Pre-Purchase Building and Pest Inspection

Pros and Cons of DIY and Melbourne Property Inspections

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Property buying can be a thrilling new chapter in your life. Yet, it’s both a significant financial commitment and a long-term investment. This is where pre-purchase property inspections come into play. As prospective buyers in Melbourne, whether you opt for a DIY approach or engage the services of qualified Melbourne property inspections, there are certain nuances you must consider.

The Allure of DIY Inspections: An Approach with Valour or a Pitfall in Disguise?

Engaging in a DIY project bears an earnest charm, particularly for those who adore the gratification of scratching off tasks from their own to-do lists. The concept is tempting: you get to investigate the nooks and corners of your prospective property personally, marking your control over all steps undertaken.

Firstly, it allows you to save upfront costs. By forgoing professional pre-purchase property inspections, you effectively dodge the inspection fees. Furthermore, you’ve got the freedom to adjust your schedule, not having to overlap with anyone else’s calendar.

But here’s the downside: inexperience in building inspections could lead to missed potential structural issues. Additionally, you risk being overly invested emotionally, which could result in an impartial evaluation of the property. That’s why even the most experienced property enthusiasts should be aware of these drawbacks before choosing the DIY route.

Professional Pre Purchase Building Inspection Melbourne: An Investment Worth Making?

On the other side of the spectrum, we have professional Melbourne property inspections. By having a squad of skilled inspectors, you’re ensuring that not a single brick goes unchecked.

Professional inspections bring a heavy dosage of expertise to the table. These experts are well-versed in spotting defaults that may be invisible to an untrained eye. Adding to this, they follow strict rules and regulations, bringing objectivity to the whole process.

Your detailed and unbiased report from a professional pre-purchase building inspection in Melbourne can be utilised during price negotiations or be employed as a tool to back out of the contract if significant defects are discovered.

However, from a time commitment perspective, procuring the services of a professional requires coordination with their available slots. Plus, there’s a fee for this service, which might feel like a needless expenditure, particularly to budget-conscious buyers.

Melbourne Property Inspections: A Middle Ground?

For those who wish to blend the best of both worlds, a hybrid approach could be the solution. A hands-on preliminary inspection by the buyer, followed by a detailed probe by a professional, can balance costs with thoroughness.

An informed decision can only be made when the pros and cons are considered in light of personal preferences and expertise levels.

To DIY or Not?

Both DIY and professional Melbourne property inspections come with their own set of benefits and drawbacks. DIY presents a cost-effective path, and yet, there’s a risk of missing critical flaws due to a lack of expertise. Conversely, professional pre-purchase building inspections in Melbourne offer a foolproof check, albeit at an additional cost.

The Final Thought

Whether you’re leaning toward carrying out inspections yourself or enlisting the help of tamper-proof professionals, BPIM can provide guidance to navigate the complex world of property inspections. A property investment is a long-term commitment. So, why settle for uncertainty when you can get top-tier property inspections in Melbourne from BPIM? Get in touch today with our friendly, professional, and informative inspectors, or visit our website at BPIM.

 

FAQs for Pre-Purchase Property Inspections

What"s covered in a pre-purchase building inspection report in Melbourne?

This covers the condition of the building"s interior and exterior, including the roof, underfloor space, site, and existing structural damage.

Can I do a pre-purchase property inspection myself?

Technically yes, but without specific expertise, DIY enthusiasts run the risk of overseeing major defects and issues.


How long do professional Melbourne property inspections take?

Professional property inspections can take a few hours, depending on the property’s size and condition.


How can professional building inspections help in purchasing a property?

Professional building inspections provide a detailed and unbiased report about the state of the property. This information can prove crucial in negotiating the sale price or determining if the property is a sound investment.


Can a property fail the pre-purchase property inspection?

The aim of an inspection is not to pass or fail a property. Instead, its purpose is to outline any existing or potential issues so that buyers can make an informed decision.


