Building mapping

Major building repairs rarely become expensive overnight. Cracks, water ingress, failing waterproofing, concrete deterioration and damaged finishes can develop progressively across a building, often without the committee having a clear picture of their extent. By the time the problem becomes urgent, the options can be limited – leaving owners facing unplanned repairs, special levies or significant strata loans. 

H.A.B.S Building Mapping turns the condition of your building into something you can see, document and plan for.

Using rope access and detailed inspection techniques, we map identified defects across the building and provide clear visual documentation showing what was found and where. Defects can then be prioritised according to urgency and risk, giving strata managers and body corporate committees a practical basis for repair planning, budgeting and communication with owners.

The objective is simple: move from reactive repairs to informed building management. Instead of waiting for visible deterioration to become an emergency, Building Mapping creates a documented baseline of the building’s condition so emerging issues can be understood earlier and maintenance expenditure can be planned with greater clarity. 

Building mapping is a process of identifying, recording and providing evidence of building defaults in order to mitigate risks and prioritise repairs providing an effective way for Body Corporates and Strata Managers to manage and budget for buildings they are responsible for.

The building is divided into sections, or “zones”. Each zone is inspected or photographed by rope access technicians, drone, or both. When a visible issue is found — such as concrete cancer, cracking, staining, failed sealant, water damage or loose material — it is photographed and recorded against that exact zone and level.

Instead of saying:
“There is concrete damage somewhere on the upper façade.”

You can say:
“Concrete damage identified on Level 10, Zone 1, with photo evidence attached.”

That makes the issue easier to understand, easier to quote, easier to approve, and easier to monitor over time.

Imagine a 10-storey building with 40 rope access drops.

Each drop is treated as a zone. If our technicians find concrete cancer on Level 10, Zone 1, they photograph the issue and upload it to the building map.

That photo becomes part of the building’s maintenance record. The committee can see:

• where the issue is
• what it looks like
• which level and zone it relates to
• whether it should be monitored, quoted or repaired
• how it compares to future inspections

This removes guesswork and gives everyone the same visual reference point.

✓  Better visibility
See what is actually happening across the building exterior, not just what can be seen from the ground.

✓ Better records
Create a photo-based record of visible defects, locations and condition changes over time.

✓ Better cost management
Accurate quoting, ability to prioritise work, and confidence in meeting safety and building compliance.

✓ Better committee decisions
Body corporate committees can review clear evidence instead of relying on vague descriptions.

✓ Better maintenance planning
Mapping helps separate urgent issues from items that can be monitored, budgeted or staged.

✓ Better continuity
When strata managers, committee members or contractors change, the building record remains useful.

Building mapping can be used to document a wide range of visible external building issues, including:

• concrete cancer and spalling
• cracking
• render damage
• failed sealant
• water staining
• façade staining
• loose or deteriorated materials
• damaged flashings or façade elements
• areas requiring further inspection
• areas suitable for monitoring over time
• cleaning, washing or remedial work locations

Where specialist engineering advice is required, the building map can also help provide clearer visual information for consultants, engineers and repair contractors.