If you receive notification of upcoming infrastructure works near your Perth property, taking prompt action gives you the strongest possible protection.

Contact the Project Office

Ask whether dilapidation reports will be provided for your property. Request written confirmation of the works timeline and scope.

Arrange Your Own Report

If the authority will not provide a report, or you want an independent assessment, contact us for an obligation-free quote from a qualified surveyor.

Document Everything

Keep copies of all correspondence, notifications and the dilapidation report. Take your own dated photographs as a supplementary record.

Infrastructure Dilapidation Report FAQs

Yes. When a government agency or its contractor undertakes infrastructure works near your Perth property, you have the right to request a dilapidation report. For major projects like METRONET, the project authority often commissions reports for properties within the designated zone of influence. For smaller works such as road upgrades or water main renewals, you may need to proactively request a report from the responsible authority or arrange your own through an independent surveyor.

If the responsible authority declines to commission a report, you can arrange your own independent dilapidation report. The cost is your responsibility upfront, but it becomes critical evidence if damage occurs. Keep written records of your request and their refusal. In Western Australia, property owners may pursue damage claims through the State Administrative Tribunal or civil courts, and an independent report strengthens your position significantly.

The most effective way to prove construction-related damage is through a pre-construction and post-construction dilapidation report comparison. The pre-construction report establishes a documented baseline, and the post-construction report identifies any changes. A qualified surveyor can assess whether new damage is consistent with the type of construction activity that occurred. Without a baseline report, proving causation becomes extremely difficult.

METRONET and its delivery partners typically commission dilapidation reports for properties within a defined zone of influence along each rail corridor. The extent of this zone varies by project stage and construction method. If your property is near a METRONET project and you have not been contacted, use our METRONET checker tool or contact the project office directly to enquire about your eligibility for a condition assessment.

The assessment zone depends on the type of works. Road resurfacing and footpath works typically affect properties within 10 to 15 metres. Sewer and water main trenching affects properties within 15 to 30 metres. Tunnelling and deep excavation can impact properties up to 50 to 100 metres away depending on soil conditions. Pile driving and vibro-compaction may affect properties within 30 to 50 metres. Perth sandy soils can transmit vibration further than clay, making larger assessment zones advisable.

Protect Your Property Before Infrastructure Works Begin

We connect you with qualified building surveyors experienced in infrastructure project dilapidation reporting across Perth. Whether it is METRONET, road upgrades or utility renewals, get your property documented before works start.

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