What if a problem is detected during my pre-purchase building inspection in Melbourne?

If a significant issue is discovered during the inspection, the buyer can use the report to either negotiate for a lower price or decide to seek a different property altogether.


Are pre-purchase property inspections worth the cost?

Absolutely. A professionally conducted property inspection can uncover hidden issues that could eventually lead to costly repairs. Contact BPIM now!


House Inspection

What’s Included in a Building Property Inspection Report?

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Before purchasing a home, or if you own a property and want it to be thoroughly inspected, a building property inspection and the accompanying report can be worth their weight in gold. By understanding the presence of any issues with the property, you can obtain a fairer and more realistic impression of the actual value of the property as well as have the forewarning of any necessary or desired repairs or maintenance.

A General Overview of a Building Property Inspection Report

What’s included in a building property inspection report? As you might imagine, the report contains all of the key findings of the building property inspection, which is carried out in person by qualified engineers and surveyors that can often see problems or their symptoms that may go unnoticed by prospective buyers or homeowners themselves.

The report generally includes all of the results of the findings from the building property inspection as well as photographs. The findings are designed to be written in clear and plain English, with minimal engineering jargon, so that anyone reading the report should be able to clearly identify and quantify any issues with the property.

Interior & Exterior Inspection

Every property building inspection includes a thorough inspection of the entire property, including interior and exterior of the structure within the property lines.

The interior inspection includes a detailed analysis of the structural elements of the building, including the walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as an inspection of the electrical systems, plumbing and drainage, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, for example.

The exterior inspection includes all outdoor structural elements such as the walls, facade, masonry, siding, roof and gutters, the foundation footers and walls, as well as outdoor fixtures such as doors and windows.

Ancillary Structures

For properties with garages, patios, balconies, decks, fences, retaining walls or other landscaping present, the building property inspection report will consider any faults or defects with these elements as well as whether they are in need of immediate repair or if maintenance is desirable.

Pests & Rodents

Certain pests and rodents can be problematic in Melbourne and in other climates, potentially posing a severe risk of damage such as in the case of termites. Rodents, on the other hand, may pose various health and hygiene risks if they fester around the property. The building property inspection report will account for the presence (or symptoms) of pests and/or rodents, including mice and termites, as well as a damage assessment.

Fire Safety & Compliance

Residential properties should be safe and compliant, so a building property inspection report will also consider any fire safety measures present as well as the presence and operability of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors as well as the overall ventilation of the property.

Homes with swimming pools will also be inspected for any health and safety hazards that may be present with or around the pool itself.

Once the inspection has been completed, the engineers and surveyors will diligently assemble the report and include any relevant issues in plain English so that everyone involved in the transaction of the property will be well aware of any needed or desirable repairs or maintenance.

Building Property Inspections

Retain Building Property Inspections for affordable, thorough and accurate building property inspection reports.

engineer-inspection

5 Tips to Identify the Presence of Termites & Pests on a Property

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Melbourne and other regions in Southern Victoria can be a great place for us humans to call home, but it just so happens to also be quite accommodating to other pests as well. Possums, rodents, spiders, mosquitoes and other pests can sometimes be unavoidable, but their potential to damage your property can vary from not at all to highly likely. Perhaps no other pest is as pernicious as the little termite, however.

Melbourne’s termites tend to be subterranean, attracted by the humidity and prone to building underground tunnels of mud. Out of sight, out of mind does not apply here; these pests come up from their underground abode to feast on wooden structures, which could include your home.

Below are five key tips to help you identify the presence of termites and pests on your property:

  • Look for Tracks & Droppings

A telltale sign of a potential infestation of rodents or other pests is the presence of visible tracks or droppings. Rats and other rodents tend to crawl along baseboards and walls, leaving behind tracks for their own scent as well as cylindrical-shaped droppings. Termite droppings are of course much smaller and look like sawdust.

