A building inspection is a detailed report on the current condition of a property containing independent advice to help you confidently make an informed decision, based on your findings. It lets you know upfront what sort of maintenance and repairs a property needs and what its minor or major flaws are.
Building inspections are important whether in pre-purchase, pre-sale, staged new build or dilapidation, and are beneficial to both the buyer and seller.
Importance for buyers
Building inspections help to safeguard buyers against committing to properties with hidden problems and faults that could cost them significantly in the long run. It ensures buyers have a thorough understanding of the overall condition of a property, including structural, non-structural, safety and maintenance items, are informed about likely defects and costs, and have professional advice about particular concerns. It gives buyers full-disclosure and peace of mind about what exactly they are getting for their investment.
Importance for sellers
Building inspections can prevent unexpected surprises at the negotiating stage, allowing sellers to retain control of the process. Building inspections eliminate delays that hold up the sale, give sellers time to make repairs that would benefit the sale, ensures they are not inconvenienced by continual inspections, and helps properties sell faster. They can also increase the value of a property in the long run, giving sellers an edge over their competition.
What to look out for when getting a building inspection
A building inspection should be carried out by a qualified building inspector who holds a builders’ licence and relevant industry memberships. In South Australia, a formal qualification is not required to carry out a building inspection so make sure you check that the person conducting yours has relevant experience.
The building inspector will examine the property from top to bottom, checking for signs of flaws or damage. They should thoroughly assess all reasonable accessible and visible parts of a property, including the interior and exterior, roof space, underfloor space, roof exterior, and the actual site. A separate pest inspection report can be carried out at the same time.
After the inspection you should receive a comprehensive, easy-to-understand report, complete with recommendations. For more information about Building Inspections Adelaide you can call us at 1300 155 688.
