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When you come across that house or building that you have always dreamt of, you might be tempted to buy it instantly. However, this may be one of the greatest mistakes that you can make as far as purchasing real estate is concerned. Buying a home is a great investment, so if you make a mistake in the process, you will end up losing your hard-earned money.
One of the ways to ensure that you make the right decision while making an investment is carrying out a building inspection. During a property inspection, the building is checked to ensure that it is structurally sound before you buy it. The property is also checked for pest damage and other issues to ensure that the right repairs are done before you the deal is closed. This article looks at how to get a building and pest inspection done effectively to avoid an irreversible real estate mistake.
Why Are Building And Pest Inspections Necessary?
A building and pest inspections clause should be included as a condition for the sale when buying any given property. This clause requires that an inspection be sought from a highly qualified building inspector in relation to the condition of the property. A building and pest inspection report gives a thorough breakdown of any issues with a property allowing you to decide whether to purchase it.
The issues identified in this report range from leaking pipes to more severe problems like structural damage and termite damage. Building and pest inspections allow you to know the actual condition of the property. The inspection is designed to protect you from buying a building that is in poor condition. It gives you comprehensive details about all the potential problems before you can invest your hard-earned money in the property. It also ensures that you buy a home meets all Australian building regulations and legislation.
When Should You Get Building And Pest Inspection Services?
Before Buying a Given Property
A pre-purchase building inspection is necessary to ensure that you are buying a property that is in the right condition. If there are defects, the inspection helps recognize them allowing you to have the necessary repairs done by the seller before you close the deal. This helps you save the money and time you would spend doing the repairs after the purchase.
Before Selling Your Property
You can also carry out a property inspection before listing it in the market. This helps ensure that you are selling a property that meets the standards set in the market. The inspection informs you of the areas that need repairs or retouch before selling to make your house or building stand out from the competition in the market. Carrying out the necessary repairs or retouches as indicated in the building inspection report makes your building more attractive to potential buyers, which makes them pay a high price for it.
To Understand the Condition of Your Property
If you built your house ten years ago, carrying out building and pest inspection allows you to understand its current conditions. Keep in mind that with time your home may diminish in quality and value. As a result, the inspection helps identify any parts that need repairs, replacement and other maintenance services to preserve the quality of your home.
What Do Building Inspectors Check For During The Inspection Process?
When you decide to carry out a building and pest inspection, the inspector looks at different parts of your home to give a well-detailed report. Here are some of the things and areas that the property professional will inspect during the inspection process.
Roof Exterior and Space
Your building inspector performs a thorough roof inspection to find out if there are any problems. Water can cause damage to any given building. So, any problem due to water should be solved immediately to avoid leaks. In spite of the fact that roof plumbing is done to control leaking roofs, a lack of regular maintenance can cause water to seep through the roof cavity.
The inspection also involves checking for damaged roof tiles and sheets. If you are buying an older building, the inspector will check the roof frames because they are usually susceptible to splitting, moisture, and bowing. Your inspector examines the roofing system to check if there are any repairs that need to be done before you can buy the property. They also give recommendations on the costs and benefits of the proposed repairs.
External and Internal Walls
Walls are key structures of a building. During a pre-purchase inspection, the building inspector will check both the internal and external walls of the property for any hidden problems. If there is an issue, the building inspector will include it in the report and recommend what needs to be done before you can close the deal.
Windows, Doors, and Frames
When inspecting your potential property, the building and pest inspector checks the frames, doors, and windows. This is critical because damage to any of these parts is an indication that the home you are about to buy has severe damage. For example, drafty doors and windows can be an indication that the building’s foundation is sinking.
Cabinets
During a professional building inspection, all the cabinets in the garage, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and other rooms are checked. The inspection is crucial to ensure that all the cabinets are in good condition and ready for use immediately after you enter a newly-purchased building.
Building’s Underfloors
Building inspections also involve checking the underfloor to find out if it is well ventilated and dry or not. It also involves checking if there are defects or other severe issues. The inspection report will show the actual condition of critical areas like stumps, rot or decay, settlement, and cracks.
Water Leakages and Salt Attacks
Building inspectors will also check if the building has a salt attack problem or not. A rising salt (also known as salt damp) issue mostly affects buildings in Adelaide and can be a hard problem to handle which more often than not results in the decay of building materials such as stones and bricks. The problem is usually mistreated and misunderstood by many people. This is why it is necessary to hire a professional inspector with vast knowledge on the issue to perform the job.
The other major thing the inspection involves is checking if there are water leaks. If there are signs of water leaks, the professional uses a moisture meter to determine if the leak is passive or active. They will check if there are leaking baths and showers. This ensures you buy a property that is not at any risk of water damage.
Electrical Hazards
The inspection also involves checking your electrical system to ensure that all the features in the building are working perfectly. All the electrical appliances are checked to ensure they are in the right condition. They also check for all electrical hazards to ensure that the property you are about to buy is safe.
Pest Infestation
Property inspection also involves checking whether the building is infested with pests. The inspector will check for infestations from pests such as termites, ants, wasps, and cockroaches. A pest inspection includes a comprehensive and careful examination outside and inside the home. During the process, your pest inspector looks for evidence of all types of pests.
They check for evidence of past pest activities and conditions that can put the building at risk of pest infestations. This is necessary because pest damage compromises the quality of a building, so it is necessary to be sure you are buying a pest-free property.
Some of the areas the inspector focuses on include the subfloor, all the rooms, fences, roof voids, outbuildings like sheds, retaining walls, and stumps.
Should You Be Present During Property Inspections?
During building inspections, you should be present. This is necessary so that you can get clear explanations from the building inspector. You will also be sure that the job is done in the right way and get first-hand experience about the condition of the property you want to invest your money in. If you are not present during the inspection, you should work with a reliable inspector who can give you a well-detailed report highlighting all the current and potential problems.
What Should Be Included In A Pest And Building Inspection Report?
When you have a building and pest inspection carried out, the report should include well-detailed feedback showing the actual condition of the property. The report should include visual inspections of parts of the building like the outdoors, interior, exterior, site, and roof areas. It should show the condition of the building regarding electrical, moisture, and plumbing aspects.
The report should also give maintenance and repair recommendations. It should also have a summary that gives you an idea of the condition of the building compared to other properties of the same age and construction.
Why Should You Hire Professional Building Inspectors?
Building inspections should be done by professional inspection companies with vast experience and knowledge. Hiring the best building inspectors in Australia ensures you get a reliable report that shows the property’s actual condition whether you want to buy or sell. The inspectors give you a report that allows you to take the right steps before buying or selling a property.
Trustworthy building inspectors apply the best techniques and use the right tools. They can also complete the inspection job fast and allow you to buy the right property quickly. Therefore, if you want to carry out a building and pest inspection for a given property, reach out to a reliable local inspector to do the job for you. Call Jim’s on 13 15 46 for a free quote!