  • Signs of Physical Damage

Sometimes, it’s obvious that termites or other pests have damaged property, but quite often it isn’t obvious at all. Termites tend to eat away at wooden furniture, walls, floorboards, and other structural elements from the inside. Subsequently, the wood can look perfectly fine at first glance yet be nearly hollow and potentially at risk of collapse from the inside.

Warped or sagging floorboards, for example, may be a sign of a termite infestation gradually eating away at the structure.

Independent Building Inspectors

  • Foul Odours

Typically, termites leave behind a foul odour wherever they’ve been feasting. The smell is a little like mould, which you shouldn’t want in your home to begin with, so it should be a sign that there is a problem in need of resolving.

The types of termites that tend to infest homes in Melbourne enjoy humidity and dampness, so the odour they give off tends to be more mouldy than pungent. Pungent odours may be a sign of rodents or other pests.

  • Hives, Mounds, or Nests

Every pest has got a place to call home, and finding a nest, hive, mound or other such structure can be a dead giveaway that they’ve found YOUR home to be an ideal place to inhabit, too.

Termites often build mounds, which can be sometimes obvious to the naked eye. Underneath, however, dampwood termites tend to build highly complex mud tunnels that enable them to access various mounds or parts of your home easily.

  • Retain Professional Building Property Inspectors

A surefire way to determine the presence of termites on a property, whether yours or a property you are considering purchasing, is to retain professional building property inspectors. The inspectors are accustomed to identifying a wide range of potential problems with a property, including the presence of termites and other pests.

Their unbiased and professional expertise are a boon to any property owner as they can help to identify pest infestations so that the owner can resolve them sooner rather than later, which can end up saving potentially thousands and thousands of dollars.

Building Property Inspections

Retain Building Property Inspections for professional inspections for termites, pests, and any other problems on your property.

 

Why a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection is Essential for Homebuyers

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Buying a home can be an exciting experience, and you should rightfully remain excited throughout the process but not at the expense of caution and due diligence. There could be a number of faults or defects – some obvious, some not – that could require remediation before moving in.

If you haven’t gotten a property inspection, you could end up having to pay out of pocket for these sorts of unforeseen problems, which means that it’s essential (even if it isn’t legally mandatory) to obtain a professional building inspection as a homebuyer.

Below are some of the key reasons why a building inspection is essential for homebuyers in Australia:

  • Identifying Structural Issues

Perhaps the most obvious reason why a building inspection is essential is because it can identify and quantify any structural issues with the building. This includes a thorough inspection of structural and non-structural elements on the home’s interior and exterior, such as cracks, problems with the foundation or load-bearing walls, mould or moisture, and problems with plumbing or the electrical system.

Knowing which faults/defects exist and roughly how much they will cost to remediate can make a big difference during the negotiation stages of buying a new home.

  • Detecting Pests and Termite Damage

It’s fairly well-known that we’ve got our fair share of creepy crawlies here in Australia, and that includes all sorts of rodents and termites that can cause not only a nuisance to homeowners but also hazards to hygiene and to structural stability of the home. 

The signs of pest and/or termite damage are sometimes quite obvious, but sometimes they’re not so obvious (or worse, they may be hidden during any site visits). A building inspection can identify any such problems so that prospective buyers can account for fumigation or extermination, or negotiate the cost of these services with the seller.

  • Assessing Safety Hazards

Older homes may have safety hazards such as lead paint, asbestos, or problems with the gas or electrical systems. Newer builds must adhere to certain safety standards, but they can still come with potentially unsafe hazards due to neglect or incompetence. Either way, it is essential that a building inspector analyse and inspect the property for any possible safety hazards so that they are well-known to the buyer before finalising the purchase.

  • Estimating Repair and Maintenance Costs

As we’ve hinted at in the previous sections, knowing and identifying the types of faults/defects found during the property inspection is one thing, but it’s crucial for the buyer and seller in order to determine the cost of remediation. This includes any needed repairs and maintenance, which could be further broken down into essential (e.g. cracks in the foundation wall, presence of mould) and desirable remediation, i.e. not as essential (e.g. walls in need of a fresh lick of paint).

