If you are on the market for a home, at some stage you will need a pest and building inspection. In most cases, if you submit an offer for a house and it’s accepted, you’ll need to organise a building and pest inspection within a few days. The sale of the house is usually pending on the outcome of the inspection.
If major faults are revealed, then the person who is trying to buy the house can reject the sale due to the issues found, or alternatively, they can ask to have the issues repaired, or negotiate the price based on how much work is needed to fix them. That being said, the owner selling the house might not care about what issues are found, particularly if the house is in an area with high demand.
So what exactly is involved with Building and Pest inspection, what do they look for, and how can you stay ahead of the pack to lock in your dream home?
The following list outlines what’s involved, what things you should keep in mind, and some helpful tips to ensure you’re ready to make the plunge and commit to buying your dream home.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – YOU’VE FOUND YOUR FUTURE HOME
So you’ve found your dream home. Hurrah! Whether it’s an old Victorian house or a newly built home, after what’s been potentially months of looking you’ve found exactly what you wanted. That being said, there are a few important things to keep in mind regarding the area your property is situated in, and we’re not just talking about the suburb. It’s usually only after several weeks of living there that you’ll become aware of certain things that weren’t front of mind when purchasing.
Things to keep in mind when buying a home.
Proximity: To schools, local shops, parks, medical centres, your work etc.
Traffic – Is the house close to a main road/thoroughfare? Sometimes the sleepy little street you’ve found might be a secret shortcut for local traffic, making it a mini highway.
Future Construction/Town Planning: Is it close to a major highway? Is there scope for infrastructure upgrades which will result in your property being close to main roads or future developments?
Neighbours – Have you scooped out the neighbours? How old are they? Are they young families, older people, early 20’s who party every Friday/Sat night?
Flooding – Are you close to or near a flood plain? Are you on the bottom of a hill?
Pro Tip: Ask your future neighbours
It’s always a good idea to chat to the neighbours before buying a property. They’ve probably been living in their property for years and will be able to let you know things about the street and the specific area that you’ll be unfamiliar with. Whether it’s local traffic, flooding, what the other neighbours are like, or any other helpful hints or red flags that you learn from living in the one area for an extended period of time.
STEP 1. BOOK A BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTION
So you’ve found your future house, submitted an offer, and it’s been accepted! Now it’s time to book your building and pest inspection. To book with Building and Pest Inspection Melbourne, we only need a few key details like name, number, email, agents name and number and the property address. We’ll then contact the agent to arrange access to the property and we’ll then email you the confirmation details. It’s that easy.We guarantee you’ll have your building and pest inspection done within 3 days, and you’ll have your report the same day it’s inspected.
Pro Tip: Securing A House In High Demand Areas: If you keep missing out on newly listed properties in an area with high demand, book a building and pest inspection straight away, even before the first open inspection if possible. Call the real estate agent and try to arrange a time, then book in a building and pest inspector to come with you. If you’re happy with the building and pest inspection report, then you can submit an offer straight away without the caveat of “pending building and pest”. This makes your offer very attractive to the seller, as it fast tracks your offer over everyone elses and can get the sale of their house underway the day they receive your offer.
STEP 2 – BUILDING INSPECTIONS TO AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS 4349.1
When you’re looking at committing to a lifelong investment in a property, you want to be 100% across any potential or current issues, especially if they result in tens of thousands of dollars to fix. A Building Inspection provides that clarity, and is a visual inspection of all accessible areas of the interior, roof void, sub-floor & exterior of the property to detect safety hazards, major defects, minor defects & general maintenance.
Building and Pest Inspection Melbourne not only use Building Inspectors that are fully insured Licenced Builders, but they are highly experienced. You can be sure that any potential issues or areas of concern will be revealed in your detailed report.
STEP 3 – PEST INSPECTIONS TO AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS 4349.3
Much like our building inspectors, our pest Inspectors are qualified with full Professional Indemnity insurance and complete a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas.
Termites are the leading cause of damage, so our Pest Inspectors use state of the art Termite Detection technology to detect termite movement in the walls, including the interior, roof void, sub-floor, & exterior of the property for.
