You finally found a property. Congratulations!
You're ready to sign the contract and make this place yours.
While the property might tick all the boxes for location, size, style etc, the reality is that you won't know if it's structurally sound or has any costly issues until you get a thorough inspection.
This is where you engage a Building & Pest Inspector to carry out one last important piece of research.
It’s an additional cost and the results could mean that you don't proceed, but that's money very well spent. A few hundred of dollar up front that save you thousands of dollars in the future.
When does an inspector get involved?
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Contracts are exchanged, you normally usually have a one week cooling off period in which you can conduct these types of enquiries. Depending on market conditions & demand for the property, this cooling off period may or may not be available.
You may need to commit to an inspection BEFORE committing to the property. Yes, it may cost you a few hundred dollars but save you a nightmare.
If you are not sure who to use, feel free to ask us, we have your conveyancer or solicitor, as they are likely to have some names to hand.reputable inspectors we can recommend.
What do they do?
They inspect accessible areas (interior, exterior, roof void, garages, garden areas and granny flats) and they will look for things like:
· Ceilings & Walls – issues with plasterboard, nails popping, defective lining, cracking, dampness and water damage, bent studs, significant distortion, plaster board not fixed adequately and minor damage;
· Floors and floor coverings - Springy floor, floors not level, borer damage, wood rot or water damage floors, large cracks, deviations & defects in concrete, slab edge exposure compliance, incorrect placement of reinforcement, incorrect placement of concrete.
· Windows - Sash operation, broken glass, fittings and hardware, water, rot, termites, corrosion, workmanship and flashings;
· Joinery - Doors, architraves, skirtings and closets, defective hardware, corroded or rusted fittings, damaged doors, badly fitted doors and general workmanship;
· Kitchen - Bench tops, cupboard structure, operation & quality, plumbing and drainage, water hammer, water pressure, damage to components, tiles and workmanship;
· Bathroom/WC/Laundry etc - Grade of floor, floor waste, shower recess, broken glass, leaking plumbing, water pressure & hammer, tiles, water proofing, over flow, broken or cracked pan, cistern operation, vanity condition and wash basin, ventilation, workmanship.
· Roof void - Roofing timbers, construction method, insulation, sarking, party walls, integrity and workmanship;
· Sub floor - Bearers and joists, piers, stumps, timber framing, dampness, ventilation, drainage, leaking plumbing, debris, ant caps, termite preventatives, workmanship.
· Exterior - Brick work, mortar, cladding, visible flashings, weep holes, joint sealants, protective coatings (paint), fascias, gutters, down pipes, roof covering, pitch of roof is acceptable, chimney flashings, window flashings, lintels, drainage, pergolas/decks, windows, ant caps, eave linings, garden areas (eg. Retaining walls, dispersion pits, natural ground level and possible drainage problems).
You have options. Speak to us & we can take you through them.
If you have any questions about your situation, contact me via leah@stevensconveyancing.com.au or call 0414 894 031 to discuss.
Please note that the information contained in this article is of a general nature only and does not constitute legal advice. Stevens Conveyancing does not take responsibility for any errors or omissions obtained from the use of this information.