  • Importance of a Professional Building Inspection

A building inspection is not legally required in order to purchase a home in States and Territories across Australia, but that doesn’t mean you should take your chances either. In Victoria and the ACT, sellers are required to disclose any faults or defects, but it is still no substitute for a professional building inspection. A professional survey can possibly alert you to an undesirable property, or it can help during the negotiation stages of the property purchase. 

Building Property Inspections

Retain the services of building inspections in Melbourne today.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Balwyn, building inspections in Blackburn, building inspections in Canterbury, or building inspections in Mitcham, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

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So, you have decided to move on. It’s time to get your precious home prepared for sale.  Soon your “home” will no longer be yours. It is time to detach yourself from your house and think about what buyers will be looking for. First impressions last, and your property could be on a long list for sale in your area. In this article we will talk about some tips for preparing your house to step foot on the selling market.

 

A good stiff clean

There is nothing worse than viewing a dirty dusty home. Give your house a good clean from top to bottom. Even ensuring walls are washed and skirtings are dusted, and please remove mould from the bathrooms! It is also advised to have your carpets cleaned to remove any unpleasant odours and stains. Wash your windows inside and out and consider renting a pressure cleaner to spray down the pathways and exterior of your house.

 

De-Personalise your home

Step outside your front door – Now pretend you are a potential buyer and walk back through your front door – Could you imagine anyone else other than yourself living in this house? Well we want the people viewing your home to be able to imagine them selves setting up home in this house.  Books, magazines and knickknacks should be packed away and stored elsewhere. Photo frame collages should also be stored. If you have blank walls, try to find some inexpensive neutral modern art or mirrors to fill the void and give a sense of space. A plant here and there is a nice touch and still gives a homely feel.

 

De-Clutter

The most important area to de-clutter is the kitchen bench. As a kitchen is known as the “Heart of the Home” buyers will want to feel like they are getting the most amount of bench space for their money.  Put away the appliances, the cookbooks, the fruit bowls – Anything that is interrupting that feeling of space. In the lounge arrange your furniture to show the maximum amount of space for that room – even if that means storing a couch or two in the meanwhile. Within the smaller bedrooms you may like to swap double beds to single beds to emit the feeling of space. While in the master bedroom store away any extra pieces of un-necessary furniture – like bookcases, which can make a room feel busy and cluttered.

 

Book in a pest treatment

There’s no deal breaker like an infestation of cockroaches or spiders! Get rid of them now! Also have your pest inspector find any potential termite issues before a potential buyer does. Prevention is always better than cure and it is always better to have any problems cleared up before your house goes on the market.

 

Outside Street Appeal

If your front yard doesn’t look neat tidy and clean, then a buyer is going to wonder if it is even worth looking inside! Mow your lawn, trim your hedges and bushes, weed the garden. Remove any cobwebs and tidy the front porch. Make the entrance to your house feel as inviting as possible.

 

Minor repairs

Patch up holes in walls, and repaint brightly coloured feature walls. Fix leaky taps and cracked tiles. Doors that don’t close properly and loose handles should be attended to. Any general maintenance items that can detract from the beauty of your house should be done.

And finally….

 

Book in your own building inspection

There’s nothing more off-putting to a buyer than having their contract building inspections in Melbourne done and finding problems that could have been fixed before the house went on the market in the first place. Not only does it worry the buyers and put all concerned in a stressful situation, it can make it look like the house has not been well maintained by the current owners, and possibly previous too.

