How to choose the right building inspector

You need the right team around you when dealing with purchasing a building. For expert advice in building inspections, you have to go local and credible. The right company can prove invaluable knowledge and save you a lot of time, money and stress.

Figuring out what sort of condition a property is in before you purchase it is something that requires skill and a level of expertise that the right building inspector will be able to offer you.

What is a Building Inspection?

Before you buy a property, it’s highly advisable to have a pre purchase building inspection. This is an account of the current state of the property and will include whether there are any significant issues to be aware of such as a damaged roof or cracking in the walls.

A building inspector should always be qualified to Australian standards and ideally have experience in the type of building that you are asking them to inspect.

So if you’re looking for say a townhouse in Noarlunga, you’d want to get an inspection first!

Do They Have Professional Indemnity Insurance?

Another way to find out if your building inspector is right for you, is if they have professional indemnity insurance. They must have good insurance in place if you are to even consider them!

Word of Mouth

There are a number of people who may be able to help recommend the right building inspector for you:

  • Friends and Family in the area
  • Other homeowners on the street where you’re buying – don’t be afraid to ask them
  • Your Mortgage Lender or Real Estate Agent

When asking people for recommendations for building inspectors, feel free to ask them things such as were the inspectors pleasant and accommodating, what sort of equipment did they use for the inspection, were they punctual and was their report easy to comprehend.

Qualifications Matter

Ultimately, purchasing a home is likely to be one of the biggest investments of your life. You want to make sure that the person who inspects it for potential problems is highly qualified and experienced. Do not be afraid to ask them for proof of certifications or to provide references of other clients they have worked for.

Equally, you want to make sure that the person who inspects your potential home has experience with the type of building that it is. If you’re purchasing a New Construction, try to find a building inspector with an expertise in this area rather than one who is known for their excellent knowledge of historical buildings!

Reports and Write UpsProfessional Indemnity Insurance quote

It’s essential that you fully understand the report that is given to you by your building inspector. If you’re feeling anxious about whether you’ll be able to understand the information, ask for an example copy of the type of report that will be provided to you to check that you’re happy with the format and will find it easy to translate into what action needs taking.

A building inspector should be prepared to take the time to go through their findings with you and explain anything that is unclear or that you need clarification on.

Costs:

There’s no denying that the costs connected to buying a home can really mount up. It’s tempting to try to cut corners or find the cheapest person to do each job.

However a building inspection is a crucial part of the home buying process and by employing a cheaper inspector with fewer skills or less experience, you could end up with bigger costs in the long term if they miss something or make a mistake. Always go to the top end of your budget when choosing a building inspector.

Next post we’ll cover simple ways you can update the look and functionality of your investment property using custom made blinds or awnings from the team at Bob Burns Blinds.

What to ask your building inspector before purchasing a house

Purchasing a house is a huge event in anyone’s life, bringing with it lots of decisions and dilemmas which can seem daunting at first. Surround yourself with a good team of people who will be able to help you make the best decisions and ensure that things will run much more smoothly leaving you with less stress. I’ve decided to kick off my blog with building inspections because when you’re looking into investing in property, a building inspection can be the fastest way to educate yourself on things that you need to look out for.

Building Inspections

Once you have a house in mind, you’ll want to double triple check that everything is in full working order before you begin the purchasing process by employing a certified building inspector to carry out a full inspection on the property. It’s very important that you find an inspector who has proven experience and complies with the Australian standards required for Building and Timber Pest Inspections. It’s also hugely beneficial to find a building inspection company with Professional Indemnity Insurance, just in case anything goes wrong.

 

 Quick Turnaround?what to ask your building inspector

The property market doesn’t wait for people so you’ll want to ask your potential building inspector how long it would take for them to turn around the post inspection report. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 5-7 days for a report and knowing the results as soon as possible will help you to make quick decisions and avoid missing out.

 

As well as finding a building inspector who you trust to turn around a good report for you, you may also want to consider speaking to them about any potential issues they think are likely to arise or whether any of the systems within the property are nearing the end of their lifespan.

 

Access all areas?

There are many areas in a property that may be difficult to access or present safety issues for inspectors. Check with your potential building inspector whether they’ll be able to access and inspect the following:

  • Roof and Roof Space
  • Lofts
  • Under floorboards
  • Patios and Decking

 

Bad Results?

Very few properties will be completely flawless. Even New Construction homes should always have building inspections before you purchase them so never take it for granted that things will be fine.

Another thing to consider is whether your home is nearby to a childcare adelaide centre – especially if you have kids!

Talk to your potential building inspector about how they may be able to help with any findings that they present to you in their report. Although inspection companies will always remain independent and should not offer quotes or estimates for renovation work, they may have good links with building companies or be able to recommend people who can help.

 

Attending the Building Inspection

You’ll want to ask your potential building inspector whether you are able to attend the inspection with them. Although many companies discourage this, it can in fact be very useful for you to accompany them and take pictures if needed. This will help you to visualize areas or issues that may be mentioned in the report and enable you to really understand and get the most from it.

 

Government websites are also fantastic sources for tips, advice and policies about purchasing a house and what to know. Check out sa.gov.au for more Adelaide-related information… or wait for my next post!