Is a Building Inspection Really Necessary?

Property is the biggest asset you will ever buy.

And it would be crazy to commit to purchase without knowing that the property is generally sound and has been maintained reasonably well. Think about any other large expense, like buying a boat, a car or high-end appliances – you surely would want to have at least some form of warranty provided.

Unfortunately, there is no warranty when it comes to buying an established home so it’s vital that you make sure you are not buying a lemon.

Buying “as new”.

During your property hunt, you’ll notice that many homes are marketed as being in “as new” condition. However, the reality is that all established properties require regular care and maintenance. Things like rising damp, mould, pests, water leaks etc. develop over time and can sometimes go unnoticed by emotional buyers. So unless you are buying a brand new house – “as new” just doesn’t cut it.

So why do you need a Building Inspection?

A Building & Timber Pest Inspection Report will give you an idea of how this property compares to others of a similar age and/or type. Good providers will also offer a follow-up service where you can have a conversation with a qualified inspector about the property.

Even if you know someone with building experience, it is often better to get a third party to carry out your Building & Pest Inspection. This ensures an unemotional opinion on the property while a friend might tell you what you want to hear. A building inspector will also put their findings in writing, giving you a formal record of their inspection.

How to tell a good Building Inspector apart?

•  Above all, building inspections must be carried out by experienced and appropriately qualified people. Ask for proof of a builder’s license or related qualification and find out how long they have been doing inspections.
• A building inspector should have current professional indemnity insurance. Ask for a certificate of currency.
• Make sure you can follow-up with the inspector and ask questions about the report.
• And finally, don’t decide purely on price. Inspections aren’t cheap, but keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for.

What will the Inspection cover?

A Building Inspection is a visual inspection of the property, meaning that the inspector can’t do anything invasive at the property because it is not their property. And while the inspector will look at all accessible areas of the house (including roof, roof void and any subfloor areas) to identify major defects and safety issues at the property – any inspection will have some limitations. For example, the inspector is unable to move things around as any damage caused during the inspection is their liability. As a result, there might be areas that can’t be inspected.

If you are selling a property, please make it as easy as possible for an inspector to reach all parts of your home. It might be the difference between getting a sale or not. Watch our video series to get some tips on how to prepare your home for an inspection.

Discussing the findings.

The inspector’s findings and any access limitations will be recorded in the Building & Timber Pest Inspection Report. It will usually also include photos of problem areas to give you a better understanding of the issue.

But a really important part of the inspection process is a follow-up conversation with the inspector so you can ask for more information or explanations about building issues you might not properly understand. These conversations can sometimes make a big difference to how confident you feel about making your decision about the property.

Want to get an EYEON Inspection Report?

No problems, our service is easy to arrange!

You can also download our Buyers Guide for more helpful tips.

Best Regards,
The EYEON Property Inspections Team

At EYEON Property Inspections, we help you buy and sell with more confidence.