If you’re looking for an honest thorough independent building inspection before you put your house on the market – Give us a call today and we would be more than happy to assist you.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Warrandyte, building inspections in Boronia, building inspections in Box Hill, or building inspections in Camberwell, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

Your Pre-Property Purchase Inspection Checklist

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Purchasing a new home is an exhilarating experience, but it’s also a wide-open opportunity to end up with a home riddled with unforeseen problems. This is why building inspections are not a ‘nice to have’ but rather a necessity for homebuyers, especially first-time homeowners. The following is a brief overview of what a pre-property purchase inspection should include:

  • Personal Inspections

There are dozens of relevant questions that should be answered before deciding on a purchase, many of which can be answered with a simple, preliminary pre-purchase inspection. For example, what is the water pressure in your neighbourhood? Is the neighbourhood safe or has it experienced burglaries in recent years? Is noise a concern?

Many of these considerations can be addressed by visiting the property yourself, but many require thorough research and a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified building inspector.

  • Building Inspection

Once the above basic questions have been answered to your satisfaction, it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty of building inspection. Carpenters and homebuilders aren’t all cut from the same cloth, with many faulty construction techniques or material use being invisible to the naked eye.

This is why it’s useful to have a building inspector on hand, but it’s even better if the said inspector has worked as a carpenter in the past since they know what to look for and are aware of current and acceptable building practices.

  • Pest Inspection

Termites and rodents can quickly turn even the most beautiful home into an unsightly and potentially unsafe mess in short order, so ensure that your building inspection includes a pest inspection as well. This can help you take action to reduce the chances of pests from entering the home and causing damage to timber frames, for example.

  • Surveyor’s Report

Your property doesn’t necessarily end where your lawn meets the neighbour’s. If you plan to do any work on your property, it’s obviously important that you do so on property that is legally yours. Cadastre and property limits can be determined by a qualified land surveyor, which can point out easements and give you the legal understanding of exactly where your property line ends and your neighbour’s begins.

  • Swimming Pool Inspection

If your home came with a swimming pool or you’re planning to have one installed in the future, it’s important that you have a swimming pool inspection completed. This will outline where and how the swimming pool can be constructed and ensure that your swimming pool is compliant with state legislation in Victoria for the construction of not only swimming pools but also surrounding fences and signage, as necessary.

  • Pre-Settlement Inspection

All of the above pre-property inspections above have been completed and you’re ready to move in. Great, but there’s one last step. When it comes to purchasing anything as costly as property, caveat emptor implies that you’re moving into the home you initially contractually purchased and nothing less. In the case of cleanliness, paint, or any interim repairs or maintenance, one last pre-settlement inspection can help you verify that everything you agreed to purchase is as advertised.

Building Property Inspections

One of the most important considerations when buying a new home is peace of mind knowing that what you’ve purchased is what you’re getting. Home inspections in Melbourne can help you with all of your pre-purchase inspections and give you peace of mind and confidence for your dream home in Melbourne and surrounding communities.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Croydon, building inspections in Eltham, building inspections in Endeavour Hills, or property inspections in Preston, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

Home inspection tips for first home buyers

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If you’re like most first-time house buyers, then you’re probably new to inspecting properties. Which means you’re unsure what you should be looking out for, and sometimes excitement can take over. But there’s no need to worry because here’s what you should look for in property inspections to ensure you don’t have substantial issues in the future. 

What is a home inspection?

You may be wondering what a home inspection accurately is. If so, it’s a comprehensive examination of a property that’s for sale. An experienced and highly qualified building inspector will conduct a thorough exam for you and let you know of any issues. Home inspection services in Melbourne contain hundreds of points and items for checking so they can make a professional and adequately informed decision. 

While it’s crucial to have a professional property inspector asses the home, it’s also good to learn what you should be looking out for yourself. After all, you may be inspecting hundreds of properties until you fall in love. 

Check for water stains

You must check for any water stains on the walls and ceilings throughout the house because this usually means the home has issues with dampness. And when it comes to the wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms, you must check near showers, toilets and baths for any water leaks or moisture invasion. It’s not usually a structural problem, but it can be expensive to repair. Unfortunately, sometimes people can paint over these stains and issues, so you may miss them, which is why it’s critical to have a professional examine the property. 

