Pre Purchase Building Inspections
Do you really think it is worth the risk to go ahead and buy a property without getting a pre purchase building inspection done? The answer is no. Real estate experts agree that you need to make sure you know what you’re buying. If you don’t you may be exposed to thousands of dollars of repairs down the track. That’s why pre purchase building inspections are essential.
We are a proud member of The Master Inspector Association of Australia. This means you are assured that we abide by their strict code of Ethics.
As an independent home building inspection company, with over 30 years experience in the construction industry we have eye for detail needed to inspect homes – and uncover any issues – both big and small.
We are also a Registered Building Practitioner. In fact, we are classified as ‘Domestic Builder Unlimited‘. This means we can carry out and manage all the components of domestic building work relating to the construction, renovation, improvement or maintenance of a home.
Overview of Pre Purchase Building Inspections
Our pre purchase building inspections will give you peace of mind, as well as potentially saving you a lot of money. Our report will identify all major structural issues. We will even uncover defects where attempts have been made to hide them!
Some of the many things we check for include whether there is any brick and mortar deterioration. Other common thing we check for include poor external drainage, cracked walls, rising damp and subsiding foundations.
We always highlight if there is any damage to the roof. This includes broken tiles and sheets as well as damaged drain pipes and gutters. We also let you know about any small defects so there are no surprises if you decide to purchase the property. well as damaged drain pipes and gutters. If there are any small defects, we will let you know about them as well. As a result, there will be no costly surprises if you decide to purchase the property.
Our Pre Purchase Building Checklist Includes:
Interior:
- Flooring – including floorboards, tiling and skirting boards
- Plasterwork, paintwork and sealants
- Ceilings – including cornice lines
- Check for cracks in the wall and signs of movement in the cornices
- Windows – make sure they can be opened
- All fixtures and fittings
- Bathrooms – including showers, bathtubs, vanities, toilets etc
- Hot water system not leaking
- Kitchens -including benches, splashbacks, shelving, pantry etc
- Laundry – including troughs and benches
- Make sure good water pressure
- Test to make sure water drains away
- Doors – including handles, locks and door margins
- Dampness check
- Defective chimneys
- Smoke detectors working
- Working safety switches
- Air conditioners and heaters working (where built in)
- Stairs and banisters
- Light switches work
Exterior:
- Roof frame
- Cracked external walls
- Chimneys
- Gutters and drain pipes
- Brickwork and cladding
- Tree root damage
- Dampness
- Fire hazards
- Balconies
- Steps, driveways and pathways – especially if any trip hazards
- Fences
- Swimming pool safety check (if relevant)
- Condition of patios, verandahs, pergolas and decking
- Poor water drainage
- Subsiding foundations
- Windows and doors are sealed from the weather
- Condition of exterior paint
- Outdoor lighting is working
- Outdoor fireplace is functioning
- Skylights
Roof:
- Look for damaged roof tiles, sheets and cappings
- Check that there is no sign of sagging of the roof line
- Check that corrugated iron sheets are in good condition and nailed down.
- Make sure downpipes & gutters don’t leak, are not blocked or rusting
- Eves and fascias are in good condition
- Flues and chimneys are structurally safe and the flashings secure
- Determine if roof cavity has been insulated
- Check for electrical wiring that doesn’t meet Australian standards
Common Defects Found in Pre Purchase Building Inspections
We find lots of defects when we do pre purchase building inspections. The following are examples of some of the more common defects:
Broken structural bearer
Storm water drain damage by tree roots
Structural cracking in brickwork
Leaking plumbing causing damage to floorboards