Everything you need to know about finding a Building Inspector

If you are building, renovating, thinking of buying a new property, or even living in an existing property, chances are that you will need some form of inspection at some stage, whether it is for the building or for pests. Engaging the services of inspection professionals means that you will have peace of mind when buying, building or renovating. You will also rest assured that pests are not damaging your property. We outline the most common inspection services below.

© Down Under Building and Pest Inspections

Pre Purchase Property Inspection

The purpose of a pre-purchase property inspection is to let you know about the condition of a property before you buy it.

Building inspections are normally done before contracts are signed. They are great for letting you know of the hidden costs that may be associated with a property in regards to repairs that need to be carried out and can be a useful bargaining tool when it comes to price negotiations.

The inspection should cover the interior and exterior of the building, the roof space, underfloor space, the exterior of the roof and the site itself. It should also cover the driveways, retaining walls and outbuildings, wiring and plumbing. Building inspections usually do not include an estimate of the cost of repair, minor defects, or the detection of termites. If you are worried about termites, you will need a pest inspection (see pest inspections). Some professionals offer building and pest inspections.

See pre-purchase property inspections for more information.

Completion/Defects Reports

A completion/defects report is obtained once construction of the property has been completed. It can also be used to check any additions or extensions made to the property.

See completion/defects reports for more information.

Dilapidation Reports

A dilapidation report is a great idea if a neighbouring construction is causing you concern, as it can identify the damage that the nearby structure is causing to your property.

See dilapidation reports for more information.

Owner/Builder Reports

If you are an owner-builder, carrying out an owner/builder report can be worthwhile and is required if you want to sell your home. The report covers all structural elements of the home as well as non-structural elements, outlining defects or work that was not carried out to a satisfactory standard.

See owner/builder reports for more information.

Home Owner Warranty Reports

This report outlines all defects of incorrectly completed work in a property that has been built by an owner builder. The report is required for the owner builder to obtain home warranty insurance.

See home owner warranty reports for more information.

Pre-Purchase Building Reports

These reports are the same as the pre purchase property inspection report with the difference that is the vendor or seller of the property that gains the report. Vendors will give a copy of the report to any interested buyer so that they can see the condition of the property without having to wait for their own inspection to be conducted.

See pre-purchase building reports for more information.

Expert Witness Reports

If you are not satisfied with an element of a building you have purchased, you can dispute it through an expert witness report. The report covers defects, sub-standard work, damp problems, termite damage, cracking and other damages.

See expert witness reports for more information.

Fire Protection Inspections

A fire protection inspection evaluates your property to ensure the fire protection systems are adequate.

See fire protection inspections for more information.

Commercial Inspection Services

This inspection helps to determine the condition of a commercial property, usually before purchase. The inspection addresses areas such as plumbing, wiring, drainage, mechanical components, car parks and the structural condition of walls, flooring and roofs and stairways.

See commercial inspection services for more information.