“What is involved in a building inspection?”
“How much will it cost me?”
“Is it really that important to get one done when buying a property?”
These questions give you nightmares, don’t they? If yes, then you have just hit the right page. Here we bring to you some really relevant facts on building inspections.
What exactly is a building inspection?
To start off, building inspection is a report on the current condition of the property after a physical analysis of a home. It is important to get your property checked before handover to avoid any perturbing surprises in the future. Also, any building if inspected properly before purchase, will give you any information that you need to guide your decision on following through with the purchase.
When is the best time to do an inspection?
In the most ideal situation, building inspections must be carried out way before by a seller before you make a purchase. This is not a very practical process though as most sellers don’t do this. And even if they did, it’s best to get your own inspection done so you know exactly what issues have come up. In most cases, the buyer will include building inspection as a condition before purchasing any property.
What are the major considerations in a pre-purchase building inspection?
- Will you get a report in time
- Who is paying for the report
- What type of house repairs & structural defects are you willing to take on if anything comes up
- Actions needed if the inspector finds that the house needs some work
In the event of any negative report in the pre-purchase inspection, the seller is usually given the option to fix all issues, within a stated time frame. In a case where the seller does not comply, the buyer must have the option of terminating the contract. The other option is for the buyer to ask for a discount on the purchase price to cover any repairs.
| Timber Pest Inspection | Electrical Inspection | Plumbing Inspection |
| Asbestos Inspection | Mechanical Services | Drainage Inspection |
| Mould Inspection | Appliances Inspection | Air-conditioning Inspection |
| Alarm/Intercom/Data Systems | Structural (Engineer) | Geotechnical Inspection |
| Durability of Exposed Surfaces | Hydraulics Inspection | Swimming Pool Inspection |
| Council Plan Inspection | Hazards Inspection | Fire/Chimney Inspection |
| Estimating Report | Garage Door Mechanical | Gas fitting Inspection |
What does an inspection report consist of?
Any building inspection report must be tailored to suit the age of the property. When buying a recently built home, it only makes sense to have a thorough inspection of the property’s fittings and fixtures, in addition to the structural survey.
The building inspection report must also take into consideration the normal wear and tear of the property. So for buyers who are looking to buy an existing property, there should be a thorough check of the old wiring, pipelines and gardens as well. An older home will need to be checked for pest growth, rust as well as architectural issues. A home inspection is never a waste of money because you’re insuring yourself that you purchased a home that is structurally sound and free of termites.