If you’re looking to buy a home in Melbourne, you’re probably aware of the importance of a comprehensive building inspection. You might even be tempted to manage the inspection on your own. While it’s certainly possible to do it on your own, there are other critical factors to consider.
For starters, most DIY property inspections typically only look at surface-level defects. Defects in a building can result from a variety of reasons, including structure, design, roofing, and so on.
Of course, these sections are critical to the overall health of the structure, therefore they must remain in good condition. Unless you’re an expert, not hiring professional building inspectors can put you and your investment at unnecessary risk.
Key areas building inspectors check
Drainage and gutter problems
Drainage and gutter problems are typical problems in Melbourne homes. When you spot these issues, you should address them as soon as possible. Unfortunately, these issues might go unrecognised since they are difficult to detect, especially if you are unfamiliar with the warning signs.
A cracked wall can be mistaken for something that could be fixed with some paint unless you’re a trained building inspector. An experienced inspector can identify whether a sign is harmless or indicates a serious problem.
The reality is that water should only affect your building when it’s raining. So, if you observe water pouring down the sides of any home you inspect, it suggests there’s a problem with the structure.
Problems with structure
The structure of a building includes the base, and internal components such as doors, windows, floors, and the roof. A building’s doors should be sturdy—poor hinges or doors could hint that the doors or walls are weak. The same is true for windows; are they installed in locations where proper ventilation is necessary?
When assessing a property, you’re unlikely to consider the long-term uses or repercussions. You won’t realise the window is too small or closed off until you move in, at which point it will be too late. Weak floors are another big issue because they can cause accidents and are costly to repair.
Leaky roofs have driven many families and businesses away from their homes and businesses. A faulty roof usher can cause a slew of ailments and make life uncomfortable. A building inspector, however, can go up to the roof and check the condition, roof sarking, chemical delignification and any serious issues.
A trained building inspector is more likely to find typical problems that afflict the majority of residential properties. They acquire exceptional foresight from their years of training, enabling them to recognise and prepare for issues that your average joe is prone to overlook.
Faulty systems
Do you check the plumbing in every room when you walk through a Melbourne or Victoria building? Are you certain that the wiring throughout the house is installed properly?
The HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems are the most important systems in the house. If any of these systems fail, the building will become intolerable. A construction inspector, on the other hand, can identify the majority of flaws in a building with a quick glance or inspection.
How important is a house inspection before buying?
No matter how great a home looks on the outside, if there are problems with the foundation, plumbing, roof, or any other part of the house, you could be in for a very nasty surprise. A serious defect could make all the difference — financially, emotionally, and even legally.
1. Save you money
The ultimate goal for every home buyer is to purchase a property that will increase in value over time, and one way to ensure that you have made an investment with positive returns is by making sure that your home is free from any costly problems.
A new home building inspection will let you know if there are any issues with your home — even if they are small — so you can move forward knowing everything is sound before taking on such a large financial commitment. By hiring a certified building inspector, you could save yourself thousands upon thousands of dollars down the road. After all, foundation repairs aren’t cheap! Foundation problems, along with many other issues, often won’t just affect your wallet; they could also impact your health and well-being. So, make sure that your next home is a good fit both now and into the future with a comprehensive house inspection.
2. Buyer protection
Your home is likely to be one of your biggest investments, so you want to make sure that you’re making a sound investment. If there are any problems with your home, it’s better for you and for everyone else involved to know about them now before you take on such an important financial decision.
A building inspection will let you know if there are any issues with your new property before signing any papers or handing over money. Plus, having someone check out your potential house means that if there are problems with it, you could use that information as leverage to negotiate for repairs or even a lower price when purchasing your new home. So don’t be afraid to ask questions!
3. Identify possible pest & insect problems
Even if you have lived in your home for years and have not had any problems with pests, that doesn’t mean that you won’t experience them in your next house! So, even if you are purchasing a brand-new home, make sure to ask for a comprehensive building inspection that includes testing for pest and insect infestations as well as structural issues. This will let you know the possible issues your home could be susceptible to now, or in the future. This way you can take action to protect your health and quality of life during your time living there, and possibly even enjoy better resale value later on when selling the property. After all, who wants rats? Not anyone!
4. Forecast potential future expenses
A building inspection will not only tell you about problems that could potentially impact your wallet, but it could also help you keep costs down when purchasing your home.
For example, if there are issues with shoddy wiring or plumbing from previous owners, you can use that information to negotiate for those repairs before buying so that you aren’t stuck paying for them later on! And if there are any issues with energy conservation features or other structural changes you might want to make to your new home, a building inspector can also give an estimate of how much those things might cost as well as recommend companies who could get them done for you at competitive prices.
In essence, hiring a building inspector is like having an insurance policy against potential issues with your future property. Sure, these things won’t happen all of the time, but they could — especially if you purchase a fixer-upper!
5. House inspection is relatively inexpensive
Because having a house inspection done could save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, you’d think that it would be relatively expensive; however, many house inspectors will offer competitive rates so that they can help more people!
In fact, most professional home inspection services won’t cost you more than $300 to $500, making them an affordable way to protect your investment before buying property. Moreover, with an array of benefits, who wouldn’t want a little extra assurance that they were getting exactly what they paid for?
6. Reveal illegal additions or installations
A comprehensive building inspection is an excellent way to find out if there are any illegal additions or installations on your property, such as security systems, pools, walls, fencing, balconies, and/or decks. The last thing you want is to get caught with something like that and fall into the expensive legal mess that could follow! So, even if you know your new home has not been illegally modified before, it’s still a good idea to have a professional take a look at it just to be safe — especially when buying more than one property. In other words, check twice, buy once! It’s better safe than sorry — especially when so much money is involved.
At Landmark Inspections, we help you gain peace of mind and an added layer of security before you buy! We can tell you more about your property and give advice on how to protect yourself, as well as our home’s properties.
So, don’t wait until it’s too late – contact us now to schedule an inspection! You won’t regret it when you see what we discover.
