Understanding The Purpose & Significance Of A Building Inspection Report

A typical building and pest inspection in Sunshine Coast or anywhere within Australia aims at identifying and locating all defects and timber pest infestations in a property. In addition to that, it also provides a buyer ammunition for negotiating the cost and ruling out the property in case the defects identified are serious. In other words, a building inspection report speaks of anything and everything wrong within a building.

While getting a prepurchase pest and building inspection in Sunshine Coast, it is wrong to speculate that the report would be like a flawless score card. Someone proceeding with that kind of an assumption would never be able to buy anything. Instead, a buyer should expect the report to point out the defects as well as their severity. That information would help a lot in determining the necessary repairs and making a smart overall assessment.

It is often seen that buyers freak out after receiving inspection report for an older structure. However, it is okay for buildings erected a long time ago to have flaws. Houses were not constructed using advanced techniques back then, and the materials utilised were also different. Moreover, if somebody wants to purchase a property of a particular period, they must get used to seeing defects in an inspection report. For instance, terraces of Victorian style buildings generally do not have a damp proof course. But people who are not cognizant of this will see this issue as a problem, even though it is generic.

If a report looks complicated with plenty of details and disclaimers, it is more likely that the hired building inspector has done his or her job properly. In case something in the document seems incomprehensible, it must be communicated to the inspector at once. Seeking advice from a solicitor can also be helpful.

It is not right to rule out a property simply because it has got defects. The best way to understand the importance of identifying flaws existing within a property is by talking with the inspector on site. He or she would be able to point out significant issues and help to make a rough estimate of the rectification costs. At the end of the day, these costs would help the buyer in dropping off a substantial amount from the offer.

There are still many people who overlook the benefits of a building inspection. Buying a property is one of the most important investments in anyone’s life. And a proper pest and building inspection can help in ensuring that the investment does not go into waste.

Risks Involved In Hiring An Uninsured Building Inspector

It is quite common among property owners in Sunshine Coast and other parts of Australia to expect a building and pest inspector to be insured adequately for public liability as well as professional indemnity. However, many of them do not realise the fact that insurance is not something mandatory for property inspectors to have due to the current Australian Standards.

Numerous home purchasers still neglect the significance of hiring an insured professional for pest and building inspection in Sunshine Coast. They fail to realise the risks involved in appointing an uninsured one. In case the inspector misses a fault during the assessment which later results in substantial financial loss for the owner, even a long court battle might be in vain and help to get zero reimbursement. Besides owners, a building inspector can suffer considerably as well if they do not have any public liability or professional indemnity coverage. They would also be affected financially in case a client takes legal step against them.

Professional indemnity and public liability coverage for building inspectors covers more than just errors. It also takes care of bodily injuries and property damage. For instance, if the ladder of a property inspector falls and causes him injury or damage to the property, the insurance would cover the mishap.

Except for Queensland, the building inspection industry in all states of Australia is not properly regulated. As such, the industry is more or less filled with plenty of inexperienced amateurs who do not even possess proper training. In such a scenario where almost any inspector can be inefficient (except for those working with reputed firms), it is important to ensure that the professional being chosen for assessing the condition of a property has an adequate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.

There are several things that one must keep in mind while considering a pre-purchase property inspector for hire. The professional must be asked certain questions, such as if they have a proper insurance, whether they have been prosecuted professionally or not in the past, how many assessments have the done during the last 11 or 12 months, what is their reputation among clients, and so on. It is also necessary to enquire about the qualifications and experience of a building inspector. These things would not only provide protection against poorly done inspections, but also help to stay safe from unnecessary financial losses. 

Different Types of Building Inspections

In general, a building inspection is done essentially to check for defects or pests within a property. It is often performed prior to purchasing a house, after completion of a structure or after renovations. The length of time required for arranging a building inspection depends on a number of factors - the type of assessment necessitated, availability of real estate agents and inspectors, the kind of structure and access to the involved property. Let’s have a look at one of the most important factors in detail, different types of building inspections:

Building Inspection

A building inspection covers a wide range of elements of a property and is generally aimed at assessing its condition accurately and thoroughly in order to identify any major maintenance issues and structural defects. All areas are checked meticulously for ensuring that they are constructurally sound. These may include interior and exterior of the property, subfloor space, roof space, garages, verandas, carports, etc.

Timber Pest Inspection

This type usually covers pests such as termites, wood rot, fungal decays and borers. It is carried out for detecting the evidence of past or active damage inflicted by them. The assessment also identifies issues which can hike up the risks of infestations, so as to implement suitable modifications. Nowadays, many assessments make use of thermal imaging for achieving effective results quickly.

Defect Inspection

As the name suggests, this one is performed for assessing the status of a property and identifying the reason for any structural problem. It usually comes with suggestions for repairing current defects and maintenance recommendations to ensure the durability of various structural elements.

New Home Stage Inspection

This one has been designed for monitoring important stages of a construction and recognising defects before they are covered up by the subsequent stages. It generally ensures that the construction is being carried out as per Building Regulations, Building Code of Australia and Australian Standards. It is further divided into four sub-categories - pre-slab, frame, pre-plaster and pre-final.

While looking for an effective inspector to get a thorough building and pest inspection in Sunshine Coast, Bondi or any other region in Australia, it is important to consider certain important factors like qualifications, training, accreditation and experience for getting cost-effective services. For protection and peace of mind, it must also be ensured that the professional being hired has public liability as well as indemnity insurance cover from a trusted insurance provider. 

What Happens When a Building Gets Adverse Inspection Report?

When a building inspector is hired for assessing the condition of a property prior to its purchase, there are always chances for the report to show at least one or more defects. If such a thing happens, the options available to you will rely on the kind of agreement you have made with the owner of the property. Let’s have a look at some of those options:

• If the defect is quite severe or serious in nature, you have the right to cancel the contract.

• In case the defect which has been revealed during the inspection is minimal, the owner can request for an opportunity to solve the issue for completion of the sale.

• Major defects can also be rectified by the owner, but only if he or she is willing to extend the contract period.

• You might be given the choice of re-negotiating the sale price for accommodating the defect as well as its subsequent impact.

When you are about to purchase a residential or commercial property in Sunshine Coast, you sign a contract with the vendor. This contract or agreement consists of terms that are agreed upon by you as well as the seller. Contracts for real estates are mostly conditional - there are certain conditions which must be met prior to finalisation of the deal. These conditions are generally associated with finance and prepurchase building and pest inspection in Sunshine Coast. In case the property fails a legal building inspection, you can annul the agreement without any penalty.

While entering upon a conditional agreement, make sure that you go through the terms and conditions meticulously. Contracts can vary and therefore, make sure what you are considering as an unsatisfactory inspection report has been stated in the agreement. If you feel like you might be able to withdraw yourself from a contract due to a failed building inspection or adverse report, seek out legal guidance as soon as possible.

At the time of making arrangements for an inspection, discuss your concerns clearly with the inspector and mention what you wish to be assessed. Once the assessment is complete, make sure that you read the report very carefully. Look for some specific defects, such as issues with foundation or drainage of the property. On the pest report, you must be on the lookout for problems involving termite and rat infestations.