Building inspections in Adelaide - and what they cover
Before you go through the real estate buying process, there is an abundance of important information that needs to be considered. You might be thinking whether or not the asking price is realistic, or you could just be rejigging your finances to make something work because you’ve found your dream Adelaide home.
While all of this is happening, it’s possible that you’re working within a fairly narrow window of time before it goes to auction, or you could be facing heavy competition in a private sale. The reality is that buying real estate can be quite overwhelming. A home is the biggest investment of your life, so regardless of the challenges, you need to ensure that what you are willing to spend is worthwhile.
A pre-purchase building inspection will help you understand the problems that a house might have before you commit to the sale. It will mean that you’ll know all the ins and outs of the property, which best prepares you to adjust your offer if need be or seek advice on the repairs.
However, although you might have heard that a building inspection is a necessity throughout the buying process, you’re probably also wondering exactly what they cover. Being a market leader in Adelaide, Detail Building Inspections can provide you with a comprehensive understanding.
Areas Inspected
In order to provide a thorough and meticulous report on the home’s condition, our building inspections focus on numerous areas of the property. It is important to understand that our inspections take place in accordance with Australian standard, in parts of the home that have a crawl space of at least 600mm x 600mm. The specific areas fall under the following classifications:
Exterior
The exterior of the property is the first place we inspect because it is common that the defects found here will affect other parts of the property. When we check the outside of a home, it includes:
- Walls (including claddings, lintels, and windows/doors)
- Balconies, Verandahs, Patios & Decks
- Stairs & Balustrades
- Timber or steel frames and structures (unless under construction)
- Suspended concrete floors
Interior
The interior is where the most obvious problems are found, and is also the most common place to come across minor defects. However, by identifying these early, it can often indicate the presence of more serious issues. The interior defects can often act as clues for us to find out where the more pressing problems are coming from (especially when it comes to the presence of moisture or leaks). When we inspect your Adelaide property’s interior, it will involve checking the following aspects:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Windows
- Doors & Frames
- Flooring
- Stairs
- Ventilation
Common issues found here are general ageing, cracks, movement in the floor, moisture stains, and binding problems. The interior inspection will take place in all accessible rooms and areas of the house.
Roof Exterior
This area is common for causing water damage inside the property if it has experienced dilapidation or inclement weather. A roof that is capable of dealing with extensive rain or wind is imperative, especially when it comes to those Adelaide winters. When we check a roof, it involves inspecting the following (among others):
- Tiles, Shingles and Slates
- Roof Sheeting
- Gables
- Skylights, Vents, Flues
- Eaves, Fascias & Barges
- Guttering & Downpipes
Roof inspections often come back with issues relating to general wear, rust, corrosion, and leaks. Our report will advise from which type of tradesman to seek advice.
Roof Void
This area is critical for gaining an understanding of issues that a home faces with its temperature, structural integrity, and any defects that directly relate to the roof’s exterior. Any sign of moisture in the roof void is likely to be evidence of leaking, and any issues with the framing could indicate extensive dilapidation. This would be classed as a major defect.
When we assess a roof void, we look at:
- Framing
- Party Walls
- Sarking
- Insulation
Sub-Floor
Checking the subfloor can indicate the presence of moisture, mould, decay, and give an understanding as to how conducive the home might be to an infestation of termites or other wood borers. Depending on the nature of your floor, however, it might not always be possible to have this area inspected. However, when we do, we check the following:
- Ventilation
- Floor Support
- Drainage
- Damp
- Suspended Concrete Floors
30m Vicinity - Within Boundary of Property
A building inspection goes beyond checking the immediate structure. The nature of the entire property can give a shrewd indication of other issues that the home might face. When checking the 30m vicinity, we will look at:
- Carports/Pergolas
- Sheds
- Fencing
- Drainage effectiveness (surface water)
- Detached Laundry
- Driveways & Paths
- Retaining Walls
- Steps
A common issue of building inspections is establishing how water run-off might act within the yard area. When there is poor draining, it can create all sorts of problems such as conditions conducive to pests, and the likelihood of flooding.
Pests Are Separate!
A standard building inspection will not include a pest report. However, there is the capability to have the property checked for infestations. Combining a pest inspection with our normal service will provide you with total peace of mind before you make an offer.
Conditions of Inspection
Our Adelaide building inspections are subject to specific rules and regulations. There are some parts of a home that cannot be inspected or reported on. In order to gain a further understanding of what your inspection will or won’t include, it is recommended that you view our terms and conditions.
Contact Us
Detail Building Inspections are licensed in construction, roofing and pest control. After years of inspecting properties, we are your first point of call before buying an Adelaide home. In order to book an inspection, head to our website or call 0412 202 336 to arrange a quote.
