Marine structural assessment on the Gold Coast.

Scope of inspection — what we check.

• Pile network: Marine-borer probe on every pile at the waterline and 50–100mm below. Sound-test by hammer-tap. Pile-diameter measurement at splash zone. Hardware inspection at pile-cap (bolt corrosion, splits, rotation).
• Structural framing (bearers, stringers, joists): Visual + probe inspection of all horizontal load-transfer members. Particular attention to pile-cap interface joints (where rot starts).
• Decking: Board-by-board visual inspection. Note loose boards, screw / nail corrosion, splits, cupping. Estimate remaining service life.
• Handrail and balustrade: Compliance check against AS 1170 / AS 1657. Hardware corrosion inspection. Glass-panel integrity check.
• Pontoon (if present): BIA-approval documentation check. Buoyancy hull integrity. Gangway hinge and pile-guide condition. Mooring hardware.
• Below-waterline structure: Underwater inspection where feasible (snorkel at low tide). Pile-base condition. Mudline timber inspection.
• Hardware throughout: 316 vs 304 vs galvanised material check. Corrosion rate estimate.
• Regulatory compliance: Form 17 cert (if any). MSQ approval (if any). Body-corporate approval (SCCMA / Hope Harbour).

Report deliverable — what you get.

A 10–20 page PDF report delivered within 5 business days of site visit, containing:

• Property and structure summary with site sketch.
• Photographic record — typically 30–80 photos covering every pile, structural member, hardware connection, balustrade run.
• Pile-by-pile marine-borer probe results with diameter measurements.
• Residual service-life estimate for each major component (deck, bearers, piles, handrail, pontoon).
• Recommended maintenance schedule with budget estimate over the next 1, 5 and 10 years.
• Repair-vs-rebuild call with budget ranges if rebuild is indicated.
• Compliance status against current standards.
• Engineer-cosignature where structural certification is required (additional fee).

Use cases — when you need this.

• Pre-purchase due diligence: Buying a canal-frontage Gold Coast property and the jetty is 25+ years old. The standard pre-purchase building inspection rarely covers the marine structure to any meaningful depth. Our assessment tells you what you’re buying. $1,200–$2,500.
• Pre-sale staging: Selling a canal property and wanting to document the jetty condition to support the asking price OR identify $5K–$20K of repair work that will dramatically improve the sale impression. $800–$1,500.
• Insurance claim documentation: Storm or wake damage has occurred, the insurer wants documented scope of damage and repair estimate. We prepare insurer-formatted scope. $800–$2,000.
• Insurance policy renewal: Some property insurers require periodic structural certificate on canal jetties. We provide. $1,000–$1,500.
• Body-corporate compliance audit: SCCMA / Hope Harbour sometimes commission portfolio-wide jetty audits. Volume pricing available.
• Self-managed maintenance planning: Long-term canal-property owner wanting a documented 10-year maintenance roadmap. $1,200–$1,800.

Why use a marine timber specialist, not a general building inspector.

Standard pre-purchase building inspections (BPI, Houspect, Jim’s Building Inspections) cover the house, the pool fence, and the retaining walls. They typically dedicate under 10 minutes to the jetty — visual check, walk along, photo. They’re not trained to probe for marine-borer attack, not equipped to measure pile diameter at the waterline, and not qualified to issue a structural opinion on marine timber. Our assessment dedicates 60–120 minutes to the marine structure specifically, includes a low-tide pile inspection (timed to suit tide table), and is QBCC-licensed marine timber contractor-signed. On a $2m+ canal property purchase, the $1,500 marine-specific assessment is essential due diligence.

Timeline.

1. Booking: Site visit scheduled within 5–10 days, ideally at low tide for maximum pile inspection. Tide table coordination.
2. Site visit (60–120 min): Full structure walk, probe, sound-test, photograph, measure.
3. Report draft: Written and photo-compiled within 3–5 business days.
4. Delivery: PDF emailed to client (and conveyancer / solicitor if requested) with phone follow-up.