A building inspection, also known as a property or house inspection is designed to give you independent and objective advice about the physical state of a building.
This advice enables you to make an informed decision, usually about whether to purchase a property or not.
Inspection reports are a snapshot in time, therefore, you should always ensure you refer to a current inspection.
Building inspections are also carried out for the purpose of risk management, new construction management, dispute resolution, insurance claims, compliance with legislation and regulations and to inform renovation and extension decisions.
Who needs a Building Inspection?
Inspections are generally ordered in the process of buying or selling a home.
An inspection may also be required if you discover that your home has developed a building defect over time or as a consequence of an incident.
Our clients include:
- Home buyers and sellers.
- Residential property investors.
- Property managers including body corporate entities and strata title managers.
- Owners of property including government and private agencies and businesses.
- Building and construction contractors.
Why have a Building Inspection?
An inspection acts as a snapshot in time which identifies safety hazards and any major or minor defects.
Inspection reports have a number of purposes and benefits however the primary reason to conduct an inspection is to ensure that the home you are buying or occupying is safe and doesn’t pose a health risk to occupants.
The major reasons to have a building inspection are outlined below:
Without expert knowledge of construction methods and materials, many defects are concealed and difficult to detect.
- Most people won’t get onto the roof, into the roof and under the floor of a home during their own inspections of a property which may mean potentially significant and costly defects would be missed.
- Many individuals don’t have the expertise or time to assess the potential cost and works implications of the defects that are easily identified or obvious.
- Interstate investors may buy property ‘online’ and a building inspection allows them to get independent advice and information about a property rather than relying on the advice of agents who have a vested interest in the sale proceeding.
- You can rely on the findings of a building inspection as they are backed by Professional Indemnity insurance provisions, the advice of a ‘mate’ or ‘friend’ in the building trade doesn’t have the same assurances.
- Prevent financial loss which may occur if you find major defects and safety hazards.
- Assist you to plan for repairs and renovation and their likely cost.
- Determine the rate of return on potential investments given the likely maintenance requirements.
- Aid in negotiations for the sale or purchase of a property.
Building inspections are particularly critical when considering that a home or building may have Asbestos or other potential contaminants present including mould or lead products which are known health hazards.
When purchasing a building many people will plan to spend up to their maximum financial capacity to acquire the property. Without a building inspection these investors and home owners may then find themselves unable to meet the costs of repair works required to address defects.
When should I get a Building Inspection done?
The timing of a building inspection depends on your situation and mostly the method of sale.
As the findings of a building inspection report may cause you to withdraw an offer you should always ensure that you are informed of your rights and options. We recommend that you engage a conveyancer or settlement agent as early as possible.
Auctions
Organise the inspection prior to the auction date and as early as you can.
You may then also be in a position to make a confident and informed offer prior to the auction itself.
The general risk with ordering a building inspection prior to auction is that you may not be the successful bidder.
The larger risk is bidding at auction and buying a property which has not had a building inspection completed. This could mean your renovation plans and savings go out the door.
With up to 1 in 5 homes being subject to termite damage at some point in their life cycle and approximately 1/3 of all homes being sold with a major defect of some type it is not worth skipping a building inspection.
We have also seen many examples where people have purchased a property and come to us after the auction when they discover that their budget for their new kitchen is now going to go on simply making the property water tight, addressing rising damp or dodgy repair jobs.
Private or Fixed Date Sales & Expressions of Interest
If you are planning to buy a home or any property, to occupy or as an investment, you should make any verbal or written offer conditional on a building and termite inspection at least.
This will protect you as the buyer in the instance that our building inspector finds a major defect which may persuade you to no longer pursue the property.
Cost of Building Inspections
A cheap building inspection report can be obtained from some providers who offer to reduce their price in return for providing a verbal report only.
Verbal reports cannot be relied on you will also be exposing yourself to significant risk.
Cheap building inspectors who provide verbal report options may also be less reliable and diligent overall.
You should always check their insurances and relevant qualifications to ensure you are receiving a high quality service.
What is the Inspection Process
Essential Property Inspections will visit the property to conduct a detailed property inspection at the arranged time. If you are able to attend, we would be more than happy to discuss any issues or concerns you may have.
During the property inspection we will inspect every aspect of the property, including:
- Exterior of the building
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Floors
- Windows and Window Frames
- Doors and Door Frames
- Plastering
- Painting
- Bathrooms, En-suites, Kitchen, Laundry, WC
- Stairs
- Balustrades and Handrails
- Toilets
- Baths
- Shower recess
- Basins
- Taps
- Bench tops
- Cabinets
- Tiling
- Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings
- Hot Water Units
- Rising Damp
- Moisture in wet areas
- Roof space framing structures
- Roof coverings
- Gutters
- Skylights
- Vents and Flues
- Flashings
- Valleys
- Eaves
- Fascias and Barges
- Downpipes
- Insulation
- Downlight safety
- Sarking
- Subfloor supports
- Ventilation
- Drainage
- Piers
- Exterior walls including Cladding
- Lintels
- Doors
- Windows
- Pergolas
- Decking
- Patios
- Balconies
- Within 30m of the house and within the boundaries of the site
- Fencing
- Retaining walls
- Paths
- Driveways and water drainage
- Garages
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