Purchasing a house is a huge event in anyone’s life, bringing with it lots of decisions and dilemmas which can seem daunting at first. Surround yourself with a good team of people who will be able to help you make the best decisions and ensure that things will run much more smoothly leaving you with less stress. I’ve decided to kick off my blog with building inspections because when you’re looking into investing in property, a building inspection can be the fastest way to educate yourself on things that you need to look out for.
Building Inspections
Once you have a house in mind, you’ll want to double triple check that everything is in full working order before you begin the purchasing process by employing a certified building inspector to carry out a full inspection on the property. It’s very important that you find an inspector who has proven experience and complies with the Australian standards required for Building and Timber Pest Inspections. It’s also hugely beneficial to find a building inspection company with Professional Indemnity Insurance, just in case anything goes wrong.
Quick Turnaround?
The property market doesn’t wait for people so you’ll want to ask your potential building inspector how long it would take for them to turn around the post inspection report. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 5-7 days for a report and knowing the results as soon as possible will help you to make quick decisions and avoid missing out.
As well as finding a building inspector who you trust to turn around a good report for you, you may also want to consider speaking to them about any potential issues they think are likely to arise or whether any of the systems within the property are nearing the end of their lifespan.
Access all areas?
There are many areas in a property that may be difficult to access or present safety issues for inspectors. Check with your potential building inspector whether they’ll be able to access and inspect the following:
- Roof and Roof Space
- Lofts
- Under floorboards
- Patios and Decking
Bad Results?
Very few properties will be completely flawless. Even New Construction homes should always have building inspections before you purchase them so never take it for granted that things will be fine.
Another thing to consider is whether your home is nearby to a childcare adelaide centre – especially if you have kids!
Talk to your potential building inspector about how they may be able to help with any findings that they present to you in their report. Although inspection companies will always remain independent and should not offer quotes or estimates for renovation work, they may have good links with building companies or be able to recommend people who can help.
Attending the Building Inspection
You’ll want to ask your potential building inspector whether you are able to attend the inspection with them. Although many companies discourage this, it can in fact be very useful for you to accompany them and take pictures if needed. This will help you to visualize areas or issues that may be mentioned in the report and enable you to really understand and get the most from it.
Government websites are also fantastic sources for tips, advice and policies about purchasing a house and what to know. Check out sa.gov.au for more Adelaide-related information… or wait for my next post!