Check For Mould

Mould is a must to look out for because it can be an indication there’s a bigger problem which often means it will be expensive to fix. Mould can get caused by plumbing issues, leaking rooftops, poor ventilation and dampness getting into the house. So remember to check for any mould stains in the bathrooms, kitchen, walls and window frames as well. 

Further to this, mould also creates health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory issues which means it’s dangerous to have inset mould inside your home. 

Check for structural issues

If a property has any structural issues, this is usually the most expensive and challenging problem to repair. So keep a lookout for uneven floors, cracks in the walls, bricks and doors that don’t close properly. And when you’re outside looking at the roof check, it’s straight and without bends, swerves or deflections. 

Check the internal plaster

When you’re walking through the house, the plaster can easily get checked for cracks. Make sure to check for even the smallest and thinnest of cracks. Usually, plaster cracks happen from plastering that wasn’t correctly done at the time of construction. A bad plastering job can cause the plaster to keep cracking, and down the track, it can also become loose. This damage will cost a lot to fix and also cause problems when it comes to mounting things on the walls. 

These above issues are important to check when inspecting homes and while you may have found these yourself failure to invest in a professional home inspector is one of the biggest mistakes any first home buyer can make. 

Therefore, by investing initially in a building, it will stop you from incurring stress, nasty and substantial repairs, expenses, and even having to add to your mortgage in the future.

Are you a first home buyer in Melbourne? If so contact our team today so we can help ensure you get the best advice on your first home.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Wantirna, building inspections in Blackburn, building inspections in Canterbury, or building inspections in Boronia, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

5 Steps in a Home Inspection Process

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A new home is a significant investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. That’s why home inspectors play such a vital role in the decision to buy or pass on a prospective new home. Since home inspection is so important, it’s equally important to understand the process of home inspection from the inspector’s point of view so that you know what to expect should you decide to hire one (and you should).

01. Meet the Inspector

A preliminary meeting with your desired home inspector is the first thing you’ll want to do after contacting home inspectors in your area. Not only will the inspector guide you through the process and alert you to things that they typically look for in a home, but you’ll also feel more at ease putting a face to the name.

Home inspectors need to have substantial knowledge of current building practices, but a good home inspector understands which corners are often cut during the building project and which areas raise red flags and which ones are manageable. As an added bonus, keep an eye out for a building inspector that previously worked as a building contractor. This experience is invaluable in identifying potential flaws in the home.

02. A Thorough Home Inspection

The home inspection itself is the most important aspect for the prospective homeowner and the inspector. A good inspector will thoroughly look at the following:

  • Roofing (internal, external)
  • Walls (internal, external)
  • Doors & doorframes
  • Subfloors
  • Balconies, patios, and stairs
  • Fences and exterior structures
  • Cabinetry

03. Debriefing

After looking at the home, the inspector will be happy to answer any of your concerns and to explain to you in layman’s terms their first impression as well as any problematic areas that initially come to mind. This early analysis can give you a general impression of whether or not the home is a good purchase or not.

Be sure to ask plainly which problems are of concern, how long they would take to bring up to standard, and roughly how much it would cost. Knowing this information is a huge asset that can save you lots of potential headaches in the future.

04. Detailed Findings and Recommendations

Once the building inspector has completed the inspection, ensure that you’re provided with a detailed report which contains their findings and recommendations. Not only will an inspection report lay bare in black and white which areas will need to be addressed, but you should also be able to put together an estimate as to how much the renovations or repairs will cost. This will be a factor within any cost-benefit analysis of the home.

05. Ongoing Service Relationship

A good building inspector won’t simply hand you the report and walk away. Many of the key findings in the report may be unclear and you may not be comfortable knowing how to proceed should you purchase the home. Look for a building inspector that is willing to work closely with you to resolve any enquiries you may have so that you can go forward with your decision with confidence.

Building Property Inspections

With so much money going into the purchase of a new home, you’ll want to rest assured that you’re getting what you pay your hard-earned money for. Get in touch with the friendly inspectors at Building Property Inspections in Melbourne before making the big decision and let us guide you through the process confidently.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Croydon, building inspections in Eltham, building inspections in Endeavour Hills, or property inspections in Preston, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

4 Ways Hiring Professional Property Inspectors Can Save You Time And Money

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Whether you are considering a home inspection for a property you’re buying, or one you are having built, hiring professional property inspection is the smart step before completing any house purchasing or building project. This process can potentially unearth problems and help you estimate repairs before you hand over your hard earned cash.

So, how does it work? A property inspection involves examining the structure of the house or building, as well as the systems within to make sure it is up to the standard required by the law.  In terms of what it covers, a property inspection can also include the heating system, interior plumbing, floors, windows, attics and basements, among other things. The process of inspection can bring to light any repairs or maintenance tasks needed before you pay to purchase any property. 

How can a property inspection save you time and money?

Since property inspections cost money, people are often tempted to skip the process, however they can save you money in the long term. Paying a little more up front for an inspection can potentially save you hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

 

1. Unearth structural issuesIndependent Building Inspectors

Before you take the plunge and buy a new home or office space, a property inspection can uncover any issues that may add to your cost. While the price may seem a bargain, problems from termites for example can often add thousands of dollars in repair costs. Save yourself money in the long term by hiring a property inspector before you close on a purchase.

2. Check the quality of your construction work

If you are having a new property built and need to hand over payments to your contractors, then it is always wise to have the building site checked first. Ensuring that the work has been carried out to the highest standard will mean you are not faced with a surprise bill later to repair poor workmanship or get it up to the required standard.

3. Helps you negotiate the final price

It may be second nature to some of us to try our hand at haggling when making a purchase of any size, however, with the assessment of a property inspector you can add weight to your offer. Whether you are dealing with a real estate agency or a private seller, if the price seems a little steep, it probably is. If you hire a professional property inspector to evaluate the property as a third party, this will help you negotiate the price to a figure that is more affordable for you.

4. Time-saving

In addition to saving you money, hiring a professional property inspector can also save you time. This is because instead of you spending days going over every corner of the property, you can delegate this very important task to professionals with more experience.

Summary

Buying a home or property is usually the biggest purchase of someone’s life. Before taking the plunge and handing over big money, you should consider investing a little more short term and potentially save time and money long term. It can help you unearth any issues with the property relating to the structure or other systems so you can estimate any additional costs and purchase with the peace of mind that the property is really worth your money.

At Building Property Inspections we provide a wide range of services including property inspections, pest inspections and pre and post-purchase inspections and home inspection services in Melbourne. Get in touch today and speak to one of our friendly advisors.

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Balwyn, building inspections in Blackburn, building inspections in Canterbury, or building inspections in Mitcham, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.

How to avoid a serious hidden defect? The steps to follow

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A hidden defect is your worst nightmare when buying a home. However, septic installations are a frequent source of conflict and a problem of the most unpleasant to manage. Indeed, there are countless new buyers who find themselves with a non-compliant septic system, who must then take legal action against the previous owners and/or pay thousands of dollars to rectify the problem.

A septic system consists of a septic tank and a septic field. The pit is a buried hermetic tank that receives wastewater. The leaching field consists of a network of perforated pipes buried in gravel trenches, where the sewage coming out of the pit ends.

3D rendering of a house cross section showing bathroom and sewag

It is particularly important that these systems are in order, as failure can lead to contamination of well water, sewer backups into the house, and sewage discharges into the environment. Such problems are serious because they can not only have an impact on your health but also diminish the value of your new property.

How to avoid problems before you even engage in a transaction?

You will see here some simple steps that will help you avoid a lot of trouble.

Septic installation or not?

