A structurally sound building is a must
when you’re buying or selling
Find out why you need an inspection
We are Adelaide’s most trusted inspectors, offering free quotes and prices to residents in Adelaide from accredited building inspectors. Locally owned and operated, we help hundreds of people every year make the right decision when purchasing their first home, investment property or their dream home.
Using the latest technology and their vast building experience, our inspectors known how defects are formed and exactly what details to look for. We place great emphasis on customer service and provide consistently high-quality service, with the fastest turnaround times in Adelaide.
With post- or pre-purchase inspection options, we have the best inspectors working right the way across Adelaide, from Glenelg to the Hills.
Protect your possible investment by having it inspected by a Licensed Builder. Please, before asking how much an inspection will cost find out what qualifications they have and make sure they are suitable.
“Amazing service and very detailed report – fully recommended!”
Ben Atkinson
Buying a home is likely to be the most expensive purchase of your life – so it goes without saying that you want to make sure it’s a smart one. In addition to a pre-purchase building inspection, organising for a timber pest inspection is crucial in guaranteeing the quality and safety of your potential new home.
Here’s what you need to know about timber pest inspections and why you should never buy a property before getting one.
How timber pests can affect your property
There are a few common timber pests that any good inspector will look out for. Here are the worst offenders and how they can impact your home:
Termites: These critters are the most common timber pests, eating their way through timber framing, doorways and flooring. Even worse, they often leave no trail of destruction, making it hard to identify that there is something wrong.
Decay: Timber decay or ‘timber rot’ can deteriorate the strength of the wood in your home. When timber structures and flooring are affected, the timber may become so weak that it causes a serious safety risk to anyone living in the home.
Borers: A wood boring insect will dig tunnels into timber, causing small holes and discolouration in affected areas.
The risks of buying before inspecting
The last thing you want is to excitedly move into your new home, only to find that it’s infested with timber pests. Unfortunately, the only way you can safeguard yourself against this possibility is with a pre-purchase pest inspection. Without one, you risk…
Overpaying for a property: With help from an experienced pest inspector, you can make sure that the property doesn’t have any infestation issues that affect its value. If your pest report comes back with some issues, you have the ability to walk away from the sale or negotiate a better deal with the vendor.
Expensive repair costs: The issues caused by timber pests to the flooring, doorways and structure of your home can run up a huge bill. Due to the extensive nature of these problems, you could easily spend thousands of dollars fixing them.
Safety issues: The safety of the people living in your home – whether it’s friends, family or tenants – is paramount. Unfortunately, when timber pests attack the structure of your property, they can leave it vulnerable to degradation that can put you at risk.
Finding a great timber pest inspector in Adelaide
With this in mind, it’s vital that you organise for a pre-purchase timber pest inspection before buying a home. Qualified, experienced professionals will not only identify any existing pest problems, but can usually tell you whether the current state of the house puts it at risk of infestation in the future.
Here at Building Inspections Adelaide, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive building inspections that you can count on. Get in touch with us today to organise your free quote!
April 18, 2019
You’ve taken all the necessary steps to ensure this is a potential property for you, so now it’s time to get serious. Before you sign that dotted line, you’ll want to get the opinion of an unbiased professional who can take you through the condition of the property and help you avoid those nasty surprises.
As with any product or service, it’s important to do your research to choose an inspector that is right for you. After all, a subpar inspection will get you no closer to making an informed decision. So how should you go about choosing a building inspector?
Ask a friend
Chances are someone in your family or friendship circle has bought their own property in the past. Asking people you know is a great first step as it allows you to discuss how they went about finding an inspector themselves and why they decided to go with who they chose. During the conversation, ask about the inspector’s service quality, their process, their price and how quickly they were able to offer results.
Not only could this help you find an inspector that is right for you, it will also answer those questions you have about the process in general. So this is a great step for first home buyers who are new to the property buying game.
Pick a local
Once you’ve found a property you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research the suburb it’s located in. While you’re at it, why not find a building inspector who’s located in that area? Choosing a local will ensure you select someone with extensive knowledge of the types of properties in the suburb and the factors that may be cause for concern.
Not only will you get some insider knowledge of the community you might be joining, you’ll pick an inspector that will probably be able to offer a quick turnaround time.
Ask the online experts
To find out what a service is really like, you need to ask the people in the know: reviewers. Google reviews are a great place to get a heap of honest feedback about their experience with a service provider.
Of course, it’s important to note that it’s rare for a business to have five stars every single time and a little variation is expected. However, have a look at the written reviews and see if there are common themes that are appearing. Do many reviews rave about the friendly service, the low prices and the fast service? Or are many highlighting the lack of communication or horror stories? A one-off story may not be cause for concern, but a bunch of people saying similar things cannot be ignored.
Start a chat
Finally, once you’ve done a bit of research, select a business you think might show some potential and give them a call. Having a quick chat is the best way to get to know a business and make sure they offer the services you’re after. If their friendly, willing to help and offer the services you need at the right price, you’ve got yourself a winner.
April 16, 2019
It’s enough to make any renter or home owner panic. Mould.
More than just being unsightly, mould can devastating effects throughout a property and can even affect your health. So what causes it? And what steps can be taken to remedy or prevent it? Here we’ll cover some information you’ll need to know before tackling the issue in your home.
What causes it?
Before you can look at removing or preventing the growth of mould, you need to know how it gets there in the first place. Put simply, mould is caused by excess moisture, humidity and condensation. Now, what causes these factors is going to vary. In some instances it may be a matter of air flow, in others it could be something more sinister, such as a leak in your wall from a burst pipe.
Step 1 – Identify the issues
The first thing you’ll need to do is complete an audit of the home. Where are the trouble areas? Is it limited to just one area of the home? Have you noticed it’s mostly near windows? This audit might take some time and it’s important to be thorough; mould can grow anywhere from walls and ceilings to carpets, clothing and behind tiles and walls. If a major leak or drainage issues are the culprit, these will need to be fixed ASAP.
While you’ll notice mould inside, it could be because of what’s happening outside. Make sure gutters and downpipes are in good condition and water is being successfully directed away from your property.
Step 2 – Get rid of the water
Mould needs moisture in order to thrive, so taking this away will go a long way in removal and prevention. Mop or soak up spills straight away. If walls and floors are damp after your shower, wipe these dry with a towel. Air dry damp clothing straight away. If there are items that can’t be dried completely, due to flooding for example, it’s best to remove these from the home.
Step 3 – Don’t forget the moisture in the air
Been cooking up a storm in the kitchen? Love those long, hot showers? Don’t forget about those activities that can boost the level of moisture in the air. Proper ventilation is key here. Open those windows, put on the fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. Dehumidifiers can also be helpful when ventilation alone isn’t enough. If you do purchase a dehumidifier, remember to clean these regularly.
Step 4 – Remember this is a process to repeat
Mould can come back, and keeping it at bay is an ongoing battle. Regularly audit your home and keep on top of moisture levels – especially if the weather in your area is particularly humid. Keep a range of natural mould killers, such as vinegar, in the cupboard for quick use whenever required. With ongoing attention and clever prevention tactics, your home can be mould free.
