Industry Insights

Benefits of a building inspection -

Written by Staff Writer | Oct 9, 2015 5:10:52 PM

Before making any big purchases such as buying a house, it is essential that you know exactly what you’re getting. This is especially true for first-time buyers who don’t really know what to look for or what questions to ask when purchasing a house.

To help you figure out the pros and cons of purchasing a particular property, make sure that you get a building inspection first. A building inspection can help you decide whether a particular property will be a good investment or not.

In layman’s terms, a building inspection is a report that describes the current condition of the property.

Why do you need a building inspection?

  1. A building inspector can inform you of any problems in advance. There won’t be any surprises down the line because you know exactly what to expect.
  2. You can use the information from the building inspector’s report to negotiate and ask for a lower price.
  3. A building inspection can help you set aside a budget for repairs.
  4. The building inspector can give you professional advice on how major problems can affect the property over time.

Inspecting a property

A building inspector’s main job is to implement the building codes and regulations. Property inspectors follow a checklist to make sure that all areas of the house or property are accounted for. Here is a general idea of what an inspector does when conducting a building inspection.

Checking the exterior of the property. Building inspectors inspect the fences and the gates. They take a look at external structures such as the garage, carport, pergola, and garden shed. They also check for large trees that are close to the house to make sure the roots have not caused structural damage. Then they examine the condition of the roof. They also look for any signs of pests. Lastly, they check for fire hazards such as external cables or power points.

Checking the interior of the property. Building inspectors thoroughly check for signs of asbestos and pests. They look for cracks in the windows, ceilings, floors, and walls. They check the plumbing system and test the electrical system. They look for rusting, moulds, and leak stains. They also make sure that the windows, doors, and blinds are in working order.

What is included in the building inspection report

Building inspection reports include the address of the property, the reason for the inspection, the date of inspection, as well as the scope of the inspection. The building inspector lists down areas that were not inspected and the reason why those areas were not investigated. They then write down a summary of the overall condition of the property. They enumerate the different building defects and problems that they have identified. They may also include a recommendation for further assessment by an accredited specialist such as a pest inspector or a structural engineer.

Building inspections are conducted by a licensed and insured building inspector. They make sure that the building meets the building code requirements. If you are interested in buying a certain house, have it inspected first to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. You can post a building inspection job here so you can start comparing quotes.