AREAS CHECKED BY OUR BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTIONS
1) Wet Areas
Whether it’s rotten or damaged wood, water leaks, or termite activity, moisture is the leading cause of building defects and termite problems that often result in costly repairs. Our qualified inspectors use Moisture Meter to sweep the entire property to identify defects.
2) Electrical Checks
Checking light switches, the condition of the meter box, plus if the relevant smoke alarms and safety switches have been installed are all part of the electrical checks that we can conduct by law.
3) Plumbing Checks
Checking the functionality and appropriate drainage of toilets, and testing taps for hammering and drainage. We also check for rust, damage and blockages with gutters and downpipes around the entire house.
4) Front and Back Yard
Defects to fences, gates, driveways, paths, retaining walls, sheds, and clotheslines are often revealed when assessing the yard.
5) Roof Exterior
We check for Broken tiles, rust, water damage, and signs of fungal growth due to water pooling. We also check the condition of cladding and fascia/barge boards, in addition to the flashings, gutters, downpipes, and the soffit/eaves and valleys.
6) Masonry Walls
Bricks fretting, cracking, mortar eroding, blocked vents, damp damage, differential damage and common issues with Masonry walls which are closely examined. Inadequate joint sealant, visible flashings and weep hole ventilation are also inspected.
7) Exterior
As expected, the exterior is susceptible to the harsh elements 365 days a year, so various wear and tear is common. Worn paint, cladding defects, dampness, maintenance items for decks, balconies, patios, verandahs and other outdoor structures, plus defects that can result in safety hazards concerning handrails, steps, stairs and ramps.
8) Interior
The ceiling, doors, floor, painting, walls and windows are inspected for building defects in all rooms. Checking that the floors are levels, windows and doors operate normally, and we make note of any other signs of movement relating to structural defects.
9) Laundry & Kitchen
Defects to bench tops, doors, drawers and cabinets along with sinks, splashbacks, taps and waste traps are all inspected. The rangehood fan is tested for function. Failed or inadequate waterproofing in addition to leaking taps and pipes are commonly found, particularly in older homes.
10) Bathrooms
Built elements that commonly have defects due to wear and tear in bathrooms include the vanity, basin, bath, mirror, shower, shower screen, splashbacks, taps, waste traps, toilet cistern and pan. Ventilation, and exhaust fan function, is noted.
11) Roof Space/Void
Issues found often relate to coverage, framing, insulation, partiwall and roof sarking. Even in homes with a limited roof cavity, we endeavour to enter the roof void to traverse all accessible areas.
12) Subfloor/Underfloor Space
The structural integrity of the house is one of the most important factors of the house. It is critical to check the condition of bearers, joists, piers or stumps. Making note of any cracked or leaking pipes, dampness, ventilation or drainage issues is also made. The removal of debris or any stored items is also recommended as they often encourage termites and other pests including rodents.
STEP 4 – WE EXPLAIN OUR FINDINGS
As our reports and in-depth covering multiple areas of your house, we take the time to explain our findings in a clear and simple way. Your Building and Pest Inspector will speak directly with you after the inspection has been completed, either in person or by phone. You are also welcomed to call the inspector back after reading your reports to ask any further questions that you may have.
Most homeowners are primarily concerned with any major issues that are found, and rightly so. We’re happy to help you make any important decisions such as negotiating on price, asking for defects to be repaired, or simply terminating the contract.
What does “Subject to Building and Pest Inspection” mean in a contract of sale?
When you buy a home by private treaty, A Building and Pest clause should exist as a condition of a property purchase sale. This clause enables you to get a detailed written report from a qualified Building and Pest inspector within the time frame that has been set. This is critical to ensure potential homeowners are not purchasing a property with major defects requiring significant building repair costs.
Under most standard contracts, you should also have a 3 day cooling off period, so be sure to book your Building and Pest Inspection with us as soon as your offer has been accepted.
Book your building and pest inspection today
If you are in need of securing a Building and Pest Inspection Melbourne based beyond, we guarantee you’ll receive your report in 3 business days by a licenced builder with a same-day report. Contact us today