Why Do You Need Pre-Purchase Building Inspections?
What is your idea of a dream home? Some of us want a private library, some want sprawling lawns, others a private theatre. No matter what you’re looking for, making sure that everything is in working order should be a priority. Addressing damage and other problems are of utmost importance, which makes pre-purchase building inspection is a necessity.
Why Do You Need Pre-Purchase Building Inspections?
Pre-purchase building inspections may only seem like a formality to some people. However, there are many reasons these inspections are in your best interest. Some of these include the following:
- You become aware of risks and hazards.
All buildings have some degree of risks and hazards — minimising them should be your top priority. Pre-purchase building inspections allow you to be aware of what these are. From there, you can decide as to whether you should go through with the purchase or not.
- The hazards are evaluated properly.
Several factors can make or break your experience with your new home. Doing a pre-purchase inspection for fire hazards, asbestos, structural issues, and water damage can significantly help. If you believe you can transform this into your dream home despite the hazards, continue with the purchase.
- It can steer you away from bad purchases.
No matter how good the building looks on the outside, you still need to survey it for quality. A pre-purchase building inspection does just this and allows you to find out if it’s worth your money.
- It increases your negotiating power.
Does your pre-purchase inspection show many problems that you’ll need to address? If so, this increases your negotiating power. If you still want the house, you can negotiate based on these problems being present.
- You become aware of potential repair and renovation costs.
Some repairs will cost you more than others. It’s important to be aware of how much you will eventually spend. Doing a pre-purchase building inspection can help you estimate and budget your funds properly.
Building Horror Stories That Can Convince You
Still not convinced? Real-life examples might be able to change your mind. There are horror stories regarding building problems that could have been detected early on.
Fire hazards, asbestos, water damage, and structural damage are among the culprits you need to watch out for. Some of the more recent issues include:
- The 2016 Asbestos Issue: Asbestos is a health hazard that can cause severe respiratory problems when inhaled. In 2016, it was discovered that dozens of Australian building sites used materials contaminated with asbestos. It was found that these had been imported from China, with the sourcing companies claiming that they were asbestos-free. Asbestos is known to spread through the air when the items that contain them are damaged. Thus, the buildings that used asbestos are a severe health hazard.
- Australia’s Water Damage Court Battles: Water damage leads to serious problems that can cause the deterioration of a building. Homeowners all over Australia are resorting to legal options over water damage in their homes. One homeowner had to remove more than 100 litres of water from his apartment after heavy rain. He needed to install a dam in his living room to address the leak. Several homeowners in that building sued the developer.
- The Westconnex Cracks: In July 2020, a building above Westconnex Tunnel in Sydney suddenly showed notable cracks. Residents woke up to damaged tiles and signs of structural distortion in the building. Even though there was little risk of collapse, the residents were still asked to temporarily evacuate.
These are just some examples of the things that you should watch out for when purchasing a building. It would be wise to check for these to make sure that your purchase is well worth it. Be sure to contact an experienced company to do your pre-purchase inspections.
What Should Be Inspected?
A pre-purchase inspection involves more than just checking out the structure itself. Australian law has certain guidelines that pre-purchase inspectors must take note of. The following are among the most important areas to consider when doing a pre-purchase building inspection:
- The interior of the building
- The exterior of the building
- Floors and the sub-floor space
- Roof exteriors, ceilings, and roof space
- The immediate vicinity of the building – this includes drainage, water retention, separate structures, outhouses, and fences.
Checking the above puts you one step closer to getting your dream house. An experienced inspector can tell you about the problem areas, and this allows you to address them efficiently.
Other Inspections That Can Be Useful
While pre-purchase inspections are extremely thorough, they don’t cover everything. You need to consider supplementary inspections to get a full idea of the status of your potential purchase. Some useful inspections include:
- Timber pest inspections
Timber pest inspections are especially important for buildings that have significant amounts of wood. Termites and other wood-boring pests can cause considerable damage, so make sure you don’t overlook them.
- Dilapidation inspections
These inspections are detailed checks for building deterioration and are essential for construction and renovations.
- Defect inspections
These inspections seek out both major and minor defects within the property. The methods used in defect inspections are more comprehensive compared to others.
There are many other inspection options that you can consider alongside these. However, be sure to choose the ones we mentioned as these are useful supplements to a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-Purchase Building Inspections Will Help You Find Your Dream Home
Your dream home should be perfect, but it won’t be if it’s riddled with problems. Pre-purchase building inspections can help you detect these problems before you spend your hard-earned money. If you’re in Newcastle, go for Exceptional Building Inspections. We’re a highly experienced company that can help you find your dream home. You can contact us at 4950 4197 or 0412 188 199.