What is an Independent Pre-Purchase Building Inspection?

Buying a home can be an exciting yet daunting time, and with house prices nowhere near slowing down the wise thing to do is ensure you are getting the most out of your money. Purchasing a property is anything but a carefree process, and you can find yourself with little time left to think.

Stamp duty, auctions, market value, real estate agents and moving. The last thing you want to do is invest a significant amount of money into a property to discover further down the line that the property you fell in love with on inspection is filled with hidden defects or pests that will only cost you money in the future.

Australian consumer law only covers a purchase under $40,000, meaning that as soon as you buy a home, it’s solely your responsibility. If there’s something wrong with the home, there’s no turning back. This is where an Independent Pre Purchase Building Inspector can help give you peace of mind and confidence moving forward.

What is Involved In a Pre-Purchase Building Inspection?

A pre-purchase building inspection is the visual inspection of a property’s condition to identify areas of concern and existing defects. However, it is not considered to be a warranty against future defects. Every pre-purchase inspection should be carried out in accordance with Australian Standard.

If there are areas of the property that you hold specific concern with, our professional inspectors can guide you in the direction of a specialist inspector in addition to the regular pre-purchase building inspection.

Who Is an Independent Building Inspector?

All good building inspectors should be highly qualified professionals. At Detail Building Inspections you can expect no less. Each of our inspectors is 100% independent, highly qualified inspectors that have extensive industry knowledge. Each member of the Detail Building Inspections team is either a fully qualified licensed builder and licensed pest controller.

Our company’s combination of experience, professionalism and cutting-edge inspection technology makes us the ultimate choice for building inspection services in South Australia.

What Does a Pre-Purchase Inspector Do?

An independent pre-purchase inspector will assess all of the defects of your potential property, along with a detailed defects list. Everything from the cosmetic damages through to more serious structural defaults and even pest infestations.

Interior -  When it comes to the interior of a home, people will often take shortcuts to hide serious issues that can lower a home’s asking price. Our property inspectors are highly skilled in identifying cover-ups and looking for the root of the problem, drawing on our building experience to assist you to find the appropriate professional for the repair process.  

Interior inspections cover the following:

•    Walls and interior vents
•    Flooring
•    Windows, sills and framing
•    Doors, doorway fittings and door frames
•    Bathroom and wet areas
•    Paint work
•    Ceilings and cornices
•    Stairs and balustrades

Exterior – The exterior of a property can allude to many clues about existing and potential problems. Even if the home does not have any exterior issues presently, our property inspectors can identify issues that may present themselves in the future.

Exterior Inspections will include:

•    Exterior walls
•    Salt and rising damp inspection
•    Hebel, brickwork and timber cladding exteriors
•    Vents and weep holes
•    Stairs
•    Outdoor areas including balconies, patios and verandas
•    Decking and desking paintwork
•    Roofing

Other Areas of the Property 

The property itself can present an abundance of issues which can lead to trouble in time if not identified, affecting the integrity of your new home.

Other aspects include:

•    Pools, spas
•    Fencing
•    Rainwater tanks and retention systems
•    Other structures such as sheds and garages

Why Do You Need a Pre-Purchase Property Inspection?

Never underestimate the importance of investing in a building inspection before purchasing a property. It’s your hard earned money, so why would you want to invest it in a home that will only end up costing you so much more. To help we’ve listed some of the benefits of hiring an independent pre-purchase building inspector below:

• Identifying problems – Not paying attention to or underestimating the issues present in a property can cost you thousands. Understanding and acknowledging these issues can not only influence your decision to buy, but it also allows you to factor in potential repair costs into the budget.
• Pursue Professional Opinions – Our building inspectors will give you all the necessary information in regards to defects and recommending which professionals should be your next point of call. From here you can accurately look at how these defects may affect you further down the track and the repairs required.
• Negotiate a Lower Price- With all of the above knowledge, you are in a great position to bargain for a lower asking price with the buyer if you are going through a private sale.

When Should You Call a Building Inspector?

If you’re looking at a property that is up for private sale, this is the ideal scenario. This will give you more time to get the property check and negotiate the contract terms and conditions. Call, or book online with the Detail Building Inspections team. We will get in contact with the real estate agent and organise an inspection time, leaving you stress-free throughout the entire process!

Call The Team Today!

For the highest quality Adelaide building inspection, it’s simple, call the Detail Building Inspections team today! Our team is made up of highly skilled industry experts, so you can rest assured that you are in competent hands. Get in contact today!