When it comes to securing your dream property at an auction, being well-prepared is the key to success. One essential step in this process is a pre auction building inspection. But how long does it typically take? Understanding the Importance of a Pre Auction Building Inspection Before we dive into the timeframe, let’s ensure we’re...
In the construction and property management setting, understanding the structural condition of buildings is critical. A dilapidation report provides a clear snapshot of a property’s state before and after nearby construction works. Obtaining a dilapidation report in Melbourne specifically can be a fundamental step in safeguarding their assets. Let’s walk you through the process of...
When it comes to the security and safety of your potential new home or investment property, the value of a comprehensive pre purchase building inspection in Melbourne cannot be overstated. With its charming mix of architectural styles, from Victorian-era homes to modern marvels, presents unique challenges and opportunities in property inspections. Whether you’re considering a...
Have you ever wondered what hidden secrets lie beneath your investment property? In the bustling property market of Melbourne, what you don’t know can hurt your wallet. As a savvy investor, you’re not just buying a property. You’re investing in a future. But beware, hidden building faults can turn your dream investment into a costly...
Are you involved in a real estate transaction in Melbourne, Australia? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. In the world of real estate, there are countless factors to consider, and one often overlooked but crucial aspect is the building dilapidation report. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or property investor, understanding the significance...
If you’re planning to bid on your dream property at an auction in Melbourne, it’s crucial to be well-prepared. One essential step in this journey is a pre-auction building inspection. At Building Property Inspections Melbourne, we understand the significance of this process and are here to guide you through it. When you invest in a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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Either works, and the right choice depends on how you are buying. For a private sale, most buyers make an offer subject to a satisfactory building and pest inspection, which protects the deposit while the property is checked. Ordering the inspection first costs you money on a property you might not end up winning, but it puts you in a stronger position because you are negotiating with the findings already in hand.
At auction the decision is made for you, since a winning bid is unconditional and no inspection clause can be attached afterwards. If you are weighing up several properties, a quick call with Nick on 0438 280 420 will usually sort out which order makes sense.
A standard inspection carried out to AS 4349.1 is a visual assessment, and asbestos cannot be confirmed visually. What we can do is flag materials consistent with asbestos containing products, which in Victorian homes commonly means cement sheeting to eaves, bathroom and laundry linings, older fencing and some roof sheeting.
Anything built before the mid-1980s carries a reasonable likelihood of containing it somewhere. Where we see something suspect, it is noted in the report with a recommendation for sampling by a licensed assessor, because only laboratory testing gives a definitive answer. Undisturbed material in sound condition is generally not an immediate concern, but it matters a great deal if you plan to renovate.
There is no pass or fail. An inspection is not an examination the property either clears or flunks, and no inspector issues a certificate declaring a home sound. What you receive is a description of the property's condition on the day, with defects identified and photographed so you can weigh them yourself. Almost every established home returns a list of findings, and that is normal rather than alarming.
The judgement about whether the property is still worth buying is yours, and it turns on the cost and complexity of what was found against what you are paying. Nick talks you through the findings by phone so that decision is an informed one.
The report describes the property as it was on the day of inspection, so it has no formal expiry but it does age. For a purchase running on a normal timeline of a few weeks between inspection and settlement, it remains an accurate picture.
Beyond a few months conditions can shift, particularly with anything moisture or pest related, since a wet Melbourne winter can change a subfloor considerably and termite activity can establish in a matter of months. If a sale falls through and you come back to the same property a year later, a fresh inspection is the safer course rather than relying on the earlier document.
Victoria does not licence pre-purchase building inspectors the way it registers builders and building surveyors, which means the standard of practitioners varies more than most buyers expect. Since the entry bar is low, what you should check is the substance behind the name: relevant trade or building experience, current professional indemnity and public liability cover, membership of a recognised industry body, and inspections carried out to AS 4349.1.
All our inspections are conducted personally by Nick, a qualified carpenter by trade, and we have held HIA membership for more than fifteen years with full insurance in place. Ask any inspector you are considering to confirm the same in writing.
We inspect apartments, units, townhouses and villas as well as freestanding houses. The difference with strata titled property is scope. The inspection covers the interior of the lot you are buying, along with accessible common areas immediately serving it, such as the entry, balcony and any allocated car space or storage cage.
Building wide elements including the roof, facade, lifts and basement usually sit with the owners corporation, so problems there become shared costs rather than yours alone. For that reason an apartment inspection works best read alongside the owners corporation certificate and recent meeting minutes, which reveal known defects, planned works and any special levy on the horizon.
The distinction matters because it tells you which findings deserve your attention. A major defect is one affecting the structural integrity, weather tightness, safety or serviceability of the building, or one that will need significant work to correct. Think substantial movement in footings, a compromised roof structure, active water penetration or an unsafe balustrade.
A minor defect is the everyday deterioration and imperfect workmanship any building accumulates, such as small render cracks, perished seals, sticking doors or worn paintwork. Our reports separate the two rather than presenting one long undifferentiated list, so you can see at a glance which items are material to your decision and which are simply maintenance.
The overview tells you what is visible and apparent, which for most buyers is sufficient. We note obvious issues such as corroded pipework, poor drainage, evident leaks, exposed or clearly amateur wiring and missing safety switches. What it is not is a licensed plumbing or electrical certificate, because testing circuits, pressure testing pipes and running a drain camera all sit outside a visual inspection.
If our report raises a concern, or the home is older and has never been rewired or replumbed, engaging a licensed electrician or plumber for a specific assessment is money far better spent before settlement than after.
Yes. Post purchase and maintenance inspections are a regular part of what we do, and there are several good reasons to book one. Owners commonly arrange an inspection before starting renovations, when preparing to sell and wanting to address problems before a buyer finds them, when something new has appeared such as a crack or a damp patch, or simply as a periodic health check on an older home.
Investors also use them between tenancies to document condition. The report is the same detailed document with colour photographs, giving you a prioritised picture of what needs doing now and what can wait.
Yes, this situation carries both extra risk and extra rules. In Victoria an owner-builder selling within roughly six and a half years of the occupancy permit or final inspection is generally required to provide a defects report prepared by a prescribed practitioner, and warranty insurance may also apply. Buyers often hear this referred to loosely as the seven year rule.
Beyond the paperwork, owner-built work varies enormously in quality, and an independent inspection is especially worthwhile where the person who built the home also signed off on their own decisions. Confirm the legal position with your conveyancer, then call us on 0438 280 420 to arrange the inspection.
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