You have finally found a house that really interests you? First of all, find out if it has a sewage treatment system or if it is connected to the municipal sewage system.

  • If the property is connected to utilities, this process will be useless.
  • On the other hand, if the house has a septic tank and a septic tank, you must inform yourself about the conformity of the system.

How old is the installation?

Before you even get into the tendering process, ask the current owner how old the septic tank and the septic field are.

  • If the pit is before 1980, ask what material it is made of. Know that since 1980, metal septic tanks are no longer allowed. If the house you are considering is made of steel, it is probably all rusted and broken and will need to be replaced to meet the standards.

Septic Tank Sewage

  • Since August 1981, a permit is required to rebuild or restore a septic system. If the installation was made after this date, require the owner to provide you with a copy of the permit. If the owner has not applied for a permit during installation or renovation, the septic tank does not comply, which could cause you a lot of trouble. Do not buy the house without having the installation inspected and inform the municipality of the steps to follow to ensure compliance.

Require all documents related to septic installation

In addition to the development permit, ask the owner for any copies of the documents relating to:

  • On the purchase of the septic system (for details of the supplier)
  • Repairing the septic tank or septic field (you will know if problems
    have occurred along the way)
  • Drainage done since installation (usually done every
    two years for a principal residence)

Check how many rooms the installation can support

Make sure the number of rooms is in compliance with the permit. For example, if the permit states that the facility is adequate for only 3 bedrooms and that 4 bedrooms are listed on the listing, that means there is likely to be non-compliance. In this case, require the landlord to provide you with a copy of the renovation permit that should have been obtained before adding a fourth bedroom. If he does not have it in hand, beware because the municipality could inspect your septic system and require corrections too often expensive.

Use public registers

In the event that the owner is unable to provide you with all the necessary information to ensure that the septic installation is in compliance, do not hesitate to contact the Service or the Territory Management Division of the municipality where the house is. As the information on the buildings is public, they will give you the information they have on hand and answer your questions, with good knowledge of laws and regulations. You can either:

  • Speak directly to a municipal inspector
  • Fill out an online application form and wait to be contacted
  • Get information directly online via the municipality’s website

Note that if you are dealing with a real estate broker, he may have access to relevant information about the house via a web platform that requires a subscription.

Attention to clogging of the leaching field

Clogging is a fairly common problem in septic systems, which reduces system throughput. There is an obstruction when mud forms in the leaching field. The use of toxic products or fats can reduce the number of good bacteria that digest and reduce the presence of sludge and may cause undesirable accumulation.

Here are 6 symptoms of clogging. Be careful when you visit the house you like, to see if you detect one.

  1. Water pushes back and overflows where the septic tank cover is
  2. The water level is high in the tank of the pit
  3. The soil is moist, spongy on the surface of the leaching field
  4. The vegetation is denser than elsewhere in the field
  5. Sinks and sinks make abnormal sounds (“glouglou”) and referrals evacuate badly
  6. There are foul odours outside or even inside the building

When to carry out an inspection?

If you feel that you do not have enough information on hand, or that the septic system has any problems, call in a specialist to have it inspected and make sure everything is in order and in order before proceeding. an offer to purchase. You can get along with the seller to share the costs of the inspection.

Sand and Gravel Filter Bed

The life of a septic system is about 20-25 years. If the property you want to buy dates from before 2000, be aware that you will probably have to replace it within 10 years, or at least do some work to give it a second life. If this is the case, have the work evaluated carefully and take into account this big expense to come in your bid. The price of a septic system can range from $ 10,000 to $ 30,000 depending on several factors.

 

Before making an offer to buy a house, do not forget to have the building inspected by building inspections in Melbourne

If you’re in need of reliable building inspections in Warrandyte, building inspections in Boronia, building inspections in Box Hill, or building inspections in Camberwell, look no further. Our experienced team of inspectors will thoroughly assess the condition of your property, identifying any potential issues or safety concerns. With our comprehensive reports, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing the true state of your building.