You’ve found a house – you love it. But you need to find out if there is anything to be aware of that could hinder the sale or cause your issues in the future. This is when you should call in a pre-purchase inspection or pre-purchase report. This process allows you to ensure your property meets Australian standards, and you get the property checked out by a professional building and pest inspector. They make sure the property is safe, and you are aware of any issues that might cause concern.

Each and every potential home buyer needs to consider a building inspection ahead of purchasing a property. While this might seem like an additional cost on top of a house sale, it will far outweigh the issues you might run into if you don’t conduct an inspection ahead of a sale going through.

What is a pre-purchase building inspection?

The property inspection of building inspection is a check that is carried out before buying a property. It is pretty much something that is expected as standard in today’s buyers market.

The written report will outline a wide range of elements of a property’s condition – particularly issues that could cause expense or concern in the future such as mould, damp, hazards, or even plumbing issues.

A report such as a pre-purchase inspection is imperative if you want to ensure the property you are buying is safe and not going to be expensive to maintain.

What does a pre-purchase inspection or report cover?

A professional building and pest inspector will check out every square inch of the property. This includes air conditioning systems, plumbing, electrical, roof, floors, windows, foundations, structural components and much more.

The property areas will also include garage, retaining walls, laundry, fencing, steps and any surface drainage. This ensures you have a complete picture of the property you are buying, and any existing issues you need to be aware of.

The inspector will have a detailed checklist that they will work through, and will ensure to check off every component as part of the process. The elements will need to be in working order to pass, and a full report will convey the essential information you need ahead of proceeding with a property purchase.

Why do I need a report done?

The focus of the report is to uncover any structural defects or issues that a potential buyer should be aware of when purchasing or looking to purchase a property.

These days, your real estate agent will highly recommend you arrange a report to ensure you are covered in the event of issues with the property’s structure.

Often called a building and pest inspection, this report is usually carried out ahead of a sale. Many contracts for properties will be pending a building and pest inspection report. This means, if your inspection uncovers issues that need to be rectified legally or for the building to be safe, you have legal support should you wish to pull out of the property contract.

There are many benefits for arranging a building and pest inspection. In particular, you will know in advance what the issues are so you can sit down and calculate if you want to take on those issues. In some cases, you can even try to negotiate a lower price for the property.

When you call in a specialist that is independent, you take the emotion out of the property and you explore the property for what it is. If there are problems, you can make the judgment on whether you want to continue on with the purchase, or if the issues are something you can’t live with.

Issues you need to consider

You can’t afford not to have a building and pest inspection carried out ahead of purchasing a property – particularly when you have concerns like asbestos and other dangerous materials to contend with.

A professional building and pest inspector will explore the plumbing, electrical, roof, floor space, exterior and the interior to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the property. They will then issue a summary of the overall condition.

The inspector is accredited to carry out the inspection. If you have any issues that you feel should be explored further, call out relevant specialists like engineers, surveyors, solicitors or pest inspectors.

What costs are associated with a building inspection?

So, what can you expect to pay for a building inspection or pre-purchase inspection in Australia? The costs will vary based on the size of the property and the region.

If you are looking for an approximate cost for your building inspection, use the information below as a guide:

• Small unit – around 2-bed in size – $200 to $300
• Small home – around 3-bed – $300 to $400
• Medium home – around 4 bed – $400 to $550
• Large home – 4+ bed / metro area – $$600 to $1000

Why do I need a building inspection on my future property?

You fall in love with a property, you want to buy it. But you need to understand what is under the surface and if you are getting what you pay for.

While the report won’t share the cost of any damage or repairs that will be required, having information on any issues with the property is invaluable in the negotiation process.

To find out more or to arrange your building and pest inspector that are licenced and insured, speak with your local provider today and ask for a quote. They will be able to give you the peace of mind that your pre-purchase experience is a smooth one, and you have all the information required at hand to make an informed decision.