Should I book the inspection before or after I make an offer?

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.

Do building inspectors check for asbestos?

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.

Is there a pass or fail, and what happens if the property does not stack up?

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.

How long does the report stay relevant?

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.

Do building inspectors need to be licensed in Victoria?

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.

Do you inspect apartments and units, or only houses?

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.

What is the difference between a major defect and a minor defect?

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.

Is the plumbing and electrical overview enough, or do I need separate trade inspections?

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.

Can I have an inspection on a property I already own?

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.

I am buying from an owner-builder. Is there anything I should know?

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.

Preparing Your Home for Sale | Inspection & Staging Tips

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 inspection 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 Building Inspections Melbourne a call today and we would be more than happy to assist you.

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.

Preparing Your Home